Fear of overwatering...best practices?

[Twilight Orchid]

Oooohhhhh!!! Ok, thanks gmdiaz.....I was reading some of Ray's fertilizer info earlier, but I got confused trying to convert litres and gallons and grams and teaspoons etc...so I gave up LOL.......how do you dunk them?? Like pots and all, submerge them into a bucket?

[gmdiaz]

I've got a big "cat litter" bucket. It's perfect because it's sort of rectangular. . .fits my biggest mounted orchids on cork. It has a snap on lid.

I pour in two gallons of RO water. I use plastic milk jugs. I fill them up at work where we've got a Culligan water cooler that has the RO filter etc. I add the MSU fertilizer with a little measuring spoon that I keep in it. Instructions for measuring are on the jar. I got my MSU fertilizer on ebay. I use a powdered form.

I dunk the whole pot in the bucket. . .a couple of times. And let it completely drain before I sit it back in its water catching, clear plastic saucer.

All the bark mix will float up out of the pot, if you dunk too deep. . .dip the pot just enough to fill with water.

Works like a charm!

[Twilight Orchid]

Very cool!...ok another dumb question....well, 2 more dumb ones LOL....1st. I'm using Shultz Orchid food...good or bad in your opinion? It's 19-31-17. Says to use half a scoop (0.75grams) per 2.5litre of lukewarm water. The scoop that is included is 1/4 teaspoon. Too many numbers, arrgghh!! Teehee.... 2nd. After you dunk, are you draining it back into the bucket, therefore reusing the same water?

[gmdiaz]

I am just using the same fertilizer that Ross uses. . .I have to, his mounted plants look amazing and are always blooming.

This is the sum total of what I know about fertilizer:

Nitrogen (Foliage) · Phosphorus (Blooms) · Potassium (Roots)

Go a little weaker than the recommended dose.

I'll let the scientific ones here. . .take up this question.

I am reusing the fertilized mix probably twice before I take it out and use it on my outdoor flowering plants. This is probably not a great idea, because of the possibility of transferring disease and viruses. But I haven't had a problem with this.

[Twilight Orchid]

Oh I see...well, I tried to use Ray's fertilizer calculator, but I goofed when trying to convert to gallons etc....as it is calling for 1/2 a scoop...Ive been using about 1/3 of the scoop...dunno if that's weak enough or not......especially if used every time I water....

[gmdiaz]

Go with the instructions on the bottle of fertilizer but cut the dose in half. . . that would be safe.

[Twilight Orchid]

Wow, I must be slow today.. ...I just re-read your post, and you're reusing it twice? Are you able to do all of your plants in the one batch? And then saving it and using again in a week's time (for example, or however often you water) Can you please clarify for my poor little peabrain?
Thankee!!

[gmdiaz]

Yep, I am using the same water in the bucket. .twice.

Remember I filled it up with TWO gallons. I don't have a ton of orchids. That amount goes a LONG way for me.

[Twilight Orchid]

Thanks gmdiaz - I will cut the dose in half then.... I really appreciate your excellent advice

Doesn't the water go wonky after awhile? How long does it keep for? I'd be concerned about bacteria growing if it was kept for any length of time.....

[gmdiaz]

You're very welcome!

I don't keep the water very long. . .just a week or week and a half. I take the rest and use it on the outdoor plants.