Ornamental : Food for the Orchids | Agriculture Business Week

Food for the Orchids

The secret to healthier ornamentals, as one family attests, is using the right fertilizer.

Finding the right fertilizer has always been a major problem of ornamental plant growers. They always have specific considerations in choosing the right fertilizer that would give them bountiful, healthy and attractive crops.

Dr. Perlito Ibarra, associate professor at the University of the Philippines Los Banos, and his wife Mrs. Angelita Ibarra, proprietors of Gintong Talulot found the perfect solution for the fertilizer needs of their ornamental plants especially orchids. Thanks to one such fertilizer Osmocote Controlled Release Fertilizer (CRF)professional growers like the Ibarras are assured of healthy crops year round.

From anthuriums to orchids
The Ibarras started their small business on anthurium cultivation in the ’80s in their very own backyard at Collegeville Subdivision in Los Banos, Laguna. The need for a much bigger space prompted them to get another land in Bay, Laguna where they can cultivate the growing need for their anthuriums. The couple then concentrated in the family business upon retiring from work. Market demand was more into orchids and anthuriums slowly became a thing of the past. The y made a little adjustment on the systems and production of anthurium cultivation and applied it to the different varieties of orchids they were and are still propagating.

More vigorous
The Ibarras were using conventional granular fertilizers for their plants when an agronomist of Allied Botanical Corporation paid them an unexpected visit and gave them a sample of Osmocote CRF. They immediately tried the sample of Osmocote Plus with 15-19-12 formulation for their orchids. Days after trying the sample, the Ibarras instantly noticed their orchids became more vigorous. Dr. Ibarra said that the orchids were much greener.

Because their orchids are more productive than before, Gintong Talulot was able to service the needs of their clients and customers, some reaching even as far as Manila. The youngest of the Ibarra’s daughter, Pearl, said that Manila customers are more discriminating than other customers so much so that they implement some sort of “quality control” standards before the flowers are accepted.

The Ibarras were very thankful that they used Osmocote Plus for their potted ornamentals especially orchids. Dr. Ibarra personally assures that Osmocote is very safe for all types of potted plants as it does not cause over-feeding or burning of the root systems. In fact, he even said their growers accidentally discovered that their plants have a better flowering habit. The fertilizer also helped speed up the crops’ production cycle-their plants produced more flowers with bigger sizes and more shoots. These positive results led to an increase in their sales. Because of this, the Ibarras have continuously relied upon this fertilizer. They apply the fertilizer to their crops thrice the normal recommendation of one scoop/pot, once every six months.

For aerial types, Dr. Ibarra relies only on his tried and tested water soluble fertilizer, Peters Professional. He says he never goes wrong with Peters General Purpose (20-2020) and Peters Blossom Booster (9-45-15). Applying the right amount at the right stages of the orchids’ growth is the key to a successful orchid propagation.

Successful mark
Gintong Talulot has definitely made their mark in the industry. What started as a weekend activity for the couple ended as a family business where everyone, including their children, took part in building and managing it. Gintong Taliilot now has seven branches: Hanggan 2, Brgy. Dila, National Highway, Bay, Laguna; Hanggan 1, Brgy. Dila, National Highway, Bay, Laguna; Brgy. Talisay, National Highway, Tiaong, Quezon; Brgy. Palagaran, Tiaong, Quezon; Brgy. San Miguel, Sto. Tomas, Batangas; Brgy. Bacnotan, Calamba, Laguna; and Brgy. Lumil, Silang, Cavite.

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