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09-21-2009, 03:59 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Zone: 8a
Location: West Midlands, UK
Age: 49
Posts: 25,462
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Oh, yeah, also forgot to say that monthly flushing is a good idea.
I aim for monthly but it's more a case of when I remember. Just realised I should have done it this week but I've fertilised them all now.
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09-21-2009, 04:09 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Feb 2008
Zone: 5b
Location: W. Bloomfield, Michigan
Posts: 3,086
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Rosie thanks... I knew you knew what you were doing... just wanted to keep you honest!!!!!!!
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09-21-2009, 04:46 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2008
Zone: 8a
Location: West Midlands, UK
Age: 49
Posts: 25,462
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09-21-2009, 05:13 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Northern Virginia
Age: 85
Posts: 388
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until just recently I have been bringing the orchids (all genera) to the sink and putting them in cereal dishes and pouring water or water/fertilizer on the top of the medium and letting them sit for about 1/2 hr (however long it takes me to eat breakfast) then drain and replace in their window spots. Once a month I flush at the sink with tepid water and this goes for all genera (otherwise some get distilled water during the month.)
Recently I have noticed this procedure seems to be loosening the plants particularly some of my Paphs and some of the minature Phals. I actually lost a Paph because it disconnect crown from root. Those plants now get treated at the window sill by flooding through the medium. The humidity trays pick up the pass through. I am not looking forward to cleaning these trays!
Just my input
Nick
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09-21-2009, 05:43 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Zone: 5a
Posts: 45
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Uhm... what does the loosening of a plant entail, exactly?
...Thanks! I'm such a noob.
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09-21-2009, 08:20 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Northern Virginia
Age: 85
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The plant either comes loose in the medium or, if it has never been stable, stays loose. Essentially you can easily pull it out. I have been told, especially regarding Paph and Phrag that it takes a while for the roots to establish well enough to anchor the plant and if they are allowed to wiggle around, that won't happen.
Nick
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09-22-2009, 04:02 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Sep 2009
Zone: 5a
Posts: 45
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That makes sense - if my new Phal didn't have a support for her spike, she'd fall over for sure. Thanks!
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10-13-2009, 05:37 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 49
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Thank you for everyone's responses! This was really helpful. I'm starting to mist the aerial roots between waterings, which is working out great. I might try a thin layer of moss on top for the aerial roots...though since I had a phal die in moss I will probably be cautious with it!
My next watering I'll try using the mix-in-water fertilizer I have and put the inner pots in a larger pot to soak in, then pour out the water after each orchid. I'll keep in mind to water just with plain water every once in awhile to flush out any salts. The packaging suggests fertilizing every time, and it seems like many of you here have had success with that, too, so I think that's the route I should take.
I think that summarizes the recommendations? Thank you everyone! I feel better about watering now...
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11-07-2009, 01:26 PM
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Jr. Member
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Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5
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I have read in some orchid manuals not to use tap water. But it sounds like tap works well for you folks. Am I understanding this correctly?
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11-07-2009, 02:53 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Northern Virginia
Age: 85
Posts: 388
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cdecost
I have read in some orchid manuals not to use tap water. But it sounds like tap works well for you folks. Am I understanding this correctly?
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the answer depends on how "hard" your tap water is. In my situation it is about in the middle regards hardness so I use tap water on all except Masdies, phrags and paphs (and one or two others.) A hint the water has too many minerals and/or the combination of water and fertilizer, is if the tips of the leaves blacken. I have had this happen and stopped further damage (can't reverse damage already done) by switching to distilled water.
Nick
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