Part of the problem with sugars is that they are sources of carbon, oxygen,
and hydrogen only - all of which the plants get routinely from water and
air - so provide very little of the 17 other ions the plants really need.
Honey may contribute more stuff, but I don't know that they are significant.

There's lots of info on plant nutrition on the web. I placed a brief
summary in the free info section at the URL below.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"Boystrup Pb, ann,..." wrote in message
e...
Hi, here a newbie speaking
I don't agree with the rest of you. I've experimented with this for over
a
year now. No bug problems or fungus invasions to report. I use sugar to
give
weaker plants a boost. (abused supermarket plants) That is a one time
treedment. Only the plants not with potmedia!!!

The honney on the other hand is used regularly. It contains a natural
antibiotic and that prevents the fungus invasion, it also has a big
nutritional value for the plants. I use honney for plants that like a lot
of
fertilizer. (pleione, catasetum, zygopethalum) But also for the other
plants
when they are actively growing. Chemical Fertilizers can damage the roots
when you aren't carefull, honney doesn't.

When I really started growing orchids in 2000, I found that the roots
didn't
do very well. I don't have rainwater and the water I use is pretty hard. I
used different fertilizers but nothing helped. Than I tried a fertilizer
from Akerne (B, once every 14 days 2ml/litre) and I started leaving my
water
in a bucket overnight. That did help a lot, but still because many of my
plants were in a windowsill at the time, I needed to give my plants an
extra boost during growth. (in the livingroom with a low humidity)

Extra fertilizer is out of the question and sugar does atract insects and
fungus!! So I started reading and asking for alternatives, and honney came
up several times, after asking a friend at the university I disited to try
it. Now I have used it in the windowsill and my mini greenhouse (higher
humidity). For over a year I have had no problems what so ever. Maybe I
might get problems in the future I don't know. Right now I take it one
step
at a time. When I get a good result with an experiment or tip from a
friend
I tend to stick with it. So until I get a better alternative or a bad
experience I'll keep on using it.

I use a teaspoon in 3 liters of water every 14 days.
My routine is basicly first weekend fertilizer and the next honney. And
during the week when nesessary just water.

This is just my own experience, not scientific facts. If you are
interested
just try it on a cheap plant and wait and see what will happen. If you do
try, let me know how it works out. Who knows, maybe I'm just very lucky
for
once

Good luck whatever you desite,
or good growing as I've read several times.

Peter