Best all round fertilizer

[BradGC]

Hey,

I'm currently using a mild fertilizer made in Aus and used fairly widely called "flower + grow" and so far it seems to be working well.
Just wondering what everyone's favourite fertalizer is for orchids?

[tucker85]

I've tried many different fertilizers. They all seem to work about the same. I try to use fertilizers that get a significant amount of the nitrogen from nitrate. Studies from Texas A&M University have shown that orchids utilize nitrogen from nitrate more readily than nitrogen from ammonia. Nitrogen from urea is even more difficult for orchids to use. I see you're in Australia. Ask some orchid growers or vendors, in your country, what they recommend. An orchid society is also a good source for information about what is available locally. Seaweed extracts are an excellent supplement. Maxsea is a fertilizer that combines both seaweed extract and a fertilizer in one. First Ray's also has a product that combines the two.

[Cym Ladye]

EVERYONE and I mean EVERYONE has an opinion on fertilizer, no matter how long they have been growing orchids! What works for one person, not only may not work for you but may be unavailable in your area/country.

You need to start your search by going to the tool bar on this forum site, click on the Search icon, pull down the box and type in fertilizer. Last time I looked, there were 500 threads on fertilizer! Read, read, read!

If that is not enough information to snaggle your brain, visit First Rays Orchids and read what Ray, who has done considerable research to back up his statements, has to say about fertilizer - what to use, when and why. Learn what nutrients orchids need and what time of year they are best used. Then you can make an educated decision on what you feel will be best for the orchid genera you grow in your location.



Cym Ladye

[magicatt]

I use grow more urea free. Got it off Amazon.com. The orchids seem to like it so I'm sticking with it till the container is gone. I use about a half tsp to a gallon of water every time I water. I've stopped for the winter though. Spring I'll start up again. Urea free is best for orchids. Doesn't really matter the brand.