Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web !

Orchid Board - Most Complete Orchid Forum on the web ! (http://www.orchidboard.com/community/)

- Advanced Discussion (http://www.orchidboard.com/community/advanced-discussion/)

- - Best liquid organic fertilizer (http://www.orchidboard.com/community/advanced-discussion/68328-liquid-organic-fertilizer.html)

Thank you for clarifying this, David. KCl is quite a bit more expensive (3x), though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by naoki (Post 614903)

Thank you for clarifying this, David. KCl is quite a bit more expensive (3x), though.

I would use NaCl then; I really don't think that 10 or 20 ppm of NaCl is going to hurt most orchids. Do you test the conductivity of your RO water?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALToronto (Post 614510)

Your plants have also been getting KelpMax, which contains lots of trace elements that the manufactured inorganics don't have.

Alla - to-date, I have only done a general, greenhouse-wide application twice, so the additiona can't be all that significant.

"Stugglers" may get extra treatment.

---------- Post added at 08:51 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:43 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALToronto (Post 614841)

I have a 5-stage RO system. Would it have a carbon pre-filter?

Alla - in a standard, residential 5-stage system, that extra stage is a second carbon filter, added specifically for membrane protection from the chlorine.

---------- Post added at 08:54 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:51 AM ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidCampen (Post 614865)

Chloride does not hurt RO membranes, it is the chemically reactive, elemental chlorine that damages the membrane.

I have heard that sodium chloride is actually one of the easiest of dissolved solids for a membrane to block and get flushed away, suggesting that softened water will end up being the cleanest RO water - if the NaCl level isn't outrageously high.

how about some homemade compost tea with added amino acids, added fulvates, added B vitamin complex and mycorhizal inoculant? I have a batch brewing right now. Oh and I don't use any type of manure in my teas- ever!

Sorry forgot to add the 4 different liquid kelp extracts, glacial rock dust (or azomite will work to but has heavy metals) and a tiny bit of molasses to help with bacterial populations. I also add brewers yeast for the enzymes. Going for a balanced tea. Fungal/Bacterial

here is my tea. fully fortified with my own enriched compost I make.

I have "Down To Earth" all natural kelp meal. Has anyone used this? I use it in my veggie garden.