Nitrocote is sold at both Home Depot and Lowe’s under the name Dynamite. There are more choices In Formula at Lowe’s Dr. Motes speaks of this In his Florida orchid growing talks and books. Nitro cote is hard to find in smaller quantities.
Love this video. I actually already doing this, just glad that I hear this from experienced growers and it validates what I’m doing! 😁I like what you said ‘keep it simple’. It’s when it becomes a chore that it takes the fun out of it’. Don’t waste your money on Bloom Boosters’. Thanks for another great video! 👍
Nice thing about keeping it simple, you have more time to enjoy your orchids. I have the big bag issue over here. Most of the slow release fertilisers suitable for orchids are in huge bags. Thanks for sharing.
Stephen, after seeing your earlier fertilization video, I started using the Nutricote/Mag-i-cal mix this spring, on the orchids that I keep outside during the warmer months. They've all done great and are so much easier to take care of. On some of the larger orchids I put the fertilizer in the little baskets. And on some of them, I just sprinkled it on top of the media. With that method, the fertilizer did eventually get washed down about 1/2 way or more into the media (I could see where the fertilizer was with the orchids that I grow in clear plastic pots). But, that didn't seem to affect the growth of the roots or plant! :)
@@SVKLOrchids I was wondering if you noticed any difference between the Simply Organic fertilizer and the Nutricote/Mag-i-cal mix? As far as the growth/health of your orchids is concerned? Also, did you have to keep replenishing what you put into the little baskets initially? Or did the hard nugget last all season?
Caroline My limited trial had great growth results, with plants looking as good as with nutricote. I only filled the baskets once and then added nutricote in August. Many baskets still have Purely Organic left in them.
I've been doing something similar with Osmocote since I went to Lankester Botanical Garden and all the orchids had little mesh baskets with slow-release granules. Though I've found they don't last anywhere near as long as they claim. So I apply a few granules every 2 weeks on actively growing plants. Seems to work.
@@SVKLOrchids Looking into that further online it looks like Nutricote is a lot better than Osmocote for a tropical climate. I tried to find someone who sells it here in Costa Rica but no luck. I might try to bring some back from the States. But last time I tried to bring back a bag of Osmocote it got confiscated by the TSA because "fertilizer".
@@SVKLOrchids Not sure. I'm heading back to the States pretty soon and I'll get a small bag of Nutricote while I'm there. with any luck TSA won't take it this time.
Since I switched to this much easier way of fertilizing orchids, I have seen better results. (I also give them the cocktail once a month.). Sadly it’s almost time to bring them back in the house, and getting enough humidity for them is a challenge even with two humidifiers going! Anyway, your videos are always helpful and informative.
I’m also not looking forward to bringing the plants “inside!” Last year’s brutal cold blast made me realize I need a better winter plan for cold weather!
Hi there, Very informative video! I find myself watching your videos a lot great channel! I had a question about the kelp-max, I picked a bottle up and I grow about 30 phals. I see the recommended dosage of kelp-max is 1tbsp per gallon but that seems very high to me. May I know what ratio you use the kelp-max at per gallon? Or if you have a recommendation of its usage per gallon on phals? I was thinking about using about 1tsp per gallon but I'd love to hear your opinion if that too low or too high?
@@SVKLOrchids thank you very much! im going to test it on a few plants at first and see how it goes, I appreciate the response and im happy to hear about your results!
Hi Stephen. Very interesting video. What are your thoughts about Osmocote (slow release)? Also, do you use epson salts? Do you think it can be helpful?
Osmocote has a tendency to dump all its fertilizer so once in hot weather, so I don’t use it. Epsom salt is not needed if you already use a good cal-mag supplement.
Thank for the great tip 👍😊. When I searched Amazon for purely organic fertilizer, it came up with purely organic lawn food. Are you talking about this one?
I learned to use first rays Kelpmax from Mr William Green (My Green Pets) it cost me few hundreds for shipping from the USA to Australia But it’s fully worth it. Cheers 👍
Very helpfull! Thank you. - Now I am thinking of switching to slow release fertiliser. ~100 orchids. Always carying 2x5 liter water with me (pure & ~200 ppm). Life could be easier with just 5 liter of pure water... ;)
Every time I use Fish Emulsion I say "Never Again" because of all the flies it attracts. Even tried Bat Guano tea, similar results with a Raw Sewage scent... yuk Guess I'm going to have to go with time-released pellets, as suggested.
@@SVKLOrchids thank you Stephen, if you dont mind my asking which 1 you got because i see things like for hard soil, acidic soil...ect and i dont want to get the wrong thing. please let me know the 1 you get..THANK YOU SO MUCH
Nitrocote is sold at both Home Depot and Lowe’s under the name Dynamite. There are more choices In Formula at Lowe’s Dr. Motes speaks of this In his Florida orchid growing talks and books. Nitro cote is hard to find in smaller quantities.
Oh wow, good to know! Thanks! I'll pin this comment to the top.
My daughter’s birthday 😃 stayed up a little later tonight, so... winding down with your video... great subject ... thank you 😃
Nice! Glad I could extend the party! lol
I've used Purely Organic the last two years and it's great
I’m a big fan as well!
Love this video. I actually already doing this, just glad that I hear this from experienced growers and it validates what I’m doing! 😁I like what you said ‘keep it simple’. It’s when it becomes a chore that it takes the fun out of it’. Don’t waste your money on Bloom Boosters’. Thanks for another great video! 👍
Sunshine Lady’s orchids & garden Glad to hear other folks are keeping it simple too!
Great advice and fascination subject. Thank you for bringing it up.
Fernanda Nascimento orchids & succulents My pleasure!
I use the little baskets too but I actually put the Purely Organic in fillable tea bags!
Thanks for your reply to cutting Catasetum roots. I really enjoy your videos-very helpful
Susan Zomaya You’re welcome!
Nice thing about keeping it simple, you have more time to enjoy your orchids. I have the big bag issue over here. Most of the slow release fertilisers suitable for orchids are in huge bags. Thanks for sharing.
Patricia's Orchids I agree!
Stephen, after seeing your earlier fertilization video, I started using the Nutricote/Mag-i-cal mix this spring, on the orchids that I keep outside during the warmer months. They've all done great and are so much easier to take care of. On some of the larger orchids I put the fertilizer in the little baskets. And on some of them, I just sprinkled it on top of the media. With that method, the fertilizer did eventually get washed down about 1/2 way or more into the media (I could see where the fertilizer was with the orchids that I grow in clear plastic pots). But, that didn't seem to affect the growth of the roots or plant! :)
Caroline Having the fertilizer distributed through the media definitely works too!
@@SVKLOrchids I was wondering if you noticed any difference between the Simply Organic fertilizer and the Nutricote/Mag-i-cal mix? As far as the growth/health of your orchids is concerned? Also, did you have to keep replenishing what you put into the little baskets initially? Or did the hard nugget last all season?
Caroline My limited trial had great growth results, with plants looking as good as with nutricote. I only filled the baskets once and then added nutricote in August. Many baskets still have Purely Organic left in them.
I've been doing something similar with Osmocote since I went to Lankester Botanical Garden and all the orchids had little mesh baskets with slow-release granules. Though I've found they don't last anywhere near as long as they claim. So I apply a few granules every 2 weeks on actively growing plants. Seems to work.
Nice! Ya, osmocote is known to dump the fertilizer in the heat. Try nutricote and see if that lasts longer.
@@SVKLOrchids Looking into that further online it looks like Nutricote is a lot better than Osmocote for a tropical climate. I tried to find someone who sells it here in Costa Rica but no luck. I might try to bring some back from the States. But last time I tried to bring back a bag of Osmocote it got confiscated by the TSA because "fertilizer".
@@siggyincr7447 That’s unfortunate! I wonder if there is another slow release that isn’t osmocote?
@@SVKLOrchids Not sure. I'm heading back to the States pretty soon and I'll get a small bag of Nutricote while I'm there. with any luck TSA won't take it this time.
And I love the kelpmax and quantum orchid as well
Since I switched to this much easier way of fertilizing orchids, I have seen better results. (I also give them the cocktail once a month.). Sadly it’s almost time to bring them back in the house, and getting enough humidity for them is a challenge even with two humidifiers going!
Anyway, your videos are always helpful and informative.
I’m also not looking forward to bringing the plants “inside!” Last year’s brutal cold blast made me realize I need a better winter plan for cold weather!
Hi there,
Very informative video! I find myself watching your videos a lot great channel!
I had a question about the kelp-max, I picked a bottle up and I grow about 30 phals. I see the recommended dosage of kelp-max is 1tbsp per gallon but that seems very high to me. May I know what ratio you use the kelp-max at per gallon? Or if you have a recommendation of its usage per gallon on phals? I was thinking about using about 1tsp per gallon but I'd love to hear your opinion if that too low or too high?
I use 1 tablespoon per gallon on all my orchids! Works great!
@@SVKLOrchids thank you very much! im going to test it on a few plants at first and see how it goes, I appreciate the response and im happy to hear about your results!
@@trendworld9803 no problem!
Hi Stephen. Very interesting video. What are your thoughts about Osmocote (slow release)? Also, do you use epson salts? Do you think it can be helpful?
Osmocote has a tendency to dump all its fertilizer so once in hot weather, so I don’t use it. Epsom salt is not needed if you already use a good cal-mag supplement.
You never use a ppm meter? Ph meter? What kind of water do you use, r o? If you don't I'm so relieved. 🌺
Anita Hjelm Nope! I don’t test for that stuff. I’ve got rainwater catchment, so my water is free!
Hi Stephan: I’m trying out the purely organic this spring. Do you continue with the monthly kelp when using PO? Thanks!
Thank for the great tip 👍😊. When I searched Amazon for purely organic fertilizer, it came up with purely organic lawn food. Are you talking about this one?
Here’s the link: purelyorganicfertilizer.com/
@@SVKLOrchids Appreciated the link 😃
Seems pretty straightforward! I must look for some. Do you pH adjust anything?
No, I don't mess with pH since I switched to rainwater. I was adding citrus supplements when I was using our hard tapwater.
I learned to use first rays Kelpmax from Mr William Green (My Green Pets) it cost me few hundreds for shipping from the USA to Australia But it’s fully worth it. Cheers 👍
Wow, that's expensive! Its definitely good stuff!
Aren't there any Kelp algae based products in Australia? In Europe there are a few similar products.
Karl's Orchid Party of course there are heaps. But I wanted to try that particular product.tnx 👍
Very helpfull! Thank you. - Now I am thinking of switching to slow release fertiliser. ~100 orchids. Always carying 2x5 liter water with me (pure & ~200 ppm). Life could be easier with just 5 liter of pure water... ;)
Karl's Orchid Party Definitely keep it simple!
I was wondering where you get those little "basket" stakes that you put the purely organic fertilizer into. Thank you.
Joe Blo Amazon! They’re cheap, too.
@@SVKLOrchids Do you happen to know who they are called on amazon?
Joe Blo I don’t recall the brand, but a quick search for “orchid fertilizer basket” should get a bunch of results for you!
Every time I use Fish Emulsion I say "Never Again" because of all the flies it attracts. Even tried Bat Guano tea, similar results with a Raw Sewage scent... yuk Guess I'm going to have to go with time-released pellets, as suggested.
BBQNBLUES Try kelpmax. Very low scent, especially compared to fish emulsion.
Hi Stephen i was looking for the Mag-i-cal, lots of stuff came up, do you haeve a link the the one you use...? thanks
I don’t think they sell the slow release stuff anymore! You can find the lawn formulas on Amazon though
@@SVKLOrchids thank you Stephen, if you dont mind my asking which 1 you got because i see things like for hard soil, acidic soil...ect and i dont want to get the wrong thing. please let me know the 1 you get..THANK YOU SO MUCH
@@MiguelGarcia-pf2xh You want to get the one for acidic soil, which will contain plenty of calcium and magnesium.
@@SVKLOrchids thank you so much Stephen
@@MiguelGarcia-pf2xh no problem!