New Fertilizer...

[Vanda lover]

I'm using Shultz because that was all that was available. It seems to work fine even for vandas in sphag and charcoal, but I do sometimes soak the roots of the plant in clear water to prevent buildup. I think if the plant is bare root that there would be no chance of build up problems, but I don't like watering that huge plant daily. I have to put it in the bathtub when indoors.

[Bud]

I am in constant search of a fertilizer that doesnt leave residue on the leaves...especially on my vanda center braids...it is hard to brush it off

[camille1585]

I found a great fertilizer from Algoflash that leaves nearly no residue. I had switched to Orchid Focus for a while, but it left horrible horrible white residues over everything. So now it's back to the Algoflash! I don't think it exists over in the US though. I don't even find in the Netherlands, have to buy it during my trips home to France.

[Bud]

I have been using Algoflash for more than a year now...it still gives me residue...but not as much as the other fertilizers...I can get it from Tindara Orchid Supplies here in the USA...
maybe its the seaweed and worm tea mix I use to alternate with Algoflash...
my fertilizer regimen is down pat and works well with my plants...I guess I will just keep on brushing the plants clean of those residues...

[keithrs]

I have been using msu, k-lite, and "worm" teas with zero residue problems.

Maybe your using too much or you have lime in your water. I use 50-75 ppm N(about 1/8-1/4 tsp) in RO every watering.

[Vanda lover]

Minerals in your water make a huge difference. When we lived in Ontario we had white residue on everything. He there is none, and the dishes and pots that we brought with us had white on them before but it has gradually disappeared through washing with the water here. I used to go through a lot of vinegar before.

[Bud]

Manhattan tap water does not have residues neither does the rainwater that I collect...it must be the fertilizers ... I also flush the roots often especially with my plants on S/H...

[Vanda lover]

I notice that a rhynchocentrum that I bought from a grower has white on the leaves that doesn't come off very easily. I think that growers often spray the whole plant, whereas i just soak the roots. That's probably why I don't have residue.

[Bud]

I had the notion that the back of the leaves of some plants needs to be wet with fertilizer to absorb some of the nutrients...
but then theres some plants that dont want its leaves wet...so I dont do it to those kind of plants, I just wet the roots.
that is the dilemma I have with fertilizer deposits on some of my leaves

[Vanda lover]

That is puzzling.