Help me pick fertilizer

[Elena]

Hi guys! I'm trying to find a decent fertilizer here in UK and these are the different formulations that Ratcliffe offer

26:6:11
15:7:30
20:5:10
8:15:20

Otherwise there are the likes of Orchid Focus brand ( 2.2:1.3:2.1 & 1.9:2.5:2.6) and various Dyna Grow formulas

 

[NYEric]

It depends on what you're trying to do. Some are growth formula while others are bloom.

 

[Elena]

I suppose I'm looking for a good all purpose one. Is there such a thing? I'm never quite sure what to believe regarding the so-called bloom formulas. Something that would be a suitable replacement for the 19:4:23 MSU that I've been using for the last few months after ordering some from US. Alas, it doesn't seem to be available in UK and now that I have more plants it would cost me a fortune in shipping.

 

[NYEric]

The benefit of the MSU comes from the additional micro-nutrients. Do any of the formulas you're looking at have them?

 

[Corbin]

In my understanding it would also depend on the alkalinity of your water and the kind of nitrogen in the fert.

 

[Elena]

I'm not entirely sure about the micronutrients, I'll have investigate that bit.

Our tap water here is pretty good, quite soft and not far off neutral. As for the source of nitrogen, do you mean whether it contains urea?

 

[Leo Schordje]

MSU is available in UK

http://www.blackmoreco.com/greencare.html the Plug-Grow Plus is essentially the Orchid Special for RO.


http://www.mechanical-botanical.com/ this company is listed as the UK distributor for Blackmore - Greencare products. Check them out. +44 (0) 1428 683505 they are in Surrey.

They don't list fertilizers, but they do list Blackmore as one of their sources, so they do purchase from Blackmore. You might ask them if they can bring in the Greencare fertilizers from Blackmore. Ask for the MSU ORchid formula, but if they balk at that ask for the Plug-Care Plus.

Leo

 

[Elena]

Wow, thank you Leo! I'll get in touch with them and see what they say.

 

[Corbin]

Our tap water here is pretty good, quite soft and not far off neutral. As for the source of nitrogen, do you mean whether it contains urea?

Yes, according to my reading of the literature, and unfortunately I am at work and do not have the references, the alkalinity of your water is an important factor in deciding whether or not you want to use a fertilizer that gets its nitrogen from urea.

I just found this from an earlier thread.

If you want to read the Bill Argo nutrition articles copy this to your browser address bar: http://www.firstrays.com/nutrition.htm

Sorry I do not know how to actually link in the address.

I think there are quite a few who hang out here who do not think this is a big deal and it may not be. I am just telling you what the literature I read is saying. Maybe some of them will tell us there thoughts.