Microfeeding Bacteria to Orchids

[Ldrhawke]

Thanks for the input. Again we are on the same page in our thinking. I should have been more specific. I’m actually blending some Leca with the cork with a layer of Leca on the bottom of the pot, because it doesn’t break down and helps maintain air flow, and some dispersed throughout the cork. The cork I use I have cut up from virgin cork bark in my shop. When I say chunks I mean chunks, large pieces of cork. 1” and larger of bark.

One of the things I have discover is that using the large chunks of cork on the top layer of the pot is that it makes it easier to physically support and keep the orchid plant leaf stems in the pots from lying over without using bambo sticks. It’s softness and sponginess allows packing it in tight on the top layer to keep orchid growth more vertical and not bruise the orchid steams.

[Ray]

I think the issue with the cork used is the surface-to-volume ratio.

The smaller the ground cork, the greater that is, allowing faster population by the micro-critters.

[Ldrhawke]

Originally Posted by Ray

I think the issue with the cork used is the surface-to-volume ratio.

The smaller the ground cork, the greater that is, allowing faster population by the micro-critters.

Yes and No. You are forgetting your own website comments about the importance of gas exchange in the media. Once the micromebio bacteria uses up the oxygen inside the denser media, it dies and things go anaerobic if it can’t get air; which can cause all sorts of bad things to happen. Root rot fungus being one of many. Bacteria can start to die in minutes where the bacteria becomes oxygen starved.

Also, most do not realize that in the bacteria size world, a fraction of a mm is like miles. Bacteria doesn’t move around inside the media very much. Once the moist micro flim of water evaporates it
stays were it is and dies. Unless bacteria is in direct contact with the orchids roots, leaves, and rhizomes to start; it is not very beneficial in protecting the plant or giving it nutrients. This is why I feed often with a much denser more populated culture of micromebio than will normally grow in the media even under the most ideal conditions. Or even from the sugars the orchid tries to entice the bacteria with to grow around its roots and rhizomes.

[Ray]

Yep, I wasn’t considering the aeration factor.

No matter the mechanism, the apparent conversion from “pieces of cork” to “mush” seemed as quick as flipping a switch after many months of apparent stability.

[Ldrhawke]

Originally Posted by Ray

Yep, I wasn’t considering the aeration factor.

No matter the mechanism, the apparent conversion from “pieces of cork” to “mush” seemed as quick as flipping a switch after many months of apparent stability.

Maybe size matters....

[spes1959@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Ray

I now use Quantum-Total (identical to Quantum Orchid at a much better price), which has both nitrogen-fixing bacteria to make food from the air and photosynthetic species to boost fuel production for the plant.

I would like to know in what concentration you use quantum-total and how often you add it to your orchids.
Thanks

[Ray]

Originally Posted by spes1959@gmail.com

I would like to know in what concentration you use quantum-total and how often you add it to your orchids.
Thanks

The manufacturer recommends 2 ounces per gallon (1:64) applied every 2-3 weeks, but my recommendation (and practice) is to do that for 2-3 applications at first, to get the population “pumped up”, then I drop to 1/2 that, applied once a month.

[spes1959@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by Ray

The manufacturer recommends 2 ounces per gallon (1:64) applied every 2-3 weeks, but my recommendation (and practice) is to do that for 2-3 applications at first, to get the population “pumped up”, then I drop to 1/2 that, applied once a month.

thanks Ray

[DirtyCoconuts]

so, just a dovetail off the doseage- i use inococur to make 5 gallons of homebrew and i add it to all the sprayers all the time.....i still feed at almost every watering and kelpmax monthly but this brew all the time.


some plants are booming and some are normal but nothing shows any ill effects after maybe 5 months of daily use

---------- Post added at 08:50 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:49 AM ----------

oh, i forgot the strength.

i use 1.25 oz in 2 gallons of water

klite 1/3 tsp in 2 gallons

[Ray]

As far as I am aware, one cannot overdose the probiotics, but it can be a tremendous waste.

The plant and its rhizosphere can only support “so much” of a population. Reinforcing it is good, but constant use is sort-of like turning on the top to get a glass of water then not turning it off again.