organic/biologique fertilizer

[Jones]

Does anyone use organic/biologique fertilizers on their orchids? If so what kind? I've been using liquid seaweed with an NPK of 0.1/0.0/1.0 but I think not the best for blooms. I get good new growth though.

[orchids4me]

I don't have an answer but here let me you back up on the list

[katrina]

I use some liquid seaweed but I use it as a supplement rather than my sole fertilizer. It's not a complete fertilizer and it does not contain any of the micro-nutrients needed by plants.

I prefer to use a balanced fertilizer year round. Ideally, one that get it's N from something other than urea. Urea takes too long to break down to be of any real use to orchid roots.

Any fertilizing question will likely give you a lot of different opinions and preferences. It's like potting mediums...we all have different growing conditions and over time we've all found our favorites and what works best for each of us.

[JLu]

"biologique"

What is that? I am collecting information to write a book on the internet and I need a definition of terms that I don't recognize to be included. It's not a joke book. It's a serious book on internet "language".

[Jones]

thanks again Katrina, you are a big help.

[Jones]

biologique is the European term for organic. I've seen is used in England, Germany, Belgium and on imported organic food products that come from Europe. Since this is an international forum site I thought I'd use both terms to hit all bases.

[11Orchid126]

I think Katrina meant to say that liquid seaweed doesn't contain any macro-nutrients, like nitrogen, phosphorous, or potassium. But it is loaded with micro-nutrients. Seaweed encourages root growth. Seaweed can grow as much as a foot a day. It doesn't encourage blooms though. A fertilizer low in nitrogen would be a suggestion.

[katrina]

Originally Posted by 11Orchid126

I think Katrina meant to say that liquid seaweed doesn't contain any macro-nutrients, like nitrogen, phosphorous, or potassium. But it is loaded with micro-nutrients.

OOPS! So right you are.
[In my defense...yesterday morning was the first day of my giving up coffee.]

[Jones]

thanks everyone, I found an interesting thread on worm (castings) tea...thought I might try it.

[Anton]

I use seaweed extract and fish emulsion made from carp in conjunction with regular grow and bloom foods.