Nutricote + Basacote + Fertilizer + Dosage + Expert Advice

[empiref]

Hello all,

I wanted to know if I can use Nutricote with my Semi-Hydro setup. I was thinking of splitting the pellets into 4 equal amounts and placing them into a small pantyhose bags and burying them about an inch deep inside the Hydroton. I posted a thread on the Semi-Hydro section of this forum and Ray said that there's no problem.

I didn't find any Nutricote in my country, instead I found a fertilizer called Basacote manufactured in Germany.

Basacote Plus 6M (16-8-12) also a fully coated controlled release fertilizer similar to Nutricote (13-13-13)
I have attached 2 files of the components of the fertilizer.

http://www.compo-expert.com/fileadmi...6M_16-8-12.pdf

http://www.compo-expert.com/fileadmi...ote_neu_01.pdf

The fact sheet recommends for Container nursery stock, Potplants, Bedding and balcony plants in g/l
2,0-2,5 g/l for low nutrient requirement
2,5-3,5 g/l for medium nutrient requirement
3,5-4,5 g/l for high nutrient requirement

Here's the grow sheet for the Nutricote (13-13-13) 180 Days:

http://florikan.com/growsheets/13-13-13-180ss.pdf

I also read on this forum that someone heard in an orchid class through an expert that you should use 3-4 pellets of slow release fertilizer per inch in diameter of pot.

How much should I use on my orchids if I factor in the volume of each pot, and can I use it on all orchids including seedlings?

Thank you in advance for your time and help and best regards to all.

[DavidCampen]

I don't do semi-hydro so hopefully someone else will have a better answer:

It would seem to be difficult to calculate the correct amount when using a controlled release material in semi-hydro. The problem is what assumption to make about how fast the nutrients are released from the coated prills.

If you were to crush the prills to make a quick release material then the question would be easier to answer.

Are there really no inexpensive water soluble fertilizers available to you?

[empiref]

Originally Posted by DavidCampen

I don't do semi-hydro so hopefully someone else will have a better answer:

It would seem to be difficult to calculate the correct amount when using a controlled release material in semi-hydro. The problem is what assumption to make about how fast the nutrients are released from the coated prills.

If you were to crush the prills to make a quick release material then the question would be easier to answer.

Are there really no inexpensive water soluble fertilizers available to you?

DavidCampen,

I am going to put them on top of the medium in pantyhose bags.

My only concern is should I be using the amount that the manufacturer advises? and can I use it on all my orchids?

Thank for your help.

[Ray]

My understanding is that moisture content does not affect those, but that the release rate - once saturated - is entirely temperature controlled.

I don't use the controlled-release fertilizers, but folks I know that do use about a teaspoon per inch of pot diameter, and still supplement with solubles.

Personally, I think it takes away control and introduces too much of an unknown.

[empiref]

Originally Posted by Ray

My understanding is that moisture content does not affect those, but that the release rate - once saturated - is entirely temperature controlled.

I don't use the controlled-release fertilizers, but folks I know that do use about a teaspoon per inch of pot diameter, and still supplement with solubles.

Personally, I think it takes away control and introduces too much of an unknown.

Thank you Ray!