Organic fertilizer

[GinaStarSeed]

I really want to use the all organic Quantum Orchid fertilizer. Can I use this with semi-hydroponics? Please explain why and/or why not. Thank you so much.

[Ray]

Quantum Orchid is not a fertilizer. It is a probiotic supplement that can be used in addition to fertilizer.

I would steer you away from it to Inocucor Garden Solution though, as it is also a probiotic supplement, but one that contains many more species of living beneficial microorganisms, making it more effective, it costs less, and has free shipping in the US. Yes, I sell it, but that is not why I'm trying to redirect you; it's just a much better product (which is why I sell it...).

Back to fertilizers for a moment, you're not going to find an organic fertilizer that is adequate for your plants. Organic fertilizers are simply lacking in micronutrients. They also tend not to be particularly water-soluble, being intended to be incorporated in soils, where native microorganisms can break it down into soluble ions.

[GinaStarSeed]

Originally Posted by Ray

Quantum Orchid is not a fertilizer. It is a probiotic supplement that can be used in addition to fertilizer.

I would steer you away from it to Inocucor Garden Solution though, as it is also a probiotic supplement, but one that contains many more species of living beneficial microorganisms, making it more effective, it costs less, and has free shipping in the US. Yes, I sell it, but that is not why I'm trying to redirect you; it's just a much better product (which is why I sell it...).

Back to fertilizers for a moment, you're not going to find an organic fertilizer that is adequate for your plants. Organic fertilizers are simply lacking in micronutrients. They also tend not to be particularly water-soluble, being intended to be incorporated in soils, where native microorganisms can break it down into soluble ions.

What fertilizer do you recommend? Are there any water soluble organic ones?

---------- Post added at 11:24 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:57 AM ----------

What about this one?

Amazon.com : Jobe's Organics Orchid Fertilizer, 6-1-1 Water Soluble Plant Food Mix with Biozome, 5 oz Box Makes 15 Gallons of Organic Liquid Fertilizer : Garden & Outdoor

[Ray]

Did you look at the label? Only 1.2% of the nitrogen is soluble, and the balance of the nutrient supply comes from inorganic salts that are used in standard fertilizers.

If you want a really good feeding regimen that is proven to be effective in both hydroponic and traditional culture, take a look at THIS.

Let me add that your quest for purely organic, while commendable, is probably a wasted effort. The nutrient ions absorbed by the plants are chemically identical, whether from an organic or inorganic source, so making them be available (i.e., soluble) for absorption is the important factor, one for which the inorganics win hands down. One might argue that urea is an organic nitrogen source, but I'd bet that any of that you can purchase has been produced in a chemical plant.

[GinaStarSeed]

Originally Posted by Ray

Did you look at the label? Only 1.2% of the nitrogen is soluble, and the balance of the nutrient supply comes from inorganic salts that are used in standard fertilizers.

If you want a really good feeding regimen that is proven to be effective in both hydroponic and traditional culture, take a look at THIS.

Let me add that your quest for purely organic, while commendable, is probably a wasted effort. The nutrient ions absorbed by the plants are chemically identical, whether from an organic or inorganic source, so making them be available (i.e., soluble) for absorption is the important factor, one for which the inorganics win hands down. One might argue that urea is an organic nitrogen source, but I'd bet that any of that you can purchase has been produced in a chemical plant.

Ray, I cannot get your website to work. I go to the retail store section and try to click the categories menu bar and nothing happens?

[fishmom]

Hmm. I'm using Firefox on a Mac, and it works fine, both using the link Ray provided and going to shop.firstrays.com first.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by GinaStarSeed

Ray, I cannot get your website to work. I go to the retail store section and try to click the categories menu bar and nothing happens?

Must be something on your end, as it is working fine...

Have you cleared your browser cache recently?