Why spiking now?

[CJ Green]

I'm in the same boat--I don't know anyone personally who grows orchids. Vermont's a small state but for me the Twin State Orchid Society is more than an hour away. The Amherst, Mass., orchid society is a bit closer but still too far to make it practical to join, although I go to their shows. There's a good florist in a town nearby me, though, and the people there are great for having orchid conversations. (But of course, it often leads to buying an orchid!)

For the people who use MSU fertilizer--did you test your water first, or is that not necessary?

[Dollythehun]

I've tested my water several times. It falls into good parameters but, I filter it. MSU comes for well water or rain/ro water, I believe. Most orchids aren't super picky but, my water for some reason, binds up essential minerals over time. So, I started using cal-mag. My tds is 120-140 range (I forget) and my pH is slightly south of 7.

[greenpassion]

Originally Posted by Dollythehun

I've tested my water several times. It falls into good parameters but, I filter it. MSU comes for well water or rain/ro water, I believe. Most orchids aren't super picky but, my water for some reason, binds up essential minerals over time. So, I started using cal-mag. My tds is 120-140 range (I forget) and my pH is slightly south of 7.

I also use cal-mag. I feed the MSU at a quarter teaspoon per gallon. Every time I water. In that I also use 1/4 teaspoon of Cal Mag, and very recently with wonderful results, I've been using kelp Max very weekly as well. my phalaenopsis have never been healthier except for these weird things that go on every now and then.

---------- Post added at 01:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:28 PM ----------

Originally Posted by Roberta

Do you live anywhere near this?
Twin State Orchid Society

Worth doing a bit of driving to find other orchid lovers to talk to.

I'll have to Google that Roberta. I don't know where it is. But that won't stop me!

[greenpassion]

just trying to practice sending some photos from my camera instead of a document. I just tried to send like five to the growing under lights forum and nothing came through. But when I uploaded photos from documents two of them came through. So I'm trying to keep up with the topic of this posting I'm going to try to send a pic of one of my double spiked phalaenopsis

[greenpassion]

Ahhh! It came out upside down!