Welcome to OrchidsForum.com. We are a friendly online community for Orchid Growers all over the world. If you haven't joined yet we invite you to register and join our community. Hope to see you on our forums!

Is shark cartilage a good nutrient?

Discussion in 'General Chat' started by jai, Dec 30, 2015.

  1. jai

    jai Orchid addict

    Messages:
    915
    Likes Received:
    119
    Location:
    youngstown ohio
    Is shark cartilage a good nutrient to give orchids? I read that some people use crush sandstone or bone as a extra nutrient with fertilizing but what about shark cartilage? I know its weird/strange question to ask like some others I asked in the past(that I had no guts to try yet) just thinking outside the box.
     
  2. Marni

    Marni Well-Known Member Staff Member Supporting Member

    Messages:
    13,779
    Likes Received:
    3,577
    Location:
    Santa Rosa, CA
    I would be concerned that while sandstone and bone are in good supply, sharks are having a hard enough time as it is. What nutrients are you expecting to get from it?
     
  3. jai

    jai Orchid addict

    Messages:
    915
    Likes Received:
    119
    Location:
    youngstown ohio
    Marni,
    Thats what I want to know, because I have a local herb shop near me that I get acacia sap for my sugar glider and seen they have shark cartilage and wonder if it could be a added benefit for orchids. Not that I'm going to try it(I stick with the regular and tested orchid fertilizers), just curious:)
     
    Last edited: Dec 30, 2015
  4. Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

    Messages:
    1,831
    Likes Received:
    596
    Location:
    Oak Island NC
    One product claims that 750 mg contains

    Calcium 270 mg
    Phosphorus as phosphate 142 mg
    7.5 mg sodium
    Magnesium 3 mg
    Potassium 1.5 mg
    Zinc < 0.7 mg
    Iron < 0.03 mg
    Iodine 0.02 %
    Heavy metals <10 ppm

    There are better, less expensive products with less of an impact.