Ray's Orchid Formula Test (UPDATE #1)

[Ray]

Over the years, I found combinations of containers and media that "worked" for my plants, allowing them to all be watered identically and frequently, while maintaining the proper airiness for each individual, from vandas in baskets with no media to paphs in semi-hydroponics, and pretty much anything and everything else in between.

Remember - water does not cause rot, and it is possible to slowly and carefully "push" your plants to develop root systems that thrive in a wetter environment.

My greenhouse water supply was RO extracted from a well, so I had no concerns about water conservation, and knowing that water is the driving force behind growth, I evolved my culture to nearly "diluvian".

[Bloomer001]

Liked: "...knowing that water is the driving force behind growth, I evolved my culture to nearly 'diluvian'."

Your diluvian setup sounds interesting.

I guess "standing water" is the problem that causes rot. I just grow Phals at the moment.
I have some sphagnum moss in layers in the media bn the bark. For my environment it allows constant moisture, without retaining too much water in the media, and allows a few days grace period if I forget to water. Though on hot days I am careful to give a good watering.

I think water quality is something ppl overlook. I think a good filter is essential to maximize growth. In my humble opinion RO is overdoing it a bit, as it takes out valuable minerals (I know some ferts include some minerals. I think re-mineralize attachments are gimmicks.) I think a good carbon and flouride filter takes out the bad and leaves the good.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Bloomer001

I think water quality is something ppl overlook. I think a good filter is essential to maximize growth. In my humble opinion RO is overdoing it a bit, as it takes out valuable minerals (I know some ferts include some minerals. I think re-mineralize attachments are gimmicks.) I think a good carbon and flouride filter takes out the bad and leaves the good.

There are several points there to which I disagree.

I’d you live in an area where the mineral content is very high, an RO system is anything but overkill. Excessively high mineral content can kill a plant, especially if the water has a high alkalinity.

Don’t forget that orchids have evolved getting “nature’s distilled” water and that the mineral nutrient level in it are minuscule and only present for that first instant that a rainstorm washes them out of the forest canopy down onto them.

A decent quality fertilizer contains everything a plant needs. Sure, there are some that are incomplete, but why would you use them?

Remineralizer cartridges typically contain calcium and magnesium carbonate, both of which are important minerals. Yes, they work.

[Bloomer001]

I guess RO is useful for water with heavy particularites. I'm filtering NYC water which is low in particularites. I'm concerned with filtering out the chemical additives the city puts in, mainly Cloramine, Chlorine, and Flouride. I think carbon abd flouride filters work well for this. I read that remineralization cartridges primarily adjust ph and don't have enough time to reintroduce minerals back inro water. That's why I thought they are gimmicks.

You raise a good point re rain water. It's basically distilled water, which is comparable to RO water. That's what epiphytes are drinking, along with whatever washes down the branches.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Bloomer001

I guess RO is useful for water with heavy particularites. I'm filtering NYC water which is low in particularites. I'm concerned with filtering out the chemical additives the city puts in, mainly Cloramine, Chlorine, and Flouride. I think carbon abd flouride filters work well for this. I read that remineralization cartridges primarily adjust ph and don't have enough time to reintroduce minerals back inro water. That's why I thought they are gimmicks.

You raise a good point re rain water. It's basically distilled water, which is comparable to RO water. That's what epiphytes are drinking, along with whatever washes down the branches.

RO filters use three different mechanisms of filtration:

The first is a sediment filter to remove suspended solids - particulates. The level of particulates in NYC tap water probably isn’t worth being concerned about, but if it is, that is the way to eliminate them.

The second is activated carbon, which absorbs organic compounds and chlorine.

Then we get to the reverse osmosis membrane, which removes dissolved minerals.

Residential systems often have an activated carbon post-filter or mineralized, as we discussed earlier.

[Marzenna]

Originally Posted by Bloomer001

Hello Everyone!

It's been almost 2 months since I started Ray's formula (Kelpak, K-Lite Fertilizer, & Quantum Total Microbial --- aka Optimum Growth Package, started 11/29/2023.) I don't see any noticable change yet, but it's too soon to tell.

To tell you the truth I think these few plants are definitely too small of a sample size to draw any specific conclusions.