[OGD] Re: High nitrogen fertilizer

[Dorothy Potter Barnett]

Please note that the "MSU special" fertilizer comes in two formulas. 
One is for well/tap water and the other is for rain/RO/distilled water. 
If you look at the ingredients, you will see that the formulas take 
into consideration that ground water typically has some calcium and 
micro-nutrients whereas rain, etc. water does not. The London (Ontario) 
Orchid Society has both formulas published on their site, and in 
downloadable .pdf and word file formats. http://los.lon.imag.net/ > 
Miscellaneous Files >  Files List.  Many vendors are selling it these 
days, including us at Porter's Orchids. But wherever you purchase it 
from, be sure you get the right formula for the water you use. Don't 
let anyone tell you one size fits all.

The fertilizer is a GreenCare product, from the Blackmore Company: 
http://www.blackmoreco.com/greencare.html

Dot
Michigan
http://portersorchids.com
On Apr 2, 2005, at 4:20 PM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
Regarding the MSU low phosphate fertilizer  formulation, the author of 
the
Orchids article Leo was trying to recall is Jan  Szyren.  She was not 
the
originator of the formula, but, more importantly,  reported her long 
term success
with it as caretaker of the Michigan State  University orchid 
collection.
    Jack Peters is back in family control of  the old Peters fertilizer
manufacture.  His products go by either name, as  Peters Professional 
or Jack's
Classic.  A "Cal-Mag" formulation is  produced that is a 15-5-15 
supplemented
with 4% Calcium, all the usual trace  minerals, and, most importantly, 
2%
Magnesium.  Although it is easiest to  find in 25 pound bags, Jack 
assures me it will
shortly be available in more  convenient 3 pound containers.
    OGDers should be interested to learn that  there is absolutely no
experimental evidence to support the dogma that high  phosphate 
"blossom boosters"
work as reputed, and the single "low phosphate"  formulation is all 
one needs
throughout the year.  Orchids have  an often overlooked high Calcium 
requirement
usually met by minerals in tap  water, but when utilizing RO water, 
must be
supplied by one's  fertilizer.  Our tap water in Miami, as in many 
other
places, is virtually  devoid of Magnesium, a major constituent of 
orchid tissue.
Jack's Cal-Mag  is extremely soluble and ideal for making up 
concentrates for
subsequent  dilution.

  Bert  Pressman

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