Irrigation and Fertilizer Confusion with Auto System - Orchid Board

D&S Mabel · #1 07-27-2008, 08:33 PM

Hello All!

I recently rearranged the way I handle my sun & water loving orchids. I set up a small, automatic watering system on my pool deck. So far, the results have been very positive, lots of new root growth and flower shoots appearing on most all of the plants - really shows that I was underwatering and inconsistent with my previous care methods. My setup looks like this -

I put up a length of galvanized pipe and attached 1/2" flexible plastic pipe to it with plastic wire ties. I then added 10 misting heads, rated at 10 gallons per hour to the plastic pipe. The watering is controlled by a timer and I added a filter/fertilizer attachment that works by adding a powdered, water soluble mix to it which desolves during watering. The plants are in direct sun for about 5-6 hours per day and I run the setup 3 times a day for 10 minutes each time.

What I can't figure out is how much fertilizer to add to get a certain concentration. The filter/fertilizer attachment doesn't have any mixture ratios associated with it from the manufacturer and their website was no help either.

Any ideas would be appreciated!!

Ross · #2 07-27-2008, 08:55 PM

Actually, I wouldn't apply the fertilizer this way. There will be a build up in the spray heads leading to lots of maintenance. Misting is quite frequent, right? Fertilizing is less frequent, right? Why not just manually spray the whole setup with a pumpup sprayer full of fertilizer solution weekly or whenever you do that? If you must be away and can't do that, don't swet it. Just use rainwater if possible. This will lengthen the life of the nozzles. Get several of those blue 55 gallon drums you see around and collect lots of rainwater (it rains in FLA right?

) then set the misters to pump from those. Hook them all together in parallel.

rtsingleton · #3 07-28-2008, 12:22 AM

i agree that fertilizing this way will cause a mister head to clog, not sure over how long. what type of fertilizer attachment did you get and where did you find it?

JennS · #4 07-28-2008, 04:18 PM

WOW!!! Your setup is gorgeous! What time of day is the 5-6 hours of direct sun given? Early morning to afternoon? I am in Central Florida also and my Vandas just get morning sun, but I would love to give them more if they will be happier!

I would also suggest what Ross said about using somethign else to fertilize (like one of those pump sprayers that you wear on your back sounds like a good choice for that many). My brother does irrigation and he told me before when I asked about doing something similar not to run the fert. through there. Oh, and the rainwater would probalby be a great addition as I can see a great difference in mine when they get rain water.

D&S Mabel · #5 07-28-2008, 06:59 PM

The fertilizer attachment looks like:

It's the top piece, the bottom thing with the blue lid is a battery operated timer. Just a cheapo from HD where I got the timer. You unscrew the cap and put the dry fertilizer in and off you go. No instructions though!

I would like to avoid the clogged head so I think the pump spray may be a good solution. I probably will have issues with hard water deposits over time - no need to speed that up with fertilizer gunk. The rainwater idea is too much work to even contemplate.

Next questions then: if I go with a pump sprayer, do I just follow the directions for the fertilizer on strength mixing (such as 2 tablespoons per gallon) and then just spray that on the plants? How much do I apply to each plant (or maybe thats 'how long do I spray each plant?')?

JenS - They are in direct sun from about 11am - noon to around 6 pm in the summer but I think the screening on the enclosure actually cuts down on the amount of direct light falling on the plants as the day progresses as I don't have any issues with sunburn. So far, no issues with any vandas, mokaras, ascocendas or schromburgkia and the like we've put out.

In the past, we were losing too many blooms to the uneven rains we get (although that hasn't been an issue lately), the 2-3 hours a day of direct sun they were getting (followed by too much shade) and my uneven travel schedule for work the was interfering with my plant time! Between the consistent watering and the better quality sunlight this setup gives, we're actually getting buds on plants that have not bloom in 3-4 years. I am actually beginning to think that I will be able to get a Schom. tibicinis to grow well and, maybe, actually bloom... we can dream can't we?

Thanks all for the feedaback.

JennS · #6 07-29-2008, 02:58 PM

Hummmm...good questions. I am guessing I would still follow the usual rules about fertilizing. If you plan on doing the fertilizer spraying once a week I would just dilute the recommended amount by about half or a quarter (I do half, but that is just me) if it is for a once a month fertilizer that you are using. Did that make sense? Anyway, that is just my thoughts. Then I would soak each plant really good, first thing in the AM on fertilizing day. I do mine every Saturday and depending on what I did the night before dictates their schedule. However, I am a bit more haphazard then some might be, so that might not be a good schedule for you. However, since I have started doing weekly fertilizer (except for Vandas, Asc. etc. which get fert. a second time per week) everyone seems much happier and have put out more blooms then ever in the past (however they are all older then in the past too).

So...I would since they are all vandas I would do it twice per week and soak each one completely so the roots are dripping. THat is just me though and someone can probably come along with much more scientific advice. There is a really good thread somewhere that is a fertilizer discussion. I will see if I can find it, although it might just confuse you more! There are several good points made...Anyway, I will look for it and post it here for you. Good luck!

JennS · #7 07-29-2008, 03:01 PM

I found it!! I found it! Here you go....
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ertilizer.html

Like I said, I don't know if it will help, but it might. Or it might give you more questions! Please give us updates on that beautiful collection!!!