Tricks of the trade

[elitebettas]

Visiting a few commercial growers I hear interesting things here and there regarding how they care for their orchids. No doubt beautiful since in their expansive greenhouses they can manipulate light, humidity etc more so than my home and patio environment but I came across this interesting recipe that was recommened by a grower.

Every time they fertilize they use 2 tablespoons Epson Salt and two tablespoons of liquid Wisk (yes, the laundry detergent) per gallon....
Has anyone ever tried this? I'm also thinking about using fish emulsion...your thoughts are appreciated

[sandra]

Hi elitebettas.

I use 1/2 tablespoon of Epsom salts per gallon twice a month. I use it with no fertilizers which I only use about once a month in the winter. This is the one thing I do religiously. It's promoted as aiding in strong, healthy growth and bigger blooms. I was told to use it alone and not to mix it with other fertilizers. I don't know if it would make a difference but I've always stuck to that rule.

I don't know nor have heard anything about liquid Wisk but I use a capful of Physan 20 about once a month to keep the bark clean.

[patlee]

Jerry Baker, one of those syndicated gardeners, recommends dish detergent--the cheaper the better-- in all of his potions for insecticides for garden plants and grasses.

And" Yankee Trader"--a do it yourself magazine--also recommends using dish detergent. It seems to be a pretty standard ingredient in their mix-yourself remedies

[kmarch]

What iis in it that makes it beneficial? Is Jsrry Baker the guy who concocts his potions out fo things like dish detergent and beer?

[joan gero]

Well, if the detergent or Physan 20 is to clean up the potting medium/bark OR to clean up around roots, it sounds like a fine idea! In fact, it answers that always-nagging question: if pests and diseases lurk in roots, and we keep spraying leaves and fans, how do we ever get rid of the pests and diseases?? Could this be the answer???

[rmt135]

Probably it will make the leaves look shinier & cleaner. Why not ask the commercial grower for his or her version.

[phalaephila]

I believe that dish washing detergent is used as a spreader-sticker, helping other ingredients become better dissolved in water and therefor spreading more effectively over the affected areas.

Jeanne

[patlee]

Yes,Kmarch. That's Jerry Baker--you're thinking of the right guy. I've never tried any of his "recipes" myself, but my neighbor has and claims they work wonders (with no chemicals)!!

[11Orchid126]

I don't know why epsom salts shouldn't be mixed with fertilizer. It's pure magnesium. Many fertilizers have magnesium in them. And magnesium works better in conjunction with calcium. I mix it with my fertilizer regularly all the time, usually a tablespoon. If I use more than that as a kick starter, I do use it alone.

I find fish emulsion, being an animal product, to be too caustic for orchid roots. I had many dead roots until I stopped using it. However, I do think that liquid seaweed is very good for orchids as it's a vegetable product chock full of macronutrients. The plants love it.