Rainbarrels - Orchid Board

mattryan · #1 07-27-2011, 06:42 PM

I have been searching as many sites as I can, but haven't found an answer to my specific question. I checked my towns ph level and it is really quite high between 8.4-12.6, 164mg/L so it is on the higher end. Now I have them in bark and have been giving them a higher nitrogen fertilizer for the last couple of months. I have had some new leaf and root growth, but nothing too spectacular. I have had a rainbarrel since last year and I am wondering if changing to watering with this water would be more beneficial? Now if I do use the rainwater and it's a little green, should I boil it first, or can just use it the colour that it is with no harm coming to the orchids? It has a screen top so there's not much debri inside the barrel, but I will still strain. Also can fertilizer be added to the rw or should tap water still be used with fertilzation? I really want to give my plants the best possible conditions for maximum growth. Thanks for any help I learn so much everyday about these plants. My husband says I have obsessive/compulsive disorder when it comes to these plants.

Kelo · #2 07-27-2011, 06:47 PM

Personally, I wouldn't use green water because you couldn't be sure if it was going to damage the plant. I use tap water that's been standing for a few days and since my tap water is 7.0 I lower the ph with home made cider vinegar. Works a treat too!

mattryan · #3 07-27-2011, 07:56 PM

Thanks kelo I have been reading up and vinegar can be quite tricky or alot of the other citric remedies. I am going to power wash out my barrel tonight as we're getting some rain so all should be ok. Also made a boo boo ph is 8.06-8.12 still higher than I would like. Also we have a fare bit of salt in our water, enough for dr's to inform their sodium reduced patients. So I give it a go and see if next year I see and different results. Thanks again

Val · #4 07-27-2011, 08:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattryan

Now if I do use the rainwater and it's a little green, should I boil it first

The green color could be a sign that algae have begun to develop. Algae are basically harmless, maybe a little nuissance when they grow to much. Some Physan20 should take care of them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattryan

My husband says I have obsessive/compulsive disorder when it comes to these plants.

Join the club! Oh, wait, you already have

cday2inflorida · #5 07-27-2011, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Val

Join the club! Oh, wait, you already have

sii · #6 07-27-2011, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattryan

I have been searching as many sites as I can, but haven't found an answer to my specific question. I checked my towns ph level and it is really quite high between 8.4-12.6, 164mg/L so it is on the higher end.

My husband says I have obsessive/compulsive disorder when it comes to these plants.

how did you find the water's ph? Maybe mine's the same.

haha, you've described my hubby.

Ray · #7 07-28-2011, 09:23 AM

I agree that the algae is of no consequence.

Please consider the following:

1) Ontario ground water is fairly low in dissolved solids, so any, even minor addition by your municipality can cause the pH to move significantly.

2) However, that relative lack of buffering might also suggest that once you add your fertilizer, it might turn acidic. Whether the pH is in the right range (I prefer 5.5-6.5) or too acidic, I cannot say.

3) With collected rainwater, which contains no buffering ions at all, the addition of most "off the shelf" fertilizers will result in dangerously-low pH, so you'll either have to adjust it back up to the porper range, or use a fertilizer intended for pure water.

mattryan · #8 07-29-2011, 10:07 AM

Thankyou val,cathy sii and ray. Should I use the rainwater just to flush the salts out then and use my tap water when I fertilize, would that remedy the situation? My town has a very high salt content to it's water and I would think flushing with salty water wouldn't make sence? Sii if you live in york region I can give you the #'s if you like, otherwise you can go on internet and google your town/region water and it should tell you there.

eggshells · #9 07-29-2011, 10:33 AM

Do you have many plants? If its feasible, you can just by RO water at some grocery store and use that. If you have a lot of plants. Its much more easier to just get one installed. Our municipal water is 7.5 but very high on TDS around 300- 350. If you add some fertilizer. It could easily jumps up to 400-500.

I use Reverse Osmosis water and adjust the PH accordingly by using PHup or PHdown. you can buy those testers at a hydroponic store. But if you have only a few plants. RO water should do fine. Get an 18L jug and just refill it.

sii · #10 07-29-2011, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattryan

Thankyou val,cathy sii and ray. Should I use the rainwater just to flush the salts out then and use my tap water when I fertilize, would that remedy the situation? My town has a very high salt content to it's water and I would think flushing with salty water wouldn't make sence? Sii if you live in york region I can give you the #'s if you like, otherwise you can go on internet and google your town/region water and it should tell you there.

Oh, I don't live in york region, but I do live close. But I'll check it out. Thanks!