New--Fertilizer and Plant Growth Stimulant

[Zoren]

well today is Watering/Feeding day. I purchased K-Lite and KelpMax from Ray 'First Ray'. Aside from the order we had a nice conversation, 'looking forward to speaking to you again'. I'm not using the KelpMax at this watering, I will start using it August 1st, and then apply ONLY one time per month, as instructed.
Now, to my questions: I now understand how to water in the S/H mode of orchid growing (flood the pots). I have noticed because I live in South Florida and face SSW and have temperatures in the 90's I have to water a minimum of two times per week (probably more in August), that's alright I'm Retired any way .
Before I ask my question, I have to explain not only the conditions of my growing but the fact that I have never had any problems with Diseases or Pests that I have read other orchid 'Keepers' (my word) have (the only pests I have are small ants and I have 'Wolf Spiders'). That is why I feel that 'my environment is sterile'.
When I water/feed my orchids I pour the water through and flood the plant--I do the same thing to all my plants one by one-- I reuse the same water (I make about two gallons) for all the plants. I have noticed that the TDS ppm of the water increases. Is it alright to reuse the water/fertilizer over and over again, and when I'm finished watering, through out what's left of the fertilizer. Any suggestions, opinions or facts will be helpful....Zoren..

[fishmom]

It is tempting to re-use the same water, but if you develop any pathogens in a plant, the water will spread things around very efficiently. Congratulations on having healthy plants,but I assure you that your environment is not sterile.



As a California dweller, I have to be mindful of water wasting, so I would like to reuse water also. Another alternative, though, is to catch the water and use it on other plants in the garden. Safer for the orchids that way.

[Dollythehun]

The OB broke me early on of community soaking. I now follow the same method as Fishmom.

[Leafmite]

When I first started growing orchids, I shared water and never had any problems. I need to buy the water as we have a water softener so I am not going to waste water.

Currently, I have all my non-mounted orchids set up so I can water from a watering can and let the extra water sit in the bowls or saucers. Many are in lava rock, the Phrag is in leca, the Paph is in charcoal and sponge rock and some have no medium at all. All are in basket pots.

[Ray]

As others have wisely pointed out - IF any plant has a pathogen (they all do, it just isn't bad enough to cause issues, and will stay that way unless you screw up the culture and weaken the plants so they "surrender"), sharing the water is the ideal way to spread it around.

The reason the TDS climbs is that stuff is being extracted from each pot (fertilizer residue from past waterings, plant wastes, airborne crud) and added to the "soup".

Don't do it.

Yes, I understand that some folks are worried about being environmentally friendly or about the cost and wastefulness, but if that's your concern, don't grow orchids.

[Zoren]

Good morning all, I appreciate all of the responses to my question. I would have to say that my re-use of water is probably out of laziness. As for cost of or catching water, I'm using the run off of water from my portable A/C unit (I catch about 1.5-2 gallons) a night, so I realize that I can afford to water each plant without reusing the water. Sometimes I need reminders, so thank you all. ...Zoren...

[greenpassion]

As far as laziness goes, you'd find NOT reusing water will save you much more time then if something were to happen by reusing it.

[Optimist]

I reuse water with orchid fertilizer in it on other plants like my iris in a little flower bed. Since I do not fertilize every watering I tend to use plain water much of the time. Our water comes from a mineral aquafer so it has many of the micronutrients in it. The only orchids this seems to harm are phrags. If you get rainwater there, you don't need to water as much either.

[lizj]

I lost my entire phal collection to a virus by sharing the water. Never again.