suggestion - Orchid Board

ewbie · #1 12-07-2006, 04:11 AM

Hi! Am just new here and, i think, it would be a big help for us beginners if anyone can post pictures of s\h that needs watering and doesnt need yet .

Thanks

Ray · #2 12-07-2006, 05:29 AM

No pictures are really needed: if there is any liquid in the reservoir, you may, but don't need to water.

bodaciousbonsai · #3 12-23-2006, 04:32 PM

Hello Ray, Hey sorry for last post. I just posted a new thread, it,s called sayings from generation too generation. the post I left is this... The teacher should not seek the student....the Student should seek the teacher. Next time you leave a post i,ll be alittle more closeful watch on how I respond.
What else should I use ray along with this mixture?
Clay

bodaciousbonsai · #4 12-23-2006, 05:07 PM

Ray, Inbetween using this fertilizer I use 1/2 R. O. water to 1/2 tap water. Are the orchids getting minor and major trace elements with minerals when watered?
thanks Clay

Ray · #5 12-24-2006, 09:24 AM

Obviously that depends upon the mineral content of your tapwater, but frankly I doubt it's sufficient.

While I'm happy to simply use a complete fertilizer, I'm fascinated by your experiment. Best I can tell, your concoction is supplying nitrogen, magnesium, and sulfur, but little else, so if you're looking to complete the formula to reach the needs of the plants, you'll need to provide some phosphorus (not a great deal), potassium, and a wide range of trace elements.

STEM (soluble trace element mixture) can supply the minors, and there are a wide variety of sources for the macros.

sailor · #6 12-25-2006, 04:39 PM

So you are suggesting using tapwater and not R/O? I live in Kentucky. TONS of calcium.

Ray · #7 12-26-2006, 08:15 AM

No, I was responding to a discussion of using beer, Epsom Salts and ammonia as the only nutrients, and am stating that a plant needs a wide range of minerals, and that there is likely no water source that can supply them sufficiently. Diluting your tapwater with RO lessens the concentration of what little it there.

The amount of calcium in your water is more than the plant probably needs (I have lived in Louisville and LaGrange), but stuff like manganese, copper, boron, molybdenum, etc., are likely in short supply.

When I lived in KY (late 70's/early 80's), reverse-osmosis systems were hard to come by ($$), but if I lived there now I'd definitely use it exclusively with my plants, adding nutrients via the MSU fertilizer formula for pure water.