Water Quality Questions

[Ray]

The fact that Brandon's paphs do better with their tap water than with RO has no bearing on your tap water and your plants.

One might argue that my plants do much better with non-RO, as well - I start with RO and add minerals via K-Lite at every watering, so my plants have not seen RO water in years.

Calcium especially, is needed constantly by growing plants. Almost all other nutrients are stored and shared between old- and new tissues. Calcium is pretty much "locked in" once absorbed, so is poorly shared, if at all. If you have a growing plant and only supply calcium periodically via the weekly/biweekly/monthly feeding, then the plant will be restricted from growth during the gaps, when that supply is no longer available. If, on the other hand, the calcium-containing tapwater is used, such "stalls" might be avoided.

Like most orchid-culture-related subjects, there is no universal right or wrong here; it's situational.

---------- Post added at 07:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:30 PM ----------

Let me add that there are water-saving strategies for RO. Send me a PM if you'd like to discuss them, or maybe we can start a new thread.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by estación seca

If you read my lecture notes here from when Brandon Tam spoke to the Desert Valley Orchid Society (DVOS) you will probably get most of it. I wasn't able to find out what is the pH of his water, however.

Wow, that was fascinating on many levels. Thank you! The one thing I can't get out of my mind though... Brandon Tam started his orchid curatorship there at 16?!? Can one imagine being picked for that sort of job at 16? I could barely tie my own shoelaces at that age.

---------- Post added at 08:48 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:42 AM ----------

Originally Posted by Ray

The fact that Brandon's paphs do better with their tap water than with RO has no bearing on your tap water and your plants.

One might argue that my plants do much better with non-RO, as well - I start with RO and add minerals via K-Lite at every watering, so my plants have not seen RO water in years.

Calcium especially, is needed constantly by growing plants. Almost all other nutrients are stored and shared between old- and new tissues. Calcium is pretty much "locked in" once absorbed, so is poorly shared, if at all. If you have a growing plant and only supply calcium periodically via the weekly/biweekly/monthly feeding, then the plant will be restricted from growth during the gaps, when that supply is no longer available. If, on the other hand, the calcium-containing tapwater is used, such "stalls" might be avoided.

Like most orchid-culture-related subjects, there is no universal right or wrong here; it's situational.

---------- Post added at 07:34 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:30 PM ----------

Let me add that there are water-saving strategies for RO. Send me a PM if you'd like to discuss them, or maybe we can start a new thread.

Having read E.S.'s notes thread, the culture is waaay out of my league. Agreed... situational, and I'm far from that situational setting.

The calcium part... I get it. Frequency is best. Now that I'm retired, attempting to get better about regular fertilizing. Almost have myself convinced to feel a bit guilty when I don't. Almost. Not there yet.

Yes, I would love tips on R/O. I think it should be a new thread instead of a PM, because I'm sure not the only one who could benefit from it. I'll start, then let 'er rip.

Thanks for all the help folks.

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Wow, that was fascinating on many levels. Thank you! The one thing I can't get out of my mind though... Brandon Tam started his orchid curatorship there at 16?!? Can one imagine being picked for that sort of job at 16? I could barely tie my own shoelaces at that age.[COLOR="Silver"]

Actually, he started working at the Huntington as a volunteer at 14... by 16 he was already becoming a pro. Young talent like Brandon gives me hope that the orchid world will survive.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by Roberta

Actually, he started working at the Huntington as a volunteer at 14... by 16 he was already becoming a pro. Young talent like Brandon gives me hope that the orchid world will survive.

That is past amazing. WOW! That guy needs to write an autobiography. Seriously!

Makes sense with the volunteer thing. Kept thinking... who in the h-e-doublehockeysticks hires a 16 year old for orchid curatorship. Blessed with a gift, isn't he?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

That is past amazing. WOW! That guy needs to write an autobiography. Seriously!

Makes sense with the volunteer thing. Kept thinking... who in the h-e-doublehockeysticks hires a 16 year old for orchid curatorship. Blessed with a gift, isn't he?

He's pretty special. And his timing was incredible - during those early years, I think when he was still in high school, the Huntington received the bequest of a major Paph collection, and suddenly was on the map as a notable orchid institution. So he was plunged into a challenging opportunity that he took off and ran with.