algae preventative-how often?

[VickiC]

Hi everyone,
I'm beginning to get a little embarressed because it seems like I'm asking questions to you almost on a daily basis (maybe I worry too much?? ). Anyway, I depend on your helpful answers a lot, so if you don't mind, here's my "question(s) for the day":

How often should I treat my orchids for algae prevention....each time I water, once a month or.....?? I understand now that I can treat with either 1 ounce Physan 20 mixed with a gallon of water.....or 1 teas bleach, mixed with a gallon of water.....correct? Also, do you have a preference between the 2?
Thanks (always) in advance,
Vicki

[VickiC]

OOPS.....HERE I GO AGAIN.....I meant to post this question is S/H.....sorry!

Originally Posted by VickiC

Hi everyone,
I'm beginning to get a little embarressed because it seems like I'm asking questions to you almost on a daily basis (maybe I worry too much?? ). Anyway, I depend on your helpful answers a lot, so if you don't mind, here's my "question(s) for the day":

How often should I treat my orchids for algae prevention....each time I water, once a month or.....?? I understand now that I can treat with either 1 ounce Physan 20 mixed with a gallon of water.....or 1 teas bleach, mixed with a gallon of water.....correct? Also, do you have a preference between the 2?
Thanks (always) in advance,
Vicki

[JamesK]

Vicki,

I wouldn't worry too much about the algae. It in itself won't hurt the orchids one bit. I don't treat for algae because the chemicals used are not good for the orchids really either.

I use a non-chemical method to keep the algae down. I keep my pots in other pots, so the light won't get to them. No light = no algae.

Good luck with your S/H plants!

Most all of my plants are in S/H and all that are do well.

[lambelkip]

there's some debate about whether or not you should treat it for algae.
see this thread and this one (both in the S/H forum) for more details.

[VickiC]

Hi James,
I tried your prevention method of "S/H-pot-within-a-pot", but haven't found any outside pots that my S/H pots fit in correctly. I tried to find some old colored plastic ones here at home that would fit the bill, but I don't have the right size.....I tried my clay ones, and my S/H plastic pot was a little hard to lift out without "disturbing" the medium, so if I decide to go the same route as you, I'll have to try to come up with better-size pots.

I don't mind at all if there's algae present in the S/H pots as long as it doesn't pose a problem. The only thing that concerned me was the chance it might continue to grow and possibly stop up the S/H drain holes. Ray says that the amount of algae accumulation in my pots is insignificant now, so I'm not concerned anymore, although I still may try your method, like I said.

Thanks for your help....always appreciate any info,
Vicki

Originally Posted by JamesK

Vicki,

I wouldn't worry too much about the algae. It in itself won't hurt the orchids one bit. I don't treat for algae because the chemicals used are not good for the orchids really either.

I use a non-chemical method to keep the algae down. I keep my pots in other pots, so the light won't get to them. No light = no algae.

Good luck with your S/H plants!

Most all of my plants are in S/H and all that are do well.

[VickiC]

Hi!
Thanks for the links! I believe I'm just going to sit tight and not really do anything, other than possibly sit my S/H pots in darker ones, as James says he does.

Thanks again,k
Vicki

Originally Posted by lambelkip

there's some debate about whether or not you should treat it for algae.
see this thread and this one (both in the S/H forum) for more details.