water pH and Protekt - Orchid Board

FrankP999 · #1 10-11-2010, 12:33 AM

My tap water is pH 7.0 and hardness of 30. I use MSU fertilizer for RO/Tap which results in a pH of 6.5 when mixed at 3/4 tsp/gal.

I also use Protekt for adding silicon. The pH when I add Protekt is 8.0.

I thought a pH of 6.5 was the recommended. Should I worry about the pH being so high when adding Protekt?

goodgollymissmolly · #2 10-11-2010, 06:11 AM

FrankP999 · #3 10-11-2010, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodgollymissmolly

Yes

What you recommend?

goodgollymissmolly · #4 10-11-2010, 07:49 AM

No thanks, Frank. The internet is too full of mythical beliefs that people want to fight about. The scientific facts of plant nutrition are well understood and can be found in many references including many on the internet. I'm not interested in further discussions about mythical horticultural beliefs.

See Plant Nutrients

FrankP999 · #5 10-11-2010, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by goodgollymissmolly

No thanks, Frank. I'm not interested in further discussions about mythical horticultural beliefs.

Neither am I. What would you recommend to lower the pH.

Frank

Ray · #6 10-11-2010, 11:27 AM

There is a product available called "pH Down". I carry it, but you can also check pet stores in the aquarium section.

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #7 10-11-2010, 11:50 AM

Different plants, different pH.

Depends on what you're talking about.

The right answer depends on which plant you're referring to.

Some orchids are acidophiles, and love very acidic water/soil. Without a pH around 4 they'll either die or look very unhealthy.

Others grow exclusively in alkaline habitats like limestone.

Most are in the slightly acidic to neutral ranges (around 6.5 - 7).

The truth is there is no one right answer for all orchids. The question you're asking is actually way too over simplified.