No rain water but lots of snow, how about fertilizer?

[LinhT]

Hello,
I have minimum orchid care knowledge and need any advice I can get regarding water & fertilizer. I now have 4 NOID phals (thanks to Lowe's, HD & Costco for not labeling anything). 3 of them are in Schultz orchid promix and 1 is in some kind of moss. I wanted to try using rain water to water them but we just have snow in MN now. Too much snow. I guess I should be testing the ph of the snow first in case it's too acidic. I've also read some posts on using 20-20-20 fertilizer. If there's something better I should be using please advise. I've read about MSU but don't know if it's appropriate for my orchids or where to get it.

I could not find 20-20-20, just 10-10-10 which I think is essentially the same, just have to use more of it? So could I & should I add 10-10-10 to the melted snow or is that in some way over feeding?

Thanks all!

Tracy (scared & running back to lurker land)

[Ross]

If you are still planning on purchasing something, please read Ray's info Category Listing - Chemicals regarding MSU mix. It is pretty pouolar here.

[IdahoOrchid]

The fert you mention would work just fine for the plants you have. I would use it at about 1/2 the strength as described on the container. You could then increase the amount as you see how the plants respond.

Were you considering using the snow because you have "bad" tap water?

[Ray]

Be careful about using regular fertilizers with snow.

As snow is simply frozen rain, meaning a pure water source, using a typical off-the-shelf fertilizer is likely to result in a solution pH that is too low for use. You can either adjust it back to the high 5's/low 6's, or get a fertilizer designed for a pure water supply.

I have to poke Steven in the ribs on this one: it's not good to recommend that you use "about 1/2 the strength described on the container" when we have no idea what that is! A teaspoon per gallon of a 10-10-10 (1/2 that for a 20-20-20), used at three out of four waterings, is a pretty good level.

I do agree with his last question, though - is there a particular reason you want to go to the trouble of melting snow?

[LinhT]

Thanks Ross! I was so busy reading Ray's culture info I forgot he sells chemicals.

Steven & Ray, I decided to try melted snow because I'd rather use some source of pure water. I've used tap water on my first orchid and other house plants in the past and had to deal with disgusting salt buildup. Since I have 2 feet of snow on the balcony of my room that my orchids are in, I figured I'd make some use of it. Sure beats shoveling.

"1 tsp/gal of 10-10-10 used at 3 out of 4 waterings is a pretty good level." That was the exact info I was looking for initially. However, since Ross gave me that link, I placed my order last night for some MSU type fert for pure water. So do I use the MSU upto the point when buds are about to form, then switch to something like 19-31-17? Or keep using MSU for every stage of growth?

[Ross]

I know you aimed that to Ray, but I just wanted to chime in that I have not used anything BUT MSU for RO water since I first started this regime last spring. I have had blossoms (perhaps more than normal ) right along. Last year I did the starve and binge thing with fertilizer and got half the growth and few spikes. For me, I plan to stay with this regimen from here on out.

[LinhT]

Hey thanks Ross! I was wondering about the switch because most "bloom booster" ferts have that higher Phos content. With the MSU, the Phos seems to be in lower amount than the N & K. Anyhow, I trust results more than anything theoretical so I'll stick with just the MSU and forget the 19-31-17.

[Ray]

I have used the MSU stuff for 5 years now. Every watering, no changes.

[LinhT]

Thanks Ray! Can't wait to get my new fert and see the results.

[IdahoOrchid]

Originally Posted by Ray

I have to poke Steven in the ribs on this one:

OW!!!

That is how I have always been taught to fertilize with that type of fertilizer and not had problems: use at one quarter to one have recommended dosage. Same thing on the bonsai side of things.