Fertilizing by the leaves

[paworsport]

Dear all
,

I would like to share your experience for those who give fertilizer to their paph by spraying fertilizer on the leaves.

How do you proceed ? Just after you have watered your paph ?

Thank you in advance for your help,

Philippe

 

[Ray]

Personally, I am not a fan of foliar feeding of orchids, as they tend to end up with really dirty, crusty leaves.

If you use a fertilizer containing nitrate- or ammonium-based nitrogen, it's a waste of time; you need urea for better foliar absorption, but then any that drips to the roots won't be absorbed very well.

 

[consettbay2003]

I recall Hadley Cash exclusively used foliar feeding for his paphs. Apparently he noticed problems and after a leaf analysis learned that he was severely
deficient in one particular nutrient. He did not share with me what that nutrient was.
I believe Hillsview Gardens only fertilizes through the leaves.

 

[Mocchaccino]

I can share mine though I'm not an experienced grower yet.

I recently apply liquid fertilizers both by spray and to the composit. I will make a dilution of which strength equals to one-third of the recommended dilution (i.e if the recommended dilution is 1:1000 then i make up to 1:3000 for both methods). Then spray the fertilizer on leaves without considering whether they are just watered or not.

However if I'm going to apply fertilizers on roots, i will water once before I apply the diluted fertilizer. With this way I could ensure any salts build-up after the previous watering can be mostly flushed out the medium

 

[paworsport]

Thanks a lot for your answer it is helpfull.

Philippe

 

[keithrs]

I recall Hadley Cash exclusively used foliar feeding for his paphs. Apparently he noticed problems and after a leaf analysis learned that he was severely
deficient in one particular nutrient. He did not share with me what that nutrient was.

Probably K....:evil:

 

[Rick]

Probably K....:evil:

You would think sooke:oke:

But I'd bet it was calcium. K and Mg can travel through the plant easily, but Ca really needs to go through the roots, and doesn't translocate easily in the plant after that.

As Ray mentioned its hard to not get anything on the roots when you blast the leaves anyway. So it's really hard to imagine an orchid getting 100% of its nutrients from the leaves only.

I think when most of us fertilize (not using the semi hydro method) we spray the whole world. Leaves, exposed roots, potting mix, floor, shoes...... We probably waste 90% of it and the plant probably picks up 1%. And apparently that's more than enough.

 

[Leo Schordje]

Like Rick says.
I water everything and anybody not moving out of the way quick enough. :evil:
In my set up trying to fertilize just the leaves would be silly.

So I combo feed, everything gets wet with the fertilizer solution, and have never had a problem that I could trace to this practice.

 

[keithrs]

Sorry Rick.... I couldn't hold back.:drool:

I to spray everything in sight.... Really sucks being when I spray fish guts on my plants!

 

[Cheyenne]

Sorry Rick.... I couldn't hold back.:drool:

I to spray everything in sight.... Really sucks being when I spray fish guts on my plants!

That has to smell awful. I tried to fertilize with fish emulaion in the house and my wife was not very happy.

 

[Rick]

Sorry Rick.... I couldn't hold back.:drool:

Yes, I like to use the oke: for sarcastic fun poking too.

But I also like are everyone is thinking about these things.:wink:

 

[Ray]

YI think when most of us fertilize (not using the semi hydro method) we spray the whole world.

ARE YOU KIDDIN' ME?!?!?!?!?!

What would make you think S/H culture avoids watering the whole world. I routinely use the "fire hose" technique, which soaks everything, including me.

I went to the doctor one day for a routine check-up, and he commented that I had gained a few pounds since my last visit. I pointed out that I was soaked from watering the greenhouse, and his response was "Huh. I've never had a male patient claim he was 'retaining water' before..."

 

[keithrs]

That has to smell awful. I tried to fertilize with fish emulaion in the house and my wife was not very happy.

Your not kidding me!!!!.... Not only does it smell.... it brings flies from every where!!!! I use it on my garden also.... It helps keep the gofers out.

 

[Rick]

ARE YOU KIDDIN' ME?!?!?!?!?!

What would make you think S/H culture avoids watering the whole world. I routinely use the "fire hose" technique, which soaks everything, including me.

I went to the doctor one day for a routine check-up, and he commented that I had gained a few pounds since my last visit. I pointed out that I was soaked from watering the greenhouse, and his response was "Huh. I've never had a male patient claim he was 'retaining water' before..."

:rollhappy::rollhappy::rollhappy:

 

[Eric Muehlbauer]

I use fish emulsion exclusively outdoors, on my container veggies. Never indoors...my family term for it is "doody water".