adding calcium

[vjo]

Hi all, as I was adding some calcium to some of my orchids this AM I got to wondering if there was any that I should NOT add it to. I have mostly Cats, Paphs, Neos and Phals.
Thanks for the info....Jean

[DeaC]

Paphiopedilum & Phragmipedium Intro Page - AnTec Laboratory

Originally Posted by vjo

Hi all, as I was adding some calcium to some of my orchids this AM I got to wondering if there was any that I should NOT add it to. I have mostly Cats, Paphs, Neos and Phals.
Thanks for the info....Jean

Check out ladyslipper.com for paph info.

[tucker85]

I use quite a bit of calcium on my orchids and I haven't had any problems. Cattleyas, Paphs and phals all grow stronger leaves and stems when I use calcium. I don't grow Neo's so I can't advise you on those.

[Leafmite]

I use Calcium on everything. I add it to my water in the summer as most of my orchids are in full growth mode and then rely on the eggshells for the winter (I am constantly adding eggshells to my orchid pots).
I don't really grow Paphs, though, but I do have Cattleyas, Neos, and a few Phals.

[Ray]

All orchids need a regular calcium supply. Some need more than others.

Before you go adding it though, I'd verify what's in your water supply, as it may-, or may not be necessary to add more. That said, unless you overdo it, I doubt it hurts to provide a little extra.

[My Green Pets]

Where would an orchid growing in the tree tops find a source of calcium?

[wintergirl]

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

Where would an orchid growing in the tree tops find a source of calcium?

Bird droppings for sure.

[tucker85]

[QUOTE=CambriaWhat;765738]Where would an orchid growing in the tree tops find a source of calcium?[/QUOTE

I wondered the same thing. I've done a lot of research on calcium and one bit of information I turned up is that the bark of living trees is loaded with calcium oxalate. Also reading the Bakers culture sheets I noticed that over and over he mentions orchids growing on limestone cliffs or on limestone outcroppings along rivers or on trees growing in areas high in limestone.

---------- Post added at 07:25 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:23 PM ----------

Here's a link to an interesting article on calcium deficiency in orchid growing.
http://staugorchidsociety.org/PDF/20...ps-Calcium.pdf

[katrina]

I have also read of theories where orchid roots are absorbing calcium and other nutrients from the bark. Not like a parasite but rather from moisture causing it to leach from the bark when it's wet for extended periods.

I know there has been research done on this w/ferns in the NW and I've read where some theorize the same could be happening w/orchids in their native habitats.

[euplusia]

Originally Posted by CambriaWhat

Where would an orchid growing in the tree tops find a source of calcium?

I think of this question in a greater concept: How did all the nutrients enter the nutrient circle, which feeds the tropical rainforests. Especially the rainforests in the Amazon bassin stand on very poor soil and have nevertheless enormously expanded within the last 30 000 years.
Clearly the nourishment was inputted by the atmoshere. Sources are the earth and space.
Most important is Sahara dust, blown by the wind during and after the ice age. Also ashes from volcanic eruptions and nitrogen from lightnings must be mentioned..
From the space we receive a fallout originating from meteorites (dirty snowballs), asteroids (nickel-iron) and supernovae explosions.
It takes a complex system of microbiological life forms called biological crusts to make the imput available for higher plants, epiphytes and animals.

For us orchid growers I stick with the advice from a friend: Do not try to copy nature, just give the plants what they need.