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Thoughts on Maxsea Use

Discussion in 'Orchid Culture' started by GAdam, Jan 4, 2022.

  1. Jan 4, 2022 #1
    GAdam

    GAdam New Member

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    Location:
    Atlanta
    Hello All,

    What're your thoughts on using a dilute concentration of Maxsea for orchids, particularly small epiphytic species?

    I grow a wide variety of miniatures on mounts and I'm admittedly guilty of under fertilizing. Part of the reason for that is my use of live sphagnum to cover the roots of some species - new plants acclimate quite well and put on new roots in it, and older mounts continue to grow well with a bit of moss trimming now and then. I know carnivorous plant growers specifically use Maxsea because it won't burn the sphagnum and also pumps up their target plants. It's a more balanced fertilizer (16-16-16) than I usually use, which I recognize is atypical for most 'orchid' fertilizers. My goal is similar to theirs - feed my plants and maintain happy sphagnum.

    I've done some browsing around online and in the forum here and haven't come across anything definitive at this point.

    Thoughts?

    Thanks!
     
    Alex Shepack likes this.
  2. Jan 5, 2022 #2
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    Location:
    Oak Island NC
    In the “Maslow’s Hierarchy” of orchid needs, fertilizer, and especially the formula, are WAY down the list.

    Use it very dilutely, and you’ll be fine. That is true for all fertilizers.

    In order for a plant to gain one pound in mass - how long will it take your mini’s to do that? - a plant must absorb and process 200 gallons of water, it only about 5 grams of fertilizer.
     
    J E likes this.