Orchids in water culture

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Becky

I aim for nutrient solution 125ppm Nitrogen and now use MSU fertilizer from Ray Barkalow. If you haven't done already it is worthwhile to read his articles on fertilizers on his website firstrays.com.
If you use one of the usual 20-20-20 fertilizers like Tomato Food you would need about one half teaspoon per gallon.
I use this ratio for everything most of the time and top off to keep all roots covered at all times with one half strength of this solution because the algae is also using nutirents. It is important not to have roots exposed since a lot of pathological organisms depend on wet dry cycles to reproduce. However, if I have time, I just water my heavy feeders first and add extra water to the bottle for the low feeders.

[Becky15349]

I will have to read those articles...the problem is, I don't really have a lot of time to be mixing fertilizer solutions, so I currently just use the Shultz' Orchid Fertilzer that I buy at Home Depot. Maybe I will look into what Ray Barkalow uses.

I really enjoyed this thread - I think water culture could be a very good thing. Thank you for sharing all your information with us!!

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Becky

I just want to clarify what I meant. The most important number is usually the first one, the one for Nitrogen. If it is 20 you use one half teaspoon if it is less you will have to increase the amount in the same proportion it differs from 20.

[Joansorchid]

Originally Posted by Sun rm.N.E.

Joan

You are funny. It is my last resort since it stains everything. Right now my nails are purple since I overestimated my fine motor skills.

Years ago we used to use it to treat thrush in infant's mouth if the other drugs failed to work.

No seriously we used to use it for thrush but in the horses hooves!
You all seem to use such strange things that I want to get it clear. Hey if you use hydrogen peroxide you could try using Colgates Peroxyl mouth wash. for the chids I mean.
Joan xx

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Joan

It's your turn to try it first. I am working on Sulfonamide antibiotics now.

[Joansorchid]

Originally Posted by Sun rm.N.E.

Joan

It's your turn to try it first. I am working on Sulfonamide antibiotics now.

Yeah!
But I am only a little junior so I to your experience.
Joan

[Buds!]

Here are my water culture orchids:
Lc John Tomaske 'Hihimanu'- put into plastic container mid Sept.



Onc. Sharry Baby- 17/10/08.
There are some good new root growth and a new bulb.




Beer glass catt 17/10/08



These orchids may look a bit smelly, but they are not.
I was expecting rot in this experiment, but they seem to be quite happy.

I have all the water culture orchids sitting on an east window sill, with lots of warm morning sun.

I might try a phal bellina seedling in water culture this weekend.

[Joansorchid]

Hi
They look pretty good on the water treatment. I am now thinking of putting my Cat. in the same sort of thing because the pseudo bulbs always look very lined! I was thinking of perhaps putting marble chips in the bottom to stop the container getting knocked over. Has anyone else done it this way?
Joan x

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Buds

Your catts look very good. Below is a picture of my Blc. Mari's Glory and a Leptantes bicolor. I sent the picture of the roots of the Blc. to H. of H&R, the hybridizer and he could not believe that such a small root mass produced two perfect flowers.


Sharry Baby definitely prefers water culture as you can see from the pictures.



Your Sharry roots also look good. If I were you I would put on rubber gloves and clean up the decaying roots and stuff and raise the plant a bit to give more room for root development.

About the Phal., I just have to remind you that I have never been successful with them in water culture. There is a long thread on someone trying phals. in water culture in the Semi Hydro forum but there is no feedback on how he made out.

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Joan

I would not put anything in the solution that would change the pH of the solution unless you want to experiment. It may also be more difficult to clean when you start having dead algae or decaying matter accumulate inevitably if you use the method long-term.

When I use disposable plastic cups or containers i simply put the cups in flower pots or some attractive sturdy container. Otherwise they usually get knocked over.