too much feeding? - Orchid Board

Sandy4453 · #1 11-15-2007, 06:23 PM

I don't know why but lately, I've been on a fertilizing, extra food, additional hormonal treatment for my orchids. This is all new to me as my typical regimen all along has been worm tea with a once a month 20-20-20 fertilizer, that's it! I don't know what's gotten into me but they see me coming every time I'm shopping for supplies....maybe? I think I'm a little uncomfortable with all these additional chemicals though.

Aside from not using all this new stuff on Dends., which fertilizing will cause more keikis than spikes, I've been led to believe that bloom boosters for Phals and Catts are a strong recommendation this time of year for us living in the northern hemisphere. So I go to my orchid supply store and I walked out with additional bloom booster to what I normally use (once a month in winter), and as well, with Seaweed solution for the overall growth on all genera and this stuff called, "Floralicious Plus." Is anyone here using this? Although it's an every other week schedule with bloom booster one week, and the other ingredients (the Floralicious and seaweed) the following week, my gut reaction is telling me, TOO MUCH.

P.S. When I got home, I looked in the mirror and nope, there were no signs on my back that said, "she'll buy anything"

but I think I've gotten too carried away.

Your thoughts appreciated!

Ross · #2 11-15-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRF

I don't know why but lately, I've been on a fertilizing, extra food, additional hormonal treatment for my orchids. This is all new to me as my typical regimen all along has been worm tea with a once a month 20-20-20 fertilizer. I think I'm a little uncomfortable with all these additional chemicals though.

Aside from using all this new stuff on Dends., which fertilizing will cause more keikis than spikes, I've been led to believe that bloom boosters for Phals and Catts are a strong recommendation this time of year for us living in the northern hemisphere. So I go to my orchid supply store and I walked out with additional bloom booster to what I normally use and as well, with Seaweed solution for the overall growth on all genera and this stuff called, "Florlicious Plus." Is anyone here using this? My gut reaction is telling me, TOO MUCH.

P.S. When I got home, I looked in the mirror and nope, there were no signs on my back that said, "she'll buy anything"

but I think I've gotten too carried away.

Your thoughts appreciated!

Have you ever checked Ray's site Plant Nutrition where he gives a complete lesson on fertilizing? Try this before any panick attack.

Sandy4453 · #3 11-15-2007, 06:37 PM

"Ask and you shall receive." Thanks so much for your quickie reply rsfrid.

I just opened the link in another window that you posted here. I'm going to read it now......

Mucho gracias and bella fortuna to you!

Queenslander · #4 08-30-2011, 03:55 PM

Sandy,

I searched for a post on FLORALICIOUS PLUSand found yours, nearly 4 years ago. What did you think of this product? Do you still use the worm tea? I would like to hear from you. Thanks

tucker85 · #5 08-30-2011, 04:28 PM

I've used seaweed extract for a couple of years and I've had excellent results. I especially like it in the spring because it encourages root growth. I don't have any experience with Floriferous plus. I'm not a big fan of bloom booster, especially not this early. The lower nitrogen means the plant will not put a lot of energy into plant growth. The high phosphorus ties up other nutrients preventing the plant from absorbing them. At least this is the latest theory. With less nutrients and not much nitrogen the theory speculates that the plant goes into a reproductive cycle to try and save itself. I wouldn't use it while the plant is in active growth during these long days of summer. I have occasionally used it in late october. Some growers swear that they get more flowers with bloom booster. A rule of thumb is to fertilize regularly while the plant is actively growing and fertilize less or not at all when it isn't in active growth.

Queenslander · #6 08-30-2011, 06:22 PM

Tucker, what ratio do you use the Seaweed extract? This is a good product indeed. Great for other plants in the garden also.

tucker85 · #7 08-30-2011, 06:52 PM

Queenslander, I use a product called Maxicrop Liquid seaweed. The label recommends one ounce per gallon per week. In the spring I use the dose on the label for two or three months. It won't burn plants like high doses of fertilizer will. In other seasons I use half that dose. It's important to continue to use a good fertilizer too because the seaweed is a suppliment and it's supposed to help the plant utilize the fertilizer.

Bud · #8 08-30-2011, 07:07 PM

I also use the Maxicrop liquid seaweed; I use a capful(the cover cap) of the bottle to one gallon of water...same thing with worm tea liquid (one capful to a gallon of water...and I just combine them in a gallon of water...one cap of worm tea and one cap of seaweed...put it in a basin and soak my plants for 5 min once a week

Ray · #9 08-31-2011, 09:52 AM

If you try to use Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed as your base fertilizer, you will starve your plants. It has an analysis of 0-0-1.

keithrs · #10 08-31-2011, 12:27 PM

You should check the back of your fertilizer and see if it has calcium and magnesium. If not then you will need to supplement in some cal-mag or buy a compete fertilizer like MSU or and good hydro fertilizer. As for bloom boosters... Well, I don't think there needed on orchids. Orchids are very slow growing compared to tomato or most other flowering plant. There for they store what they need to flower as long as you feed them a consistent complete diet.

As far as too much fertilizing..... rotate your schedule. Fertilize with your 20-20-20 weakly, weekly with light dose of cal-mag on say Sat. then fertilize with your seaweed and worn poo on Wed. You get the point.