Paphs in S/H-->What am I doing wrong?

[Paphluvr]

Side note:I think I have heard of people adding epsom salts to their s/h pots? What is this for?

Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate. Have you also heard of cal-mag fertilizer? Epsom salt would supply the "mag" portion. Sulfur is also a beneficial element for good plant growth.

[wgama]

It is hydroton I was using. I put them in some fresh stuff and put them on a heating mat to help induce new roots and they looked to be picking up before I went back to school. Thanks paphlover! I knew it was a source of magnesium, works wonders on tomato and pepper plants. I was just checking to see if it was beneficial in terms of specific ph or mineral build up in particular.

[Ray]

One of the nice things about Epsom Salts is that is does not affect the pH. It also does little, if anything, to extract dissolved solids that have precipitated onto-, and into the medium. In reality, it is almost impossible to removed deposited solids, but you can work to minimize the rate of deposit.

On one end of the spectrum is the use of concentrated fertilizer solutions and hard water, growing in a very dry environment, and letting it dry between waterings. That gives you the fastest buildup.

The other end of the practical spectrum is the use of very dilute fertilizer solutions in pure water, growing in a very humid environment, and watering before the top of the pot dries.


Ray Barkalow
firstrays.com

[mtorchid]

Originally Posted by Ray

and watering before the top of the pot dries.

Yes, that really makes a difference, even just spritzing the top LECA regularly between watering/flushing. I have a very healthy Paph in the same LECA for 3 years with moss growing on the surface. [I also use RO water which is cheap and easy to get at the grocery store].