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Water first and then fertilize
Fertilize directly
does not matter
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.
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.
Ron McHatton at AOS also discourages the idea of watering first.
Watch his Greenhouse Chats here http://www.aos.org/orchids/webinars.aspx