How much water do you use everytime you water an orchid?

[peeweelovesbooks]

CTB--it seems we have started a revolution. The Florida Orchid growers sections has been discussing this for a minute already, right Carol?

I've been using 3cc vodka per gallon of water for about 2 months now and the results are well, positive for a lack of a better term.

I have heard from every grower down there that pre-watering your plants before fertilizing is a big no, no, exactly for the reasons stated by Ray.

[CTB]

I never pre-water mine I want them thirsty, and they lap it up, I'm raising orchidholics.

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Anyway any thoughts on the fact that this will not spread the fertiliser through the medium like my current method (and like I've assumed was needed).

Perhaps, some medias do not "store" as much fertilizer as we think, hence some just spraying?

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by Ray

It seems to me that watering first, followed by the application of fertilizer leads to less absorption by the plant.

Think of the velamen as a sponge. Dip a dry sponge in fertilizer solution, and it absorbs 100% fertilizer solution. Dip it in water first, then into fertilizer solution and it will be mostly saturated with water, absorbing very little of the fertilizer.

That, by the way, was common practice back when plants were typically fed monthly using VERY strong fertilizer solutions, and it kept the plants from being "burned".

Always love your explanations Ray- you do a great job of making the science more "digestable."

[glitchathon]

wow, did not realize this thread would spark such interesting discussion!

And boy, my orchids live a sheltered life. Maybe I should let them kick back with a bottle of liquor someday!

Gonna try the spray technique next time I fertilize!!

[jenmonkey]

I dunno about the vodka... gonna have to do more research before letting my 'chids hit the sauce. I can see some good science there, but not enough evidence to sway me yet. Keep talking though, I wanna hear more from people on both sides!

[Becky Jo]

Originally Posted by Ray

It seems to me that watering first, followed by the application of fertilizer leads to less absorption by the plant.

Think of the velamen as a sponge. Dip a dry sponge in fertilizer solution, and it absorbs 100% fertilizer solution. Dip it in water first, then into fertilizer solution and it will be mostly saturated with water, absorbing very little of the fertilizer.

That, by the way, was common practice back when plants were typically fed monthly using VERY strong fertilizer solutions, and it kept the plants from being "burned".

oooops I didn't know that it was a big no no. hmmmm I will start doing it the other way.......Thanks
Ray.

[WhiteRabbit]

well I do the water thoroughly with plain water about once a week - most plants need water more than once a week in summer - so in-between the plain water heavy watering - I use the fert solution in the hand pump pressure sprayer. Even if I don't use the heavy plain water watering - use the sprayer til water runs thru and then some - but still uses much less fert than not using the sprayer. Especially with very absorbent media (chc, sphag).

My concern is not just the cost of fertilizer "wasted" but the run-off of the fertilizer ...
I started thinking that even if it goes down the drain in the house, I believe that still goes to the bay here ...

[nenella]

Originally Posted by Izzie

I soak for 20 min when I fertilize, and then use the used water on my garden outside.
I might try the method mentioned here though.

I too do as Izzie does but soak with fertilizer a bit less 15 mins - I use an egg timer) then once evry couple 3 weeks use just plain rain water.
I use about 10L of water - ( 10 litres = 2.641720523581 gallon [US] & 10 litres= 2.199692482991 gallon [UK])
I hadn't thought about there being a difference in gallons before looking it up!
... learn something everyday.

I have also found that my fern (Boston fern) thrives with the left over fert solution I pour into it. Where as other house plants didn't appreciate it all that much!

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by Hedge

I use a crystalline form of fertilizer, and it's about a teaspoon to half a gallon of water - with thirty plants it takes about a year to use a pot and it costs less than £3 a pot - so I shall continue immersing for the time being. My plants are happy, so I don't want to rock the boat. I probably use a quart per 4 inch pot and smaller. I use a mixture of tap water and rainwater and I admit to reusing water from one plant to another (naughty, I know) to keep water consumption down when the rainwater is exhausted.

Hedge, what brand do you use and where do you get it. Just wondering as you are in the UK if it's something I can get hold of.