Dyna-Gro..Yes or NO?

[edgy]

Here in Austin....a lady who has a nursery and raises orchids recommended this product to me. Any thoughts on this product or recommendations for another? Thanks, Eddy

[mehitabel]

I use Dyna-Gro products. The Grow is the only fertilizer I use -- I chose it after reading labels and finding it has the most micro-nutrients of any of the liquid fertilizers. It is urea-free, if that matters to you.

I also use their Pro-TekT, which is supposed to toughen up leaves and make them more pest resistant and also more resistant to heat stress. I don't know about the pests, tho I don't have many, but the heat-resistance-- it definitely does that. The leaves get noticeably stiffer, for one thing. Phal violacea often come from a vendor with leaves so thin and flimsy you think you can see thru them-- even P vio leaves stiffen up beautifully.

Why do I like stiffer leaves? They look sturdier, and they're less susceptible to all sorts of things, including just breaking themselves off when the plant is handled. During the hottest period of summer last year, leaves went flaccid during the hot part of the day, sometimes were so weak they broke off just from moving the plant. This year we had only a two week period in the high 90's, but I had no weak, flaccid breaking leaves, and no discernible floppiness in the middle of the day. The difference was ProTeKt

I have also used their K-L-N liquid root hormone product. That works, too.

IMO, all their products are excellent and live up to the claims made for them.

[edgy]

thanks, A vote of confidence is all that is needed sometimes.

[rcb]

I use Nutricote/Dynamite as my main fertilizer, mostly cause I am lazy about fertilizing. But when I do get around to it, I use the Dyna-Gro as well. Also the Pro-Tect. I never use the bloom fertilizer.

[FLBob]

I use Nutricote/Dynamite in my pots. I've used BetterGrow orchid fertilizer for years, but have recently switched to Dyna-gro. I didn't know anything about the leaf thickening, though I find it interesting. I switched because Bettergrow was a high nitrogen formula. The Dyna-gro is a more balanced formula.

[edgy]

Thanks for the response Bob...have you seen any difference in your plants after making the switch?

[Ray]

Dyna-Gro makes a great product.

Like Mehitabel, I used the Grow formula exclusively for years and was very happy.

I switched the the MSU formula for RO water so I wouldn't have to adjust the pH (which will not be a problem with tap water or well water).

[syndywindy]

I have used both the Dyna-Grow and the MSU formula and have been happy with both. Currently I am just using the MSU formula.

[FLBob]

Originally Posted by edgy

Thanks for the response Bob...have you seen any difference in your plants after making the switch?

I only switched a month back. Summer is a tough time for orchids in south Florida, a bit hot for good flowering. As the nights are getting a bit cooler and the day shorter, I'm seeing quite a few Catts starting to bloom. I can't say as I'm seeing a difference, but I feel better about using a fertilizer with a lower nitrogen component. Coincidentally I was talking with a friend, Bill Fender, yesterday about a bud blast problem I have with some of my smaller flowering Catts, his recommendation was to use a lower nitrogen formula.

[11Orchid126]

Ditto everything that Mehitabel says! Dyna-Gro makes great products. Notice that the two who use nutricote are in Florida, which has a much different climate than you do, and they do say they also use the Dyna-Gro. I had difficulty with the MSU formula but I don't know if it was the product or the formulation. Lost a few plants. I've never ever had once single problem with the Dyna-Grow products and the plants do well on them. I may be mistaken, but I believe they were developed for hydophonic gardening to provide the plants with everything they need. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.