perfect fertilizer

[radhasrikanth]

hello all,

Nitrogen(N)
phosphorus-44%
potash-K2O
MgO+S-8%
chelated Fe,Ze,Mn,Cu,and B,Mo-0.3%

nitrogen,phosphorus and potash all together 44%,this was the fertilzer which have used once,but i got replies that the phosphorus content was high so now i have one more fertlizer which my friend gave me labeled with the following



N:P:K -19:19:19
total N -19%
N as nitrate maximum-4%
N as ammonia minimum-4.50%
N as urea minmum- 10.5%

TOTAL PHOSPHORUS-19%
TOTAL POTASSIUM-19%
this is the ratio mentioned in the label , i am really confused which one to use please some advice.

[zainal abidin]

Hi Radha, relax take it easy.
N:P:K reflex the Nitogen Phosphate and Kalium (Potassium) most of the commercial fertilizer they will display the above ratio. N:P:K: 19:19:19 indicate that this fertilizer is good for the growing (balance) of young orchids ,also can be used for mature plants . N:P:K: 13:27:27 example this one mainly use for stimulate or encourage the formation of flower spikes. High Phosphate and high Potassium is very important for blooming in contrast high Nitrogen may inhibit the spikes formation and encourage growing of the plants.Hope this will help you.Good luck

[Germinatorman]

First of all there is no such thing as a Perfect fertilizer. Fertilizer is meant as a supplement and not as a complete food source. Whether you feed a balanced 19-19-19 or a Nitrogen rich or phosporous rich or potassium rich fertilizer depends on what you are trying to accomplish for your plant. Are you looking to make the plant grow, to bloom, to strengthen the existing plant? One item I would suggest - I never feed a fertilizer containing urea, I have experienced leaf tip burn using urea, just too hot, especially for plants like Masdevallia and Pleurothallids. Just my 2 cents worth.

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Hi Radha, relax take it easy.
N:P:K reflex the Nitogen Phosphate and Kalium (Potassium) most of the commercial fertilizer they will display the above ratio. N:P:K: 19:19:19 indicate that this fertilizer is good for the growing (balance) of young orchids ,also can be used for mature plants . N:P:K: 13:27:27 example this one mainly use for stimulate or encourage the formation of flower spikes. High Phosphate and high Potassium is very important for blooming in contrast high Nitrogen may inhibit the spikes formation and encourage growing of the plants.Hope this will help you.Good luck

First of all there is no such thing as a Perfect fertilizer. Fertilizer is meant as a supplement and not as a complete food source. Whether you feed a balanced 19-19-19 or a Nitrogen rich or phosporous rich or potassium rich fertilizer depends on what you are trying to accomplish for your plant. Are you looking to make the plant grow, to bloom, to strengthen the existing plant? One item I would suggest - I never feed a fertilizer containing urea, I have experienced leaf tip burn using urea, just too hot, especially for plants like Masdevallia and Pleurothallids. Just my 2 cents worth.

Thanks guys! Well said and informative.

Cheers,
BD

[Halloamey]

Hi Radha, the 19:19:19 ratio sounds perfect, but its contents are not, Urea at very low percentages 0.5-1 % is a food foliar feed, but at very high doses it is harmful for orchids. If you want to mix your own I could give you my recipe, or else it would be easy to buy in India, select the 18:18:18 formula, it has 10% Nirate NO3- nitrogen and 7.8 % Ammoniacal NH4+ nitrogen. Making it perfect.

[Germinatorman]

Amey, good recommendation. I also was just reading that in order for urea to break down to available nitrate requires a bacterial intervention, and it takes time.