Let's talk fertilizer

[drtd]

Who really has the best broad scope fertilizer for orchids? I know everyone has their favs and home recipes, but which store bought feed (liquid or slow release) is really the best? Anyone want to share their thoughts/experiences?

-Danny

[jeremyinsf]

What does 'store bought' mean to you?

I use K-Lite on all my orchids. It comes as a crystal/powder and I mix it up into a liquid concentrate.

I love it. Just had a giant bag delivered today!

[Tabbyblack13]

I use the MSU orchid fert. for all of my plants. I get the powdered version then mix it to the proper strength.

You also might want to look into supplemental feeding too.

[jeremyinsf]

Danny, just FYI, K-Lite is a modified version of the MSU type fertilizer. Same book, different chapter, so to speak.

[Bud]

I'm with Jeremy on this. Ever since I discovered k-lite last spring, I noticed a great improvement on my plants. Store bought slow release fertilizers pellets can not give accurate feeding to your plants=sometimes its too much or too little=it is not constant and you cannot monitor the dose.
You want to feed you orchids the correct amount and you can control the duration. Usually you want to feed weakly weekly as a general rule.

[tucker85]

Two of my favorite fertilizers that are readily available are Dyna-Gro Grow formula and Norman's Optimal Orchid Nutrients from Orchids.com. I also like the MSU fertilizers that contain calcium and magnesium. I also highly recommend using a seaweed or kelp supplement a couple times a month. Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed or KelpMax from Ray's are both good.

---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 AM ----------

I should have also mentioned that Dynamite slow release fertilizer, in the red can from Home Depot, is widely used by commercial growers here, in South Florida, for it's convenience. For very large orchid collections time release fertilizer might be a good option, but you have much more control over how much fertilizer your plants get if you use a liquid fertilizer.

[MaisyMay]

Originally Posted by tucker85

Two of my favorite fertilizers that are readily available are Dyna-Gro Grow formula and Norman's Optimal Orchid Nutrients from Orchids.com. I also like the MSU fertilizers that contain calcium and magnesium. I also highly recommend using a seaweed or kelp supplement a couple times a month. Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed or KelpMax from Ray's are both good.

---------- Post added at 10:34 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:57 AM ----------

I should have also mentioned that Dynamite slow release fertilizer, in the red can from Home Depot, is widely used by commercial growers here, in South Florida, for it's convenience. For very large orchid collections time release fertilizer might be a good option, but you have much more control over how much fertilizer your plants get if you use a liquid fertilizer.

Tucker85 is there a reason you use Dyna-Grow grow and not Dyna-Grow bloom? I was advised to use the "Bloom" at this time of year and the "Grow" in the summer. I also use liquid seaweed. I would love your advice, I really admire your beautiful Catt's.

[tucker85]

Originally Posted by MaisyMay

Tucker85 is there a reason you use Dyna-Grow grow and not Dyna-Grow bloom? I was advised to use the "Bloom" at this time of year and the "Grow" in the summer. I also use liquid seaweed. I would love your advice, I really admire your beautiful Catt's.

MaisyMay (I love that name), during the spring and summer, orchids need nitrogen to produce new growth. "Grow" fertilizer formulas have the right amount of nitrogen to support that growth. During the fall and winter orchids do not require as much nitrogen because they aren't growing as much. In fact blooming might be suppressed in some orchids if they get too much nitrogen. In order to limit the nitrogen, some growers just use much less fertilizer in the fall and winter or even no fertilizer at all. Other growers prefer to use "Bloom" formula fertilizers that contain less nitrogen and more phosphorus and potassium. There are several studies that say that "Bloom" fertilizers have no effect on orchids. I do occasionally use a "Bloom" fertilizer in the fall. It won't hurt the orchids and I feel like a few of my plants bloom better when I use it. I only use it two or three times in the fall. If you grow indoors where you control the light and temperature, fertilizing might be different. I grow outdoors and I don't have any experience with indoors growing.

[cbuchman]

I use MSU liquid formula from repotme,com. I also use MagiCal every two weeks since I have a calcium deficiency problem. Then, one a month I use KLN.

[drtd]

I really appreciate everyone's input! I think I will definitely give the Dyna grow a try :-)

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