A decent hose-end mixer can work, but it had better be a good one.

They, and the Hozon proportioners typically won't work with anything
downstream that restricts flow or creates much back-pressure, as they
use a venturi to draw and mix the solution.

The simplest, most reliable system I have seen is a submersible pump in
a plastic barrel.

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


-----Original Message-----
From: [mailto
Posted At: Thursday, July 23, 2009 2:33 PM
Posted To: rec.gardens.orchids
Conversation: Anyone know and easy way to fertilize lots of orchids
fast?
Subject: Anyone know and easy way to fertilize lots of orchids fast?

On Thu, 23 Jul 2009 16:31:57 GMT in
dusty
wrote:
I've been using Orchid fertilizer and a garden 2 gallon pump sprayer
but my
addiction has far exceeded its capabilities. So I'm wondering if
something
like a hose end sprayer like ortho makes would work. The problem I see
with
that is getting a proper mix. I'm open to ideas to fertilize a lot of
orchids in a short amount of time.

Orchids that I have are Cattleyas, Phalaenopsis, Oncidiums,
Dendrobiums,
and a few other odds and ends.

By the way did I mention cost effective? (cheap)

Any good and easily workable ideas are appreciated

I seem to recall one of Ray or Rob mentioning having the trashcan for
mixing fertilizer and using a shallow well pump for distributing the
fertilizer mix.

A 12V diaphragm pump will run you $50-$100
A 25 gallon ag sprayer with 12V 1GPM pump and 15 ft of sprayer hose
will run you about $120.

Now what I did discover is the miracle grow hose end sprayer doesn't
work worth a damn if hooked up to a soaker hose, insufficient flow
to dissolve the fertilizer. I'll probably pick up a couple
60 gallon barrels from a neighbor and see if I can feed a soaker
hose via siphon action for watering/fertilizing the garden.


--
Chris Dukes