Physan 20 and Quantum Orchid compatibility

[fredfarmer]

The idea of a probiotic for orchids appeals to me, especially after repotting an orchid. Most media are sterile or close to it, so the flora in the newly potted orchid pot will quickly become whatever happens to be floating around the room the orchids are raised in – basically a crap shoot. In my case, an upstairs vacant room in a house built around the civil war era. Lord only knows what the microbial microcosm in there is. So I purchased some Quantum Orchid and have started to use it – especially on newly repotted orchids.

I also use Physan 20 mostly to control the algae that insists on inhabiting the small stones (mostly flat with an average diameter about ½ inch) that I get at our local beach) that are at the bottom of the trays in which I have my orchids. I gave up on aquarium stones because they kept sticking to the bottom of the orchid pots and then getting all over the floor when I removed the pots from the trays. There is usually some water in the trays, either specifically put there to raise the humidity or run-off from when I water the orchids.

The question arises – is the use of Physan compatible with the use of Quantum Orchid? After all, Quantum Orchid is a suspension of live micro-organisms and Physan 20 kills micro-organisms.

So I contacted the Physan 20 people to ask them about it. They responded almost immediately. Turns out that you can use both, but you have to be careful with timing. Thought some of you might be interested so below is a slightly edited version of what the Physan 20 staff person wrote back to me:

“Physan will not (distinguish between) beneficial vs. harmful bacteria when applied to a surface/medium. Physan breaks down into (non-antimicrobial compounds) after 7 days, which would be the point we would say the anti-microbial properties should abate. So our recommendation would be to apply diluted Physan with a foliar spray to the leaves and around the base of the plant (as opposed to a soil watering/drench). This way there is less overlap of Physan and a product like Quantum Orchid. I believe Quantum Orchid suggests application every 21 days, so the other suggestion (which I like better) would be to apply Physan either 7 days before applying Quantum Orchid, or applying it (on or after) day 14 which would give Quantum Orchid (ample) time to provide its beneficial properties.”