Some general Phal questions...

[camille1585]

PE? What's that?

[The Mutant]

Physical Education.

But I somehow have this odd feeling that this isn't what Discus means.



I'll go buy some citric acid tomorrow then. Thanks!

[camille1585]

Lol, that's what came to mind first! That and Price-Earning ratio, which it also obviously can't be!

I have no clue where to get citric acid here (my pH is 8). Dutch shops only sell very basic items, it's a nightmare to get a lot of things.

[The Mutant]

Who knows, it might be? Citric acid might have a hitherto unknown but major part in the Price-Earnings ratio calculations.

That sounds difficult. I'm glad I live in Sweden sometimes. Our local supermarkets sell much more that the basic stuff so there's never any shortage of things you need for the best orchid care apparently.

Phew! The wet-towels-over-radiator-trick works like a charm. My kitchen is even more uninhabitable now with the HR level at 51-52%. I think my Phals might die out of happiness.

[Hedge]

I find clustering my Phals on the windowsills around sinks (kitchen, utility) and the kettle, which I use a lot as I don't work, locally give the humidity i need. For plants that need a lot more than the average 45% we have indoors I have a glass cabinet, which IKEA sells, it isn't air tight, but by using pebble trays (hydroleca on cheap trays) on the shelves, I can get the RH up to 70% which my Paphiopedilums like.

By the way, I am sure that the dry air in your flat is due to heating - when you reduce the heating in the spring and summer, be sure to watch what happens - you don't want to develop molds/ damp in your home

[The Mutant]

Well, my Phals wouldn't fit on my sink since the collection has mysteriously grown (read: exploded in size).


Yup, I know that it's the heating that causes the dry air. It's a rather common problem in Sweden during winter. The wet-towel-over-radiator-trick will only be used as long as it's necessary. I highly doubt it will be necessary during summer but it's a good and cheap way to raise the humidity during the cold seasons.

When I woke up today, most of the towels were dry but the HR level was 50% (which is great). I've now put some fresh wet towels on the radiator (which isn't on since the temperature has reached whatever degree the central heating system is set on - this means I can't control the heat in my flat) and HR is at 54-56%.

How many believes that my Phals are very happily surprised by my efforts?

[Discus]

LOL sorry, P.E. is Port Elizabeth, the closest large city to me, where the "local" orchid soc for me is based.

---------- Post added at 11:20 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:19 AM ----------
Dutch Shops:
Basic things and Hagel Slag. nom nom nom.

---------- Post added at 11:23 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:20 AM ----------

Pretty sure the Phals are pleased, if not overly eager to show it like cats would be. Although TBH cats can be pretty cryptic about their positive feelings...

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Discus

LOL sorry, P.E. is Port Elizabeth, the closest large city to me, where the "local" orchid soc for me is based.

Basic things and Hagel Slag.

Oooohhh, that explains it!!! Guess you have to be from the country to understand 'PE'

Hagel slag as in chocolate sprinkles? Funny that the dutch name for them is still in use!

[Discus]

Yes, but the abbreviation is in such common usage around these parts I foolishly used it without thinking that it was rather cryptic.

They don't sell them here (Hagel Slag) - I once had some at a friend's house (his wife is of recent Dutch ancestry); I was most surprised to find chocolate sprinkles in what to me was a milk carton. Pleasant surprise, as IMO milk should stay in cows, but chocolate - chocolate is allowed as near to my mouth as it wants.