"I have not been happy with blood meal as a soil amendment. The quick
breakdown creates a short-term oxygen demand in the soil. If sufficient
oxygen cannot be supplied, the breakdown becomes anerobic, usually
producing ammonia rather than nitrate. The lack of oxygen alone can be
toxic to roots and the ammonia and PH swings exacerbate the problem. I've
killed a few plants with blood meal."
This is an interesting point that he has brought up. I recently saw a
product which adds oxygen to your soil... nothing more. I would imagine
that oxygen would be at a premium in a plastic pot with dead sphagnum.
Might this product be of benefit to a plant in such conditions? This
would certainly make the use of dried blood more appealing.
You mentioned using urea as a form of nitrogen. Has anyone had any success
with this?
I have been using chemical fertilizers in conjunction with Superthrive and
have found that it is extremely difficult to know what the optimum feeding
regimen is. I had overwhelming success for about three months, and then
my plants rebelled. I am guessing that there was some sort of build up
that got to be too much for the plants.
Thus, I am looking for natural fertilizers. I am hoping that I will have
more room for error by using them.
Chris
P.S.
I am primarily interested in natural fertilizers
for Nepenthes, but any success would be appreciated.