Preemptive or prophylactic use of fungicide

[Orchid Whisperer]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Yes, I still supplement most everything with calcium. All those eggshells that used to go in orchids now go into the tomato beds. I've always used oyster shell as well. And of course, blackstrap molasses.

I used to own a water garden store before retirement. I still use my water garden/pond/koi pond water only during the six months or orchids are outside. Super easy to drop in that waste pump with a long hose and have at it. And I rarely fertilize anything during those months. Also used to have a 100 and 75 gallon aquarium, and always used that water in winter for plants, but supplemented with RO. Now it's all RO, because I'm taking a break from aquariums.

Frankly, I only started using fertilizer in winter months two or three years ago. Mostly due to encouragement from a friend to at least give it a try during winter months. Has it changed anything? Frankly, I'm not sure. Everything seemed to be doing well before, and still doing well now, for the most part. Since I've gotten older (just turned 65) I find the best care of my orchids, and houseplants, and outside plants and veggies, is to keep it simple. When I don't, I tend to just not water or pay attention as often as I should. Gotta keep me happy and motivated, and it tends to make all living things happier. Including my husband.

Was curious to see what you used. Use blackstrap molasses on those tomatoes as well. The extra potassium and magnesium will benefit them!

---------- Post added at 02:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:20 PM ----------



Yes, 1 T per gallon is what I use, just for simplicity. Most folks say 1 teaspoon per quart. Who the heck only uses a quart of water when watering ANYTHING?!? It helps to use really warm water and let it cool a bit if you're doing large quantities (I use a five gallon bucket for inside stuff) instead of stirring forever.

It's got calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, sulfur and micronutrients.The sugars in it are what beneficial bacteria and microorganisms eat and makes them proliferate. Plus my grandma told me that, used it, and she had the greenest thumb I've ever seen.

---------- Post added at 02:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:28 PM ----------

PS OW, ya better check out my "rock" thread. I posted a story just for you!

I'll look for it!

[Ray]

When it comes to calcium addition, I think it pays to know what your water and current feeding regimen provide.

If we take MSU RO as having a decent amount of calcium when applied at the recommend 125 ppm N every two weeks, then we are applying about 75 ppm Ca. With K-Lite at the same nitrogen level, it's about 100 ppm.

That would suggest that something in the neighborhood of 40-50 ppm Ca per week is a reasonable level.

My water averages 50 ppm Ca right out of the tap, so by that measure, I really don't need to add more - but I do, about another 50 ppm, but I'd be wary about going a whole lot higher.

I just spoke to a friend who recently retired from the Louisville (KY) Water Co., and they typically run in the 160-175 ppm Ca, so I would not supplement it at all there.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Is there a risk of over adding these elements? Calcium and mag?

I am all in favor of the extra stuff in as much abundance as possible but is this too much to add some of the molasses monthly if i am using klite daily?

I assume the plant will just ignore what it doesn’t need and it will fall onto the floor but I don’t want to burn any roots or anything like that...

[Ray]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Is there a risk of over adding these elements? Calcium and mag?

I am all in favor of the extra stuff in as much abundance as possible but is this too much to add some of the molasses monthly if i am using klite daily?

I assume the plant will just ignore what it doesn’t need and it will fall onto the floor but I don’t want to burn any roots or anything like that...

Magnesium is less of an issue, but an excess of calcium can block the uptake of other nutrient ions.

No, the plant does not "ignore" excess, and can be poisoned.

Plants take up nutrients both actively and passively. Some ions, like phosphorus and boron (I think I am remembering correctly...maybe not), are actively sought out and absorbed, as much as is available, with the excess "socked away" in vacuoles, just in case there's a shortage in the future.

A lot of other nutrient ions are passively absorbed - if the rhizosphere has a lot, the plant will absorb a lot, even if it is detrimental.

"More" is usually not "better".

[DirtyCoconuts]

That was what my instincts told me too.

I’ll stick with my regimen as is

If it ain’t broke..

[Leafmite]

Goldfish/Koi really do a great job for fertilizer. I never used any fertilizer at all while I had the pond...just used the water. My plants always thrived.

Rain water/distilled water has no significant nutrients so I am starting from zero where it comes to adding Calcium. And, growing plants need a steady supply as once a cell is built, it is finished and you cannot later add the Calcium (some nutrients are mobile, Calcium is not).

Calcium...it also depends on what one is growing. Some plants need more Calcium and some less, based on their adaptations. When you have an orchid that has ancestors from breezy Madagascar, that grow on limestone or that come from other Calcium-rich places, they will need more Calcium. Other orchids, not so much. I grow a variety of plants and they have different nutrient needs. Some do not like much fertilizer while others are heavy feeders. Some need more of certain minerals/nutrients and less of others. The same probably goes for many orchids. When I had the issues with Calcium deficiency, a few of my Cattleyas and most of the other types of orchids were completely unaffected while most of my Cattleyas went down really fast. Just depends on the genetics of the orchid, I guess, whether you need to add the extra Calcium.

[WaterWitchin]

Exactamente Leafmite! For me, it’s decades of listening to needs, orchid or otherwise. Then paying attention to what they “say” if you will. Regardless of orchid or otherwise, there’s a huge difference from plant to plant. It’s not a one shoe fits all situation.