Beginner Growing 5 Phals, 2 Vandas, 2 Catts, 2 Dendrobs, 3 Oncidiums -$35 shop light

[annie.exe]

thank you!

[Orchid Whisperer]

The fertilizer you have is fine to start, but based on the label, lacks phosphorous. Go ahead and use it though. You'll find over time that although fertilizer is not insignificant, it is one the least important parts of orchid care.

When that fertilizer is done, consider one like this: https://www.amazon.com/Peters-52624-...22521755&psc=1. It is not marketed for orchids, but the formulation is still a good one. Even better if your water is hard, as this is a hard water formulation.

[annie.exe]

Thank you! I'll save that one for next time

I'm glad to hear you still think the formula is good. I got it from Orchids Limited here in MN. It's good to know that fertilizer won't break the bank either!

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by annie.exe

Thank you! I'll save that one for next time

I'm glad to hear you still think the formula is good. I got it from Orchids Limited here in MN. It's good to know that fertilizer won't break the bank either!

Yep. BTW, I checked City of Minneapolis water quality online, it is moderately hard (nothing to worry about). If you are outside the city and on a well, your water could be harder (still might be fine). Point is, the hard water formulation may be a good choice.

Why do I know this stuff? I'm a geologist, 30+ years experience, mostly related to environmental issues, including water quality. A good bit of on-the-job training in plant science and nutrient utilization too.

[cluelessmidwesterner]

I am going to ask this here since you are in Minnesota and I'm here in Iowa and we have basically the same amount of solids dissolved in our water (very hard water). Does that make a difference when we water our orchids? By that I mean should we use bottled water rather than tap that's been sitting over night?

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by cluelessmidwesterner

I am going to ask this here since you are in Minnesota and I'm here in Iowa and we have basically the same amount of solids dissolved in our water (very hard water). Does that make a difference when we water our orchids? By that I mean should we use bottled water rather than tap that's been sitting over night?

Minneapolis draws it's city water from the river, and that water has lower hardness than, for example, a well in the same area. The moderate hardness for Minneapolis water is in the 65-110 ppm range, based on published city water reports. You can compare that to the water hardness scale: Hardness. Moderate hardness is fine for many orchids.

I have sampled shallow well water in southwest Minnesota, very close to Iowa, and the water down there is quite high in sulfate in some locations (calcium sulfate, or gypsum, which together with magnesium sulfate, contribute to "permanent hardness", which can't be removed by boiling). In moderation, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur can be good for orchids (I have to provide these elements in my water in northeast Georgia).

If you are on municipal water, get online and look up your city water quality report (from the utility). Or call the utility and ask what the range is for hardness, also for total dissolved solids. If you are on a private well, you can get advice from your local water utility about labs that can test for these measures. Get this information before resorting to expensive bottled water. If the numbers are too high, you can always dilute with rain water, snow melt, etc.

[annie.exe]

I’m right next to Minneapolis in a little suburb called Robbinsdale. We’re not on Minneapolis’ water and are known to have hard water.

I found this report at the top of this brewing forum thread for my city: Robbinsdale, MN Water Report | HomeBrewTalk.com - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Community.

Luckily there’s a place a block up the road from me where you can fill a five gallon jug with RO water for only 35 cents if I have to resort to that :/

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by cluelessmidwesterner

I am going to ask this here since you are in Minnesota and I'm here in Iowa and we have basically the same amount of solids dissolved in our water (very hard water). Does that make a difference when we water our orchids? By that I mean should we use bottled water rather than tap that's been sitting over night?

Originally Posted by annie.exe

I’m right next to Minneapolis in a little suburb called Robbinsdale. We’re not on Minneapolis’ water and are known to have hard water.

I found this report at the top of this brewing forum thread for my city: Robbinsdale, MN Water Report | HomeBrewTalk.com - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Community.

Luckily there’s a place a block up the road from me where you can fill a five gallon jug with RO water for only 35 cents if I have to resort to that :/

The water report provides some very useful information. Your water is very high in total dissolved solids and also very hard. It is different from what I saw in southwest MN (northwest of Fairmont), less sulfate. You could mix 1 part of your Robbinsdale water to 2 parts RO water, that should be enough to dilute the solids yet leave you some beneficial cations (Ca, Mg).

[annie.exe]

Thank you!! I thought it was pretty lucky to find that report. There's only about 12,000 people here so.. lucky ^_^

It's good to know it would be beneficial to keep some of the nutrients in my city water.

[Orchid Whisperer]

<sorry -deleted accidental duplicate post>