So, I just got some of the Eleanor's (I've never used it before) and plant on using it as a foliar spray.
After reading through all of the old threads where Eleanor's is mentioned, I still have am unsure of what to do. So, here is what I plan to do with it:
I will mist my plants 2-4 times a day with water that has a little Eleanor's and a little Superthrive mixed together until the winter months, at which time I will stop including the Eleanor's in the misting regimine.
I will continue to use my orchid fertilizer at 1/4 strength & H2O2 when watering.
Does this sound like an appropriate use of vitamins, hormones, ferts, etc.? Or, am I going overboard? If I am going to be doing too much, what should I eliminate?
Thanks all.
Ann
Question about using Eleanor's VF-11 & Ferts
I don't think you need to mist several times a day with it. If you like to mist that many times, I would just put the Eleanor's in the water for one or 2 of the mistings a day.
Speaking as someone who would, at one point, try anything I thought would make my plants grow better/faster/bloom more....I am becoming more and more conservative. Mainly because I can never remember stuff and am too lazy to write it down. I am using Messenger and I see a difference... and I spray it every 3 weeks.
I asked Bob (chemical engineer husband) about using H2O...he laughed. What H2O does, I believe, is take Oxygen down to the roots...Hoyas like their roots in light airy mix. So, if you use a light mix the roots will be happy. I like to use Hormex in water when I water my cuttings on the propagation mat...and I alternate with Eleanors...but very lightly...and this only on the weaker plants. I have hooked up a system where I give the whole greenhouse a smidgen of DynaGro everytime I water or mist...it is just easier. They seem to be thriving...By the way, Hormex is the same thing as ST but cheaper...AND it has a rooting hormone in it so I use it as a dip when I propagate. Love the stuff!!!
On big/established plants, they are getting adequate nitrogen from the water and the air....so in the growing months I like to use a blooming/orchid type fertilizer as well.
HTH,
Carol
OK, so I will tone down the misting if I have Eleanor's in the water.
As for the H2O2 I have plants from non-Pimpette retailers who put the hoyas in thick, heavy potting soil. Thus, they didn't do well until I started adding the H2O2 to the water (yes, I am too darned lazy and cheap to repot plants that are in perfectly good potting soil).
I am going to try the Hormex when I run out of the ST - 'cause that ST is expensive.
Carol, which kind of DynaGro do you use? And, do you use the same kind all year?
Lemme know and thanks for the info!!
Ann
I use the DynaGro GROW in the GH and on younger or smaller plants...and I use the BLOOM on the big ones. H. citrina finally secumbed to the urge and bloomed like a mad woman!!!
Carol,
Do you use the DynaGro Bloom year-round??
I'm gonna go get both today, because I don't think orchid food is doing the trick. I have been using Grow More's Orchid Growth Formula 30-10-10.
So, I guess it's time for a switch.
Ann
Yes...all year round. 30-10-10 is kinda high in N isn't it? Does it have minors?
So, what is a young or small plant? Like, for example, is a small plant one with only 6 nodes, or is it more like a plant that is in a pot smaller than 3"?
Some of us need our hands held when learning new tricks :-)
Ann
Well...I think of a young or a small plant as one that has not matured...that is not into blooming yet and/or looks skimpy on my shelf or trellis...that I want to GROW more. I would not cut a young/small plant for cuttings.....
Thanks lots!!!
I got the fert, so I shall begin rotating the DynaGro Bloom into the routine.
Whee, grow and bloom my beauties!!!
Amm
Speaking of, since I am on this quest for learning all I can, where do I get the fertilizers mentioned? On-line, HD, Lowes?? And what fertilizers are most recommended? My plants will / are primarily be / is indoor plants, too danged hot outside both for me and them....:) (They will get some outside time, on the deck, under cover)
I use good 'ole blue MG on everything and some MG bloom booster and MG Tomato
THANX!!!!!!!
This message was edited Jun 18, 2006 11:16 PM
Lots and lots of threads about fertilizers, Becky...check the top sticky thread. Everyone has their favorite. I know I don't like MG for my potted plants because of the salts...I prefer DynaGro...you can get Stuperthrive or Eleanores at www.charliesgreenhousesupply.com and they have a good price.
Carol
I just spoke to the rep. for Elenores here... (did I spell that wrong?). She said it is best NOT to use it in combo with other ferts, is designed to work alone AND works best foliarly. Thought I would pass that on.
Carol are you usine the Eleanors and Messenger for foiliary spray? I just use Eleanors but I did get some Messenger in the last Coop that I have not used yet. And what bennefits does fish emulsion have for hoya?
Thanks for checking Carol! I think I will start a misting regimine where I fill up the mister with water, include superthrive, when that runs out have plain water, when that runs out include Eleanors, when that runs out have plain water, and the cycle begins again. This way I am also rinsing off the residue.
Ann
I have been using Elenores as I use Superthrive...have not used it foliarly. I use Messenger foliarly, tho'
Which fish emulsion, Tami? DL uses one that is different from the Alaska Fish Fert available here...his is more balanced...ours is 5-1-1- or 5-0-0. Use it for growth....but it is not complete.....
I know it is not Alaskan Fish Fertilzer, I think theres comes in a white jug. My label is missing off of my jug and it is a dullish yellow color. I will have to look next time I am out and about. I haven't used it on my hoya, just seen the jug again and thought I would ask what benefits it would have so I could clear yet another jug of fertilizer out of my collection. !!
My AK Fish Fert comes in a big white bottle...open it up and it is brown muck and it smells fishy. I use it for the new babies...putting on growth. I water it in cause foliarly would make me gag!!!
Yes as I recall it does smell. Eww I can't even imagine how stinky it would be to spray with it. Yuck I just got shivers...