Orchid Love Fertilizer

[silverstoli]

Has anyone used Orchid Love fertilizer? I saw it on an online site (big online site). Seems to be fish based and the reviews are very good. I've ordered some, but haven't used it yet.

[raybark]

Never heard of it until now, but their website seems like more hype than content, and I am concerned that they present no information anywhere about its contents or at least N-P-K formula (I have emailed them to find out). I will say that it is mighty expensive to use - from Amazon, its $15/quart, and even with no shipping costs, at the recommended 1-2 ounces per gallon, you're paying almost $0.50-$1.00 per gallon of solution. If you use a decent, proven orchid fertilizer like the MSU stuff, you'll pay more on the order of $0.04/gallon.

Editorial comment: There is NO fertilizer that is going to make your orchid plants do better. In fact, trying to "force feed" them will have the opposite effect. Orchids' demand for nutrition is VERY low.

[silverstoli]

Yes, bought it at a weak moment - late night internet shopping! It smells like fish emulsion fertilizer. All of my plants are doing extremely well so I am not looking for a miracle cure. Just thought they would enjoy something different once in while. (I also change my dog's food every four months :-) ) My normal fertilizer is Peters Cal-Mag Special 15-5-15-5-2 used weakly weekly.

My Vandas (which I've mostly acquired in the last two months or so) are putting on tons of roots. I have found that when they get shipped to me, most of the roots seem to slowly die off. However, I have used KelpMax with the Peters Cal-Mag on them for the first three weeks and that seems to help spawn new roots. It takes about 3 weeks for them to start. The roots most come to me with are long and thin - maybe from growing in a greenhouse. These slowly die off and are being replaced with big fat roots. I have them outside by the pool, full sun until about noon, then bright light the rest of the day. Actually all of my plants get the KelpMax and fertilizer routine for the first three weekly waterings and all are putting out tons of roots.

Let me know what you find out about this "Orchid Love". I can always throw it in my potted hibiscus, mandevilla, bougainvillea, etc...to use it up.

[raybark]

Neither an email nor phone call was responded-to, so far.

[Catt Mandu]

The Peter's Cal Mag sounds just about right. Until you know what's in the new stuff, I'd stick with the PCM, which proportioned just about perfectly between the N-P-K-Ca-Mg. You are obviously getting great results with it.
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[silverstoli]

Neither an email nor phone call was responded-to, so far.

Ray, did you keep the questions simple? They may not have a clue, actually..

---------- Post Merged at 09:07 PM ----------

The Peter's Cal Mag sounds just about right. Until you know what's in the new stuff, I'd stick with the PCM, which proportioned just about perfectly between the N-P-K-Ca-Mg. You are obviously getting great results with it.
Posted via Mobile Device

Thank you. My plants have done very well with this. My local orchid nursery buys the huge bags and sells smaller qtys to hobbyists. It's what I've used since I bought my first orchids there in April and have no complaints. I bought a pound and have only used about 20% so far.

I keep thinking I need to have my water tested and possibly adjust the pH, but they are doing pretty well and when I obsess on them, I seem to do more damage than good - lol.

I appreciate everyone's help. I've really only been seriously trying to grow orchids for 4 months and have been fairly successful (with the exception of all the Phals I loved to death) with all of the advise that is on this forum.

[raybark]

Ray, did you keep the questions simple? They may not have a clue, actually..

Legally, the formula of the contents - the N-P-K, anyway - must be on the label.

The email address on their website would not accept the inquiry - message rejected - so I called and got an answering machine, on which I left a message - "Hi, as a picky grower who's an engineer, Id like to know the formula and contents before I order...". and have gotten no response.

I have no basis other than a "gut feel", but I suspect their "organization" is a single person concocting up blends of various additives based upon supposed benefits, rather than any real knowledge. In the link where you can buy it directly, the claim is that without the stuff, friends never could get their plants to rebloom..... Sorry, unless you have been overfeeding nitrogen, or literally haven't ever fed your plants, no fertilizer will do that.

[silverstoli]

I think on their website it says it is a husband and wife team that had such great success, all of their friends asked them to bottle it or something...

I think they are also selling salt water - "very clean" ocean water as a mineral supplement.

I think I will post an inquiry on the site where I purchased it and see what the response is.

[Catt Mandu]

I think on their website it says it is a husband and wife team that had such great success, all of their friends asked them to bottle it or something...

I think they are also selling salt water - "very clean" ocean water as a mineral supplement.

I think I will post an inquiry on the site where I purchased it and see what the response is.

Salt water as a mineral supplement ? ! ? ! Yeah, the producer of these products clearly has no knowledge of mineral nutrition for plants. I would use use whatever they sold you with great caution - better yet, not at all & toss it. If it contains their salt water "mineral suppement" you could seriously damage your orchid roots.

Stick with the Peter's fertilizer.

---------- Post Merged at 07:35 AM ----------

Ray, did you keep the questions simple? They may not have a clue, actually..

---------- Post Merged at 09:07 PM ----------



Thank you. My plants have done very well with this. My local orchid nursery buys the huge bags and sells smaller qtys to hobbyists. It's what I've used since I bought my first orchids there in April and have no complaints. I bought a pound and have only used about 20% so far.

I keep thinking I need to have my water tested and possibly adjust the pH, but they are doing pretty well and when I obsess on them, I seem to do more damage than good - lol.

I appreciate everyone's help. I've really only been seriously trying to grow orchids for 4 months and have been fairly successful (with the exception of all the Phals I loved to death) with all of the advise that is on this forum.

From your profile I see you are in Pearland, TX. If you are on city water, here is your water report: http://pearlandtx.gov/Home/ShowDocument?id=4807 I thought it is odd that pH is not listed but you can call them (phone # in the report), there are many things utilities routinely test for that are not in that report. pH should be one, either electrical conductivity (EC) or total dissolved solids (TDS) is another.

If they give you EC in units of uS/cm, divide by two and you will get TDS (this is a bit of an over-simplification, but it will be close enough to give you an idea). You want TDS to be no more than 200, and much lower is better.

The pH will be adjusted by your utility company to be close to neutral (7.0) which should be fine for most orchids. If you are on your own well, you can contact your local Cooperative Extension (county agent) office, Brazoria | Texas AgriLife Extension Service, and ask if they can test your water.

BTW, I know where to look for this type of information because water quality is part of my job as an environmental consultant.

[silverstoli]

Thank you for the information.. I am just outside of the city, so am in a MUD - not one listed on the report. I did receive a similar report not long ago, will need to look at it again with the information you have given me.

I do have test kits for my pool, I'll test the pH and alkalinity today of my normal water.

Thanks again, I am learning so much!!