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Old 08-13-2008, 02:49 PM
runLoganrun runLoganrun is offline
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newbie feeding question
Default newbie feeding question

I am growing two types of orchids, phal. and phrag., and depending on where I look there are varying degrees of similarities between what food should be used.

First of all there seems to be a divergance of opinion on whether or not phals need high nitrogen, or not, one thing I heard a while back was that they needed the extra nitrogen because it is used up in the process of fir bark breakdown, so if not using bark for medium then they don't need as much nitrogen. I am using a coconut husk mixture, so believe I would fall into that camp, if that is true. But aside from that I've read both that they need a balanced mixture, or they need a high nitrogen mix.

Same type of thing for phrags, when I try to look up info on feeding, although not as frequently, from what I gather, people reccomend a high nitrogen fertilizer for phrags as well, but it seems the general consensus is a balanced fertilizer, with micronutrients, the frequency of feeding varies quite a bit.

I also just read something about a phosphorous boost for flowering being a myth and based on early, innacurate findings. I'd be interested if anyone had feedback on that also.

But to finally get to my point, I'm looking to have one fertilizer for both types of plants, right now I have different food for both, plus bloom booster, and I want to simplify my process a little, assuming that is, if I can find something agreeable, and effective, for everything, although the frequencies of feeding might be different, which is fine.

Right now I have Better-Gro 20-14-13, that I've been using for Phals, and Dyna-Gro 7-9-5 on phrags. I'm doing the weakly, weekly feeding approach, with occasional plain water rinses (with exception to the phrags, who get watered so much more that I give them more plain water, and feed 1-2 times a week). Is there one of these foods that would be better suited for both plants, or something else I could by perhaps? I'm not positive on this, but I think the Dyna-Gro is a better food, but I am not sure if in this scenario, using one food for both plants, if I wouldn't be better off with their foliage mix, which is 9-3-6.

If there is one, which food can I use, that would provide good results, for both?

Why do the Dyna Gro products have a lower ratio of each number, ie: 7-9-5 v. 20-14-13, and is a lower ratio of nutrients better for one plant over the other?

Thanks very much for any help,
rlr
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