Use of alcohol in raising orchids

[JMorales]

I read recently some comments about the use of alcohol in the mix that you water your orchids with. I want to ask if somebody have experience with this
Thanks and muchos saludos

[Tindomul]

What is the purpose of adding alcohol? To combat pests???? Thanks.

[littlefrog]

There was some furor maybe 10 years ago over using methanol in some fertilizer formulations. I think 'Jerry's Grow'? Working from memory here, and that ain't so good.

Methanol (and some other much more expensive alcohols) in small amounts does seem to promote plant growth. But it can promote plant growth to the point of weak, leggy plants. A fast growing plant is not necessarily a good growing plant, and the soft growth may be more prone to damage and rot. I think the use of methanol has largely fallen out of favor, or at least I haven't heard of anybody using it recently.

I do try to apply some ethanol internally when I'm repotting. Usually in the form of a good beer. But that is more for the grower than the plant.

[Charles]

I have heard lately of using beer in a home grown fertilizer mix. I can not remember where. Once my short term memory returns, I should be able to tell you.

All kidding aside, I do recall some such mention of beer as an ingredient of some homegrown mix.

[Becca]

Charles,
I was told that Ray's website has a recipe for this beer fertalizer and I have been told it works quite well, and the plants I have seen fertilized with it are nice and healthy looking. Perhaps it was Ray's website you saw it on?

[caseydoll]

I thought I maybe saw it on here posted somewhere. I pretty much looked at every single post and thread on here when I first joined so I have no idea what forum it was on but I definately read it.

Sarah

[Ray]

If I remember correctly, methanol does increase the permeaility of cell walls. Jerry's Grow was essentially Dyna-Gro with added methanol. (Frankly, I'm amazed that Jerry got a patent, as the technique was used in rooting hormone solutions for years.)

I have never tried the "beer fertilizer", so use it at your own risk!

[Becca]

Here is the recipe I was told about for the beer fertalizer. I am not sure if this is the same one an acquaintance gave me that she said she found off of a link on Ray's website, I tried looking for it, but didn't have any luck, and as Ray said, he hasn't tried it before. When I run out of my Dyna-Gro I am going to give this recipe a try:

"1 can of beer (yes!)
1 cup Epsom salts
1/2 cup ammonia (clear)
2 cups water
use 1/2 oz in 1 gal. of water every two weeks."

The person who gave this recipe to me uses 1 Tbls to a gal. of water every week and in the winter dilutes the fert with 4 cups water instead of the two.

I'll submit a post when I start using it!

[JMorales]

Thanks for the answers of my question, I also have somewere a recepie that includes alcohol and supertrive, the problem is that I cant findit, if I have some luck I will posted
Muchos saludos

[Ray]

Editorial comment:

The "beer fertilizer" concoction is nothing magical. In fact, it will be deficient in some essential plant nutrients, and the nutritional components certainly will not be in the appropriate proportions for the plant. Using it in hopes it will improve your orchid culture is naive, and at best, will be inconclusive.

Feed your plants regularly with a controlled dose of a good, complete fertilizer formula, and that's the best you can do. When you "nail" your orchid culture so well that everything grows really well for you - or at least the ones that are right for your conditions - then you might experiment with odd-ball supplements.