brown leaf tips on phrags

[cirillonb]

Originally Posted by Big B

Thanks for all the helpful info. I am definitely going to be on the search for higher quality fertilizers once I have my water issues sorted out.

This may be the dumbest question in the world, but what exactly is meant by a "flush"?

as I mentioned, I use tap water to flush. I bring the orchid to the sink, adjust the water to tepid (not cold, not hot) and run thru the medium for 30 to 45 sec. slow enough not to wash medium out the top but enough to get a good flow thru the holes. On a larger pot, I will rotate a couple of times so I am flushing the entire pot.
My water is pretty good as far as Total Dissolved Solids so that is why I use tap for the flush rather than purchased distilled.
I live in a condo so RO is not feasible.
Nick

[Big B]

Thanks for the flushing info. I think I can understand that. LOL

[Big B]

RO water acquired.
Phrags phlushed.
Thanks for all the helps.

[Wrebbitrocks]

whoa this just happened to me and i thought it was like pseudomonas or some other fungal indection because of the yellow edge. i just trimed the leaves

[Connie Star]

I had the same problem last year. I've been watering with distilled or rainwater since, as I have pretty hard well water. I'm hoping to get R/O installed, but the amount of plumbing is scaring me off. I don't have an easily accessible garden hose type faucet indoors. We have to turn the outdoor faucets off in winter (New England).

[silken]

I only have one Phrag. It's Eric Young 'Rocket Fire' 4N x Phrag. Rosy Charm 4N. My leaves looked the same until this summer when I started collecting rain water and also watering it nearly every day, just enough for it to dribble out the bottom of the pot. I previously used tap water. I have 3 new growths now and none of the leaves are turning brown. I cut off the brown tips (half leaves practically) and they have not turned brown any further. It seems my Phrag. wanted more water, even tho I kept it fairly moist and likes the rain water. It is blooming too with 2 flowers so far and another bud. So I would try the rain water if possible. Of course with winter coming it's harder to collect snow.

Slipperfreak, could you tell me where you checked the water quality? I would like to check Saskatoon's as well. Thanks.

[silken]

MSU is a fairly good fertilizer. There are two forms and I understand the one meant for tap water is adjusted in some way for the higher PH that usually comes out of the tap. Then there is another one for rain and RO water.

[Big B]

Thanks again to everyone who gave me the advice on the water quality. I put in an RO system and that took care of the brown tips. In fact now my Phrag has two flower spikes coming. Of course this raises the question of how important is it to use RO fertilizer with RO water? Or is this just a sales gimmick? Anyway, my phrag is happy now thanks to the good advice so many people gave me.