Ok, so I was told one of my orchids needed a calcium supplement, and after hemming and hawing about what to do about it, I finally decided to make a trip to the pet store, where someone had suggested I can actually find lots of stuff orchids like.
After pondering whether to buy the liquid or solid form of "Repti-Calcium," I finally decided to go with the solid (it was cheaper)...the plan being to get it home and use it as a top-dressing for my calcium-hungry orchid.
I was expecting chunky stuff...instead, this soft white powder is...well, it's basically super-finely ground classroom chalk. I just spent $6.00 for crap I already have in bulk at home. I could have just run the chalk I bought my kids for $1 at the supermarket through the food processor, and ta-da...I would have had a chunky calcium supplement to mix in with my substrate.
Instead, I am now literally covered in white dust, because the white powder went flying everywhere (including up my nose) as I tried to distribute some of it across the top of my bark. I have a feeling I ended up dumping way too much in.
On the bright side, if a random lizard ever makes its home in one of my orchid pots, it certainly won't suffer from a calcium deficiency.
Anyone got any better ideas on how to give my orchids some calcium? If not, I'll be smashing up some classroom chalk in my kitchen.
Dendrobium Calcium Supplement Hilarity
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