Okay
Here I am, 10 months later after the last posting to this thread.
However, I would like to add my two cents:
The nitrogen cycle goes something like this
1--an organism dies and begins to rot into its component parts, for this case--protein. Or, it excretes waste materials from protein metabolism, including urea.
2--protein, by biological action (with or without soil), breaks down to urea.
3--urea breaks down to Ammonia
4--ammonia breaks down to Nitrates
5--soil organisms convert nitrates to nitrites (maybe this 4 and 5 is backwards), and is able to hold that in the humus.
Now--Orchids are perched in trees, usually. They get what comes their way. Waste products in dilute form slowly, and consistently while moist. Most plants, including most orchids, have enzymes that break down even large molecules like urea. They don't have to have the urea broken down. However, in warmth, urine (urea) turns to ammonia quickly (hence the singapore example above, and works well).
Whether urea, ammonia, or nitrate, orchids need their nitrogen because they reform orchid proteins from the nitrogen components of the molecule. And from these proteins, eventually the nitrogen cycle starts again.
Now--compost tea is excellent for any and all orchids. You can make it at home. Phals especially like the stuff. Catts, dendies, oncids, and grammatophylums too.
I hope I have helped in this matter.
Take care
May all your orchids bloom like crazy
Rex
aka Polka
|
Linear Mode
