Slow-release fertilizers
 

I've noticed slow-release fertilizer capsules (pellets? like Osmocote,
Nutricote) in the mix of some recently purchased orchids when I went to
repot. I've noticed it in catts and phals. Is there any reason to not use
these fertilizers if you supplement with an occassional spray including
micros, Mg and Ca? Are there any orchids that react negatively to these
fertilizers? Or at least not positively? I'm not trying to be lazy about
this. I love my orchids which is why I have too many for my declining
health. I'd like to hold on to them and keep them healthy while cutting back
on the work so that I can hold on to them and keep them healthy. Fertilizing
both greenhouses even on different days can set me back for the rest of the
week. Who can enjoy that? If these fertilizers can help me any anyone else
in this position, I'd appreciate any iinfo available. Thanks.
Gary

I haven't tried them much myself, but I've mostly heard of people (including
a couple commercial growers) using Nutricote. I've heard Dynamite might be
ok, and you should stay away from Osmocote for this use because it doesn't
regulate the delivery of the fertilizer very well. I'm sure there are other
brands of slow release fertilizer around (Crystal Co. sells something called
"Throw & Grow" that's supposed to work on orchids) that I haven't heard
anything about.

Do you have fertilizer injectors (Dosatron, Dosmatic, etc.) in your
greenhouses? They make fertilizing just as easy as normal watering. They
cost a lot but I've found mine to be worth it.

-danny

"V_coerulea" wrote in message
. ..
I've noticed slow-release fertilizer capsules (pellets? like Osmocote,
Nutricote) in the mix of some recently purchased orchids when I went to
repot. I've noticed it in catts and phals. Is there any reason to not use
these fertilizers if you supplement with an occassional spray including
micros, Mg and Ca? Are there any orchids that react negatively to these
fertilizers? Or at least not positively? I'm not trying to be lazy about
this. I love my orchids which is why I have too many for my declining
health. I'd like to hold on to them and keep them healthy while cutting
back
on the work so that I can hold on to them and keep them healthy.
Fertilizing
both greenhouses even on different days can set me back for the rest of
the
week. Who can enjoy that? If these fertilizers can help me any anyone
else
in this position, I'd appreciate any iinfo available. Thanks.
Gary

Gary,

We use Dynamite, and it does add something. Dynamite 13-13-13 contains
micronutrients in higher amounts than DynaGro 7-9-5. Of course, that is a
little misleading, since the time release doesn't put out the same amount of
fertilizer per watering that the plants would get through a normal
fertilization. Osmocote has been shown to "blast" with some types of water,
sending huge amounts of nutrients out all in one or two waterings. I don't
remember the composition of Osmocote, but would not recommend it, especially
if one is using well water.

My back betrays me from time to time, especially if I stay on my feet for
long periods of time (oddly, running on a treadmill for ages has the
opposite effect - go figure!). What we do is to fertilize every two weeks
using 1 tsp. per gallon, and we've never seen any ill effects from doing
this, despite the conventional, and no doubt correct, admonition to water
"weekly, weakly".

Maybe that would work for you, doing one GH weekly, alternating. In
conjunction with time release, could be a problem solver.

HTH

Diana

Regular spraying is better, but when there is a specific need, time-release
can help. E.g., I recommend that my snowbird customers use it before they
head north for the summer, leaving their orchids for Mother Nature to
babysit for weeks or months. Do take into account any orchids you have
which require a winter "fast" ...
--
Kenni Judd
Juno Beach Orchids
http://www.jborchids.com

"V_coerulea" wrote in message
. ..
I've noticed slow-release fertilizer capsules (pellets? like Osmocote,
Nutricote) in the mix of some recently purchased orchids when I went to
repot. I've noticed it in catts and phals. Is there any reason to not use
these fertilizers if you supplement with an occassional spray including
micros, Mg and Ca? Are there any orchids that react negatively to these
fertilizers? Or at least not positively? I'm not trying to be lazy about
this. I love my orchids which is why I have too many for my declining
health. I'd like to hold on to them and keep them healthy while cutting
back
on the work so that I can hold on to them and keep them healthy.
Fertilizing
both greenhouses even on different days can set me back for the rest of
the
week. Who can enjoy that? If these fertilizers can help me any anyone
else
in this position, I'd appreciate any iinfo available. Thanks.
Gary