Foliar Fertilizer for Darlingtonia

[CorneliusSchrute]

I have many Darlingtonia seedlings and one larger one and was thinking about spraying diluted orchid fertilizer (Better-Gro) n them as a foliar feed. While I am at it, I thoughtabout trying it with some Sarrs and maybe even a Dionae or two.

Advisable?

 

[Mikey3288]

Got this awesome link from Brie: http://www.carnivorousplants.org/howto/Feeding/SarraceniaFertilization.php

It has details on an experiment with Sarracenia and a Miracle-Gro fertilizer that sounds similar. Sarracenia can thrive in it although I can't comment on Dionaea or Darlingtonia. From what I remember briefly reading, Dionaea + any type of fertilizer = big no no?

 

[CorneliusSchrute]

Interesting article about fertilizer in the soil. Thanks for that link.

I still wonder about the foliar feeding.

 

[Plant Planter]

...From what I remember briefly reading, Dionaea + any type of fertilizer = big no no?

Oddly, when I applied water-soluble Miracle-Gro to my plants' water tray (after being extremely diluted, of course), only my typical Venus flytrap experienced negative effects; all the other plants grew impressively for a short period of time. I would say that it probably is just inherited genetics, but don't take my word for it. Carry out an experiment, a massive one if you wish, and then report back to us here at the forum. This is not a command. This is not a command.

As for applying fertilizer to the plant's leaves, I don't know.

 

[fredg]

I have many Darlingtonia seedlings and one larger one and was thinking about spraying diluted orchid fertilizer (Better-Gro) n them as a foliar feed. While I am at it, I thoughtabout trying it with some Sarrs and maybe even a Dionae or two.

Advisable?

Is that pitcher big enough to squirt some dilute fertiliser in it? I did it years ago with seedling Darlingtonia, Sarracenia and young Cephalotus from leaf cuttings. Always in the pitcher not on the outside.
Hypodermic needle and syringes kits I get free from the Chemist ( EDIT: Pharmacist ), after a lecture on AIDS and sharing needles, even though they know I use them on plants. Thank you NHS

 

[mato]

I've already fertilized my Darlingtonia a few times this season with both coffee and a dilute urea-free orchid fertilizer as a soil drench. Only side-effect was a quick and pronounced increase in pitcher production.

 

[fredg]

I've already fertilized my Darlingtonia a few times this season with both coffee and a dilute urea-free orchid fertilizer as a soil drench. Only side-effect was a quick and pronounced increase in pitcher production.

Did you have a plant that you didn't fertilise as a control to monitor differences?

 

[CorneliusSchrute]

They are too small to fill with fertilizer, which is a bummer considering this is the most natural approach. Patience, eh?

I might try an experiment, PP. Fred and Mato are encouraging me some, too, to this end.

 

[mato]

Did you have a plant that you didn't fertilise as a control to monitor differences?

No, it wasn't really something I was experimenting with. I just wanted to make the point that light fertilization will not ultimately harm the plants, as long as proper "flushing" is performed from time to time.

 

[Mikey3288]

^ The article I linked touches on this. He foliar fed with a high nitrogen fertilizer but made sure to flush it out before foliar feeding again.

PlantPlanter: Surprising results! I may have to try it with my Dionaea. Currently doing some leaf pullings so I may try a small experiment in the coming months.

 

[fredg]

No, it wasn't really something I was experimenting with. I just wanted to make the point that light fertilization will not ultimately harm the plants, as long as proper "flushing" is performed from time to time.

I simply ask because if I water my plants with rainwater several times in spring I find I get a sudden profound increase in pitcher production on my Darlingtonia
But seriously, without a control plant/s any observation is anecdotal.