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#1
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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 |
#2
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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 |
#3
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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 |
#4
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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 |
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