fertilizers

[fxxy]

What is being used the most indoors? I have been using the MU(?) stuff for several years, but suddenly my better half hears of someone using Schultz with great results. I have noticed that the brand lists N in the form of urea. thought that was no good. Any experiences out there???

[opaline]

Salts are in most ferts which is why we are advised to flush the media once a month will plain water only to reduce build up and toxicity. I use Tomorite and Vitax orchid feed (30.10.10 ) high in nitrogen with equal parts potassium/ phosphorus. The tomorite contains seaweed extract which is widely recommended and offers a alternative quantity of nutrients to balance the intake. Fed weekly in weak quantity, alternating each time. I do not feed for 3 months Nov, Dec, Jan. Tried Miracle grow ( blue crystals) but found this burnt roots easily so changed.

[Raver]

I always forget to fertilize my orchids and when i do i use this special blend that i get from this grower but it doesn't have a name. He gets it from his friend in Hawaii who uses it and it says it really good. i will try to get the name. Its 13-3-15 PLUS 8% Ca and 2% Mg.

[zrhanson]

I just actually got my first fertilizer in the mail from an online vendor. It's Grow More Orchid, and it's a 6-30-30. I have no idea if this is good at all, because I haven't tried it out yet... but it says "Orchid" on it, so it can't be all bad, right?

[opaline]

Yes Zachary definetly not bad at all. You have a similar equivalent to 'bloom booster' fert as opposed to general orchid growth fert ( green and root). Its is low in nitrogen .6 and high in phosphorous / potassium .30 .30. General grow would have the first digit higher hence my choice .30.10.10 (NPK) Nitrogen / phos/ potas and my alternate choice which is similar to yours to promote bloom strength. Hope that helps.

[cdayinflorida]

I use a non-urea based fert both 7-9-5 and a 3-12-6 every week during the season. I also supplement with seaweed extract every week. Towards fall and winter I use KNO3 weaning the plants off and don't fert during Dec., Jan and into the 1st part of Feb.

[orcoholic]

Just about any complete fertilizer will be fine.

I think the most important factor is to not use too much - keep it to about 400 ppm (1ms) - and keep your water's Ph around 6 - 6.5 to assure the orchid can use all the nutrients.

[Germinatorman]

I suggest mixing it up. I use a high nitrogen during the summer along with a seaweed extract. I use high phosphorus during the winter along with the seaweed extract. That is a generalization. The thing is - if your plant is in vegetative growth I would suggest high nitrogen. If your plant is dormant/resting I would use water only. If it is approaching bloom time I would use a high phosphorus. This gets tricky when you are dealing with many plants but the point is they do not all require the same thing at the same time, their calendars are not all the same. Oh, and some plants burn with just about any amount of fertilizer (Masd., Drac., etc.) To be safe, a weak application of a 12-12-12 all year long seems safe, as long as you keep it weak. I do swear by my seaweed extract though! Know your plant and know its needs.