time release fertilizer
 

Does anyone here use time release fertilizer on their orchids? If not why not? I notice that some plants that I buy from big growers have the little pellets in the mix. Good idea or not.....Jean

I use a balanced 12-12-12 slow release 6-mos formula on each pot after repotting/dividing. I would recommend it for any new grower with a small collection. Some fertilizer is better than none until they get the hang of using a formula which is diluted.

I use it w/everything in the Catasetum family...along w/the weekly liquid solution. I use Dynamite (the red container) and it supposedly lasts 9 months. They get it early in the season when I begin watering so that gives them extra fert during their heavy growth phase and by the end of the summer it's likely used up so I don't need to worry about fert when they are heading into dormancy.

I also use the time released on catts, some dens, phals, and a number of others...but only in the fall. I'm a bit lazy about fertilizing when the orchids are in the house (cold months) so I figure (as Cym Ladye mentioned) something is better than nothing.

The only thing I don't use it on are those plants that need to be very moist all the time. Moisture is the main catalyst for the fert to be released so I think it would dump the nutrients too heavy and to quickly in those set ups.

I've never had any problems (that I can recall) using it.

I also use it on Catasetum, but a bit differently. I grow my Catasetum in pots with layered substrates. The bottom half is composted manure and the top half is sphagnum. I put a little into the sphagnum to give them an early boost before the roots hit the nutrient rich compost layer.

I use it in Cyms, and have put some into some Catts in large pots - It has worked well for me in those cases. I have considered trying it in other orchids, but for whatever reasons, I haven't.