Our journey began with a single orchid. We had a vast collection in a previous life, but moving to New Zealand meant leaving this passion behind. A decade later, a casual visit to Tuckers Orchid Nursery reignited our love for these plants. We couldn't help but adopt a Cattleya Intermedia Orlato var 'Rio' from there.
This marked a small yet significant return to a world we thought we'd left behind. After its first bloom, we neglected the orchid under a tree. It was a challenging period for the plant. However, a realisation struck us one day about the need for better care, leading us to seek high-quality fertiliser for our growing collection.
Our search introduced us to Len Cobb, the New Zealand distributor for Dyna-Gro at the time. We purchased our first bottle of GROW 7-9-5 from him, opting for monthly feedings instead of his weekly recommendation. During our first meeting, Len, who was stepping down from Dyna-Gro, proposed that we take over its distribution.
PS: Dyna Gro has rebranded and their products are now under the Superthrive banner.
This is how we began distributing Dyna Gro in New Zealand. Initially, it was through Bio Leaf Plant Nutrients, but now it's available directly from us at Liqua Nutrients.
It flourished beautifully, blooming from just 4 flowers in the first year to an impressive 26 in 2018, thanks to our consistent use of Dyna-Gro Nutrient Solution. Sadly, it has since passed on to Orchid Heaven.
Our orchids thrive in a poly-type greenhouse, where we adjust the shading seasonally. Our potting mix comprises orchid bark, tree fern fibre, pumice, and charcoal.
Over the years, we've experimented with various fertilisers and settled on two main options: a weekly dose of Superthrive Orchid Pro, Superthrive Grow, or Greencare K-Lite.
We also incorporate Pro-TeKt for stronger plant cells and disease resistance and Mag-Pro to assist with flowering. Lastly, we enrich our nutrient mix with seaweed once a month to improve orchid health and growth.
Reflecting on our journey, we've grown from a simple hobby to a deep passion. It's been a path of learning and joy, and we're excited to continue sharing with our fellow enthusiasts. There's always something new to discover and share.
Happy Growing 