Cleaning stones on trays without harming plants - Orchid Board

ladyslipper · #1 09-01-2007, 02:36 AM

Hi guys, I have decided to put my plants (mostly phals) on little rocks in trays in my grow area. My question is, even if I am using RO water, the area should be cleaned even once and awhile. At least that was what I thought. How can I clean the rocks of algae for example without removing all the plants and pretty much taking the stand apart? I was hoping something I could pour into the rocks like water. I have all the plants on saucers so no one actually gets their bottoms wet from the stones. I would like something that would clean then evaporate.

Any ideas? I guess the other question is if I am using RO water, do I have to worry about little life forms growing on the rocks?

Kindest Regards, m

caseydoll · #2 09-01-2007, 08:38 AM

Even if your using RO water you will still get yucky algae that will grow in time. I suppose standing water also collects bacteria and such so it's probably a good idea to clean them out once in awhile. I use bleach and water to soak them and then I rinse really well. If you don't have any pets that may lick up the water you could put a few drops (depending on the size of your trays) of bleach or physan into the water to prevent the algae from forming in the first place. If you use bleach just be careful that any water from the trays doesn't ever splash out onto your carpet or anything you care about. It will be an extremely weak solution but I would still be careful.

Hopefully that helps a little, it's just what I do.

cb977 · #3 09-01-2007, 12:16 PM

I have to clean my trays every few months...which means removing all the plants and doing it tray by tray

I use soap and water with some bleach and rinse well.
In my conditions, there's just no stopping the algae from forming.

ladyslipper · #4 09-01-2007, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caseydoll

Even if your using RO water you will still get yucky algae that will grow in time. I suppose standing water also collects bacteria and such so it's probably a good idea to clean them out once in awhile. I use bleach and water to soak them and then I rinse really well. If you don't have any pets that may lick up the water you could put a few drops (depending on the size of your trays) of bleach or physan into the water to prevent the algae from forming in the first place. If you use bleach just be careful that any water from the trays doesn't ever splash out onto your carpet or anything you care about. It will be an extremely weak solution but I would still be careful.

Hopefully that helps a little, it's just what I do.

Hi and thanks for the info. Just a quick question. So there is no problem with the bleach so near the plants? I guess it would evapurate in a little while. Even though my plants are all on saucers, this makes me a little nervous. I am guessing all your plants are also not touching the tray surface?
regards m

caseydoll · #5 09-01-2007, 06:30 PM

My plants aren't touching the water at all. They are on grids above it. But I think it would be perfectly safe especially if yours are on saucers. It will be such a small amount that I don't think it will hurt anything. Ray actually recommends watering orchids in s/h with 1 oz. of bleach to a gallon of water about once a month to control algae.

I figure if that is safe to let that water sit in the bottom of the s/h pots it must be okay to let it sit in trays. But like Sue says, you will probably have to thoroughly clean them from time to time regardless of what you do. It will help put off that chore a little longer anyways.

Shirley · #6 09-01-2007, 11:44 PM

Hi Ladyslipper,
I gave up on using stones in my trays because of the hassle of cleaning the algae. Now I have just water in the trays and top the tray with what we call "eggcrate" here (a rigid plastic grid used over fluorescent light fixtures). The plant pots sit on the eggcrate so they don't touch the water. I used to put bleach in the trays but found that it built up on the sides and had to be scraped off. Now, instead, I add a small amount of algaecide (used for swimming pools) to each tray -- about 1/4 tsp per liter. I've found in checking that the ingredients are very similar to physan. Anyway, this is working very well and the trays don't need cleaning nearly as often. Also, any creepy crawlies

that drop from the pots will die!

Shirley

ladyslipper · #7 09-02-2007, 01:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shirley

Hi Ladyslipper,
I gave up on using stones in my trays because of the hassle of cleaning the algae. Now I have just water in the trays and top the tray with what we call "eggcrate" here (a rigid plastic grid used over fluorescent light fixtures). The plant pots sit on the eggcrate so they don't touch the water. I used to put bleach in the trays but found that it built up on the sides and had to be scraped off. Now, instead, I add a small amount of algaecide (used for swimming pools) to each tray -- about 1/4 tsp per liter. I've found in checking that the ingredients are very similar to physan. Anyway, this is working very well and the trays don't need cleaning nearly as often. Also, any creepy crawlies

that drop from the pots will die!

Shirley

Hi Shirley, thanks for the info. I thought of the "eggrate" but didn't see any at my local home depot. I think I will try a little harder to find this material because I think it is actually better than stones. What do you think of a drop or two of vinegar? Do you think that would keep the algae stuff at bay?

regards, mary

Shirley · #8 09-02-2007, 01:50 AM

Hi again, Mary

Yes, I do think the eggcrate is better than using saucers because any drips go into the trays and you don't have to fuss with emptying saucers, also the plants are getting air through the bottom instead of possibly being wet. I hope you won't have trouble finding eggcrate -- most of the electrical departments or lumber yards seem to carry it here. Sorry, I don't know what to say about using vinegar in the trays as I've never tried it. Any orchid info I've read doesn't mention vinegar, as I recall, though they often refer to physan or bleach. I've never seen Physan for sale in Canada but the product I'm using is very similar and is available at Canadian Tire -- also fairly inexpensive. Orchid growers here also use it for cleaning pots and benches, sterilizing medium, etc. It's called Aquarius 3 liquid algaecide. Good luck, and keep me posted!

Shirley

starwhiz · #9 09-02-2007, 02:11 AM

Hi Mary, I also looked for eggcrates but did not find one in home depot, so I bought this wire shelf(by the shelving area) and had someone cut it to about the size that fits the long plastic storage. I put water in the plastic storage(sterilite 41QT 34 3/4" x 16 1/2" x 6") and put the wire shelf (W12" L33 1/2") on it. Then put the plants on top of the wire shelf. The following week, I went back to home depot and ask someone by the lighting section and he pointed me a box of eggcrates. I guess you have to ask sometimes.

Oscarman · #10 09-02-2007, 02:34 AM

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.