Orchid Care OrchidTalk Orchid Forum Links Nursery

Welcome to OrchidTalk Orchid Forums


The Friendliest Orchid Community on the Internet!


  •  » Learn to Repot your Orchids
  •  » Learn Orchid Care Tips and Secrets
  •  » Find the perfect Orchid for your Growing Environment
  •  » Chat with Orchid Growing Professionals

OrchidTalk - "Bringing People Together to Grow Orchids Better!"


Let us help you grow your Orchids better; Join our community today.


YES! I want to register an account for free right now!


Register or Login now to remove this advertisement.

View Poll Results: Water and Fertilize or Fertilize Directly

Voters
50. You may not vote on this poll
  • Water first and then fertilize

    19 38.00%
  • Fertilize directly

    26 52.00%
  • does not matter

    5 10.00%
Page 3 of 3 FirstFirst 123
Results 21 to 26 of 26

Thread: Water and Then fertilize or fertilize directly

Click here to increase the font size Click here to reduce the font size
  1. #21
    Real Name
    Karin
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    701

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by oile View Post
    Distiller you do not recommend it, before I used rainwater, bringing it up to 50 ppm with tap water, very good, but for the few plants now use reverse osmosis, is just as well, I can produce all the water you need, I would advise , comfortable.
    I have considered RO, but my water system is gravity fed and very low pressure. I don't think it would work.

  2. #22
    Real Name
    Elio
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Paphiopedilum, Phragmipedium
    Join Date
    Dec 2015
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Ceva, Italia
    Posts
    720
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sciencegal View Post
    I have considered RO, but my water system is gravity fed and very low pressure. I don't think it would work.
    What I use works with 2.8 bar, to a lower pressure you must use a special pump.
    Rainwater is fine, if you get a chance to pick it unpolluted and if you have a few plants, if they are many is a problem.

  3. #23
    Real Name
    Ray Barkalow
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Join Date
    Oct 2012
    Location
    Oak Island NC
    Posts
    2,103

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by sciencegal View Post
    I have considered RO, but my water system is gravity fed and very low pressure. I don't think it would work.
    Karin, there are low-pressure membranes available, and at the least, booster pumps!

  4. #24
    Real Name
    Karin
    Join Date
    Apr 2015
    Gender
    Female
    Location
    New Mexico
    Posts
    701

    Default

    Except that even with the low pressure membranes the product water quality will be compromised if the unit runs below 45 psi. The pumps are expensive when added on to cost of the RO system and then I would have to dedicate space near the sink - where there isn't any space - to put the whole contraption. I live in the mountains with very clean air so I think the rain water is pretty clean. I made a small investment in storage containers and I think I should be okay through the winter although I may have to dilute half and half except for those few that need the cleaner water as I await the rains in the spring.

  5. #25
    Real Name
    Connie
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Mini Vanda, Schombs &Encyclia.
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
    Location
    West of Tampa, FL
    Posts
    9,271
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    I raise Vanda, Dendrobium, Encyclia, Schomburgkia, etc....All heavy feeders. I have a watering head that is used according to the temperature. I also have a hose with a hose end feeder bottle. On normal days, once the temperature is over 70 they get watered. In summertime the timer is set for 7 a.m. If the temperature stays under 85 they only get one watering. If the temperature goes 88-90, they get a second watering in the afternoon with the hose end feeder. That contains DynaGro and due to a very bad thrip infestation everywhere down here it now contains a bug killer that contains Spinosad. I had to resort to also using beneficial nematodes this year and they really helped clean the bugs up. When it's super hot in the summer, or the sun has come out and made the greenhouse temps too high....a third watering, usually misting, is done by hand until everything is dripping again. I grow the plants I do because they are hardy and can handle the heat and extra water. Watering properly with my Vanda collection is a must. When it's too cold, I skip days. My plants can be cold or wet, never cold and wet at the same time or it's bad. And if you fertilize heavily it can be applied every day when you water. You can spray separately, but in high concentrations it can burn the roots and I use more than the bottle says to.

  6. #26
    Real Name
    Mike
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Cattleya
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Pensylvania
    Posts
    336
    Member's Country Flag

    Default

    Ron McHatton at AOS also discourages the idea of watering first.
    Watch his Greenhouse Chats here http://www.aos.org/orchids/webinars.aspx

Similar Threads

  1. When and how often to fertilize my phals?
    By deedlelu in forum General Orchid Culture
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: January 22nd, 2013, 03:51 AM
  2. how should I fertilize?
    By almondpea in forum New Growers: Ask the Senior Members
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: June 15th, 2007, 05:27 AM
  3. The right way to Fertilize Orchids?
    By Ferrari in forum General Information
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: March 1st, 2006, 04:44 PM
  4. When to fertilize?
    By jenn in forum General Orchid Culture
    Replies: 14
    Last Post: September 8th, 2005, 08:21 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
OrchidTalk --An Orchid Growers Discussion Forum brought to you by River Valley Orchidworks. A World Community where orchid beginners and experts talk about orchids and share tips on their care, cultivation, and propagation.