Cleaning stones on trays without harming plants

[gmdiaz]

I ditched my pretty river rocks in the bottom of my saucers too. . .big mess to keep clean.

I just put RO water in the bottom of the trays and clean periodically.

You can find the egg crate panels in the lighting section. It's used with flourescent lighting, so check on the shelves just below the flourescent lighting fixtures. They're usually in a box laying flat. I think the cost is around 6.00 a panel.

[ladyslipper]

Originally Posted by Oscarman

Pretty much the same opinion as Shirley. Used to use broken clay pieces in my water trays and topped with egg crate light diffusers. Too much hassel to clean, looked ugly most of the time and did not really add any significant increase in humidity. The algicide is a great idea.....I used to use a weak bleach solution with no ill effects. I don't have any pets that would possible drink the water either, although I do have 2 small kids!

Now I view the trays as a way of collecting the watering run-off and sending it down the drainage tubes. Now I water slightly more often, because it is easier and I would never use rock again.

Hi Dave. I really would love to be able to use a spray hose attached to a water supply and be able to add fertilzer if need be. However, my stand is in my living room and although I can mist from a bottle, watering using a hose is totally out of the question. Speaking of fertilizers, I fertilize at the beginning of each month and alternate between a flower and a growth solution. What is your fertilzer schedule like? I grow mostly phals with a few paphs under lights by an east north/east window.
regards, mary

[Oscarman]

Originally Posted by ladyslipper

Hi Dave. I really would love to be able to use a spray hose attached to a water supply and be able to add fertilizer if need be. However, my stand is in my living room and although I can mist from a bottle, watering using a hose is totally out of the question. Speaking of fertilizers, I fertilize at the beginning of each month and alternate between a flower and a growth solution. What is your fertilizer schedule like? I grow mostly phals with a few paphs under lights by an east north/east window.
regards, mary

I try to fertilize weakly, weekly - using Dyna-grow with a minute amount of Superthrive once per month. Sometime each month, no fertilizer and water heavily with plain water. I am growing 100% under fluorescent. Once my RO system is running I am considering a fertilizer change.

I do use a garden hose to water, cause I grow in the basement and water on the floor is not a big deal. My water pans are all connected and drain to the floor drain - no hassle.