As usual, I am not even sure what everybody is talking about. There are
several slants being discussed here.

I was actually talking about misting mounted plants with fertilizer water as
I kind of thought that is what Gene was talking about when i read his post.
I imagine this would work quite well as a way of getting fertilizer to the
exposed roots on mounted and hanging plants but my caution was directed at
not letting the fertilizer minerals build up on roots as well as leaves as a
result of 'spritzing" behaviors that comes to my mind when people with spray
bottles talk about misting.

I would worry to use leaf shine type products on exposed roots to remove
mineral deposits on them or on bark/cork mounts. Different tissue types
equals different absorption and pore clogging qualities.

I have no idea if fertilizer can or cannot be absorbed through leaf tissue
application except for what people tell me the "studies" they have read say.
I don't even trust myself to interpret what I read correctly. I have too
many examples to the contrary.

The stomata concentration is greatest on most plants in general on the
underside of the leaf. I think it is like a 10 to 1 ratio.

Misting Phal leaves is always risky. If you must do it then always do it
when the temperatures are on the rise, when there is plenty of air movement
and when there is the best chance that the mist will evaporate from the leaf
surface quickly.

"Sarah" wrote in message
...
Thanks to both of you!

I will continue to mist my plants with fertilized water. I give my plants
a
"shower" once a week or so, so I'm not really worried about mineral
deposits. If I do see any, however, I'll take care of it with leaf
polish.

Thanks again for your excellent advice!

Sarah


"Al" wrote in message
...
Keep in mind that mineral deposits will build up quickly if
fertilizer/water
misting is the only way H2O and dinner make it onto the mounted and
hanging
plants. I am not trying to contradict here I am just adding that a good
drenching on a regular basis is very helpful to keep plant parts
healthy.
People with hoses in their greenhouse who 'mist' may have a very
different
idea of the word than people in their homes with a spray bottle. Just a
thought...

"Gene Schurg" wrote in message
news
Sarah,

Last fall I bought a fertilizer injector for my greenhouse.

When I mix the concentrate that is sucked into the water when the hose
is
turned on I usually have some extra concentrate left when I finish
watering.
For the last year I have been using the what remains in the bucket to
be
sucked into the hose when I mist the plants.

Since I've been doing this I see a huge difference in the mounted
plants
and
vandas. The root development on the vandas is better than I've ever
seen.
In years past I was not too good about fertilizing my vandas regularly
so
I'm sure they are pleased to get regular feeding. The other mounts
look
good. Most of them are winter bloomers and I expect better flowers this
year
since the plants are more robust.

The Dendrobiums in clay pots are looking really good this year. I
could
say
it's the misting with fertilizer water or it could be that I've given
them
more attention this year. Most of them were seedlings two years ago
and
may
just have begun to really grow up. I'll say its the water.

I can't say I see much difference in the big oncidium types, the paphs,
or
phals. I don't see anything bad from the water and fertilizer mist.

In a long winded email I guess my advise is mist the stuff with roots
out
of
the pot with fertilized water and the other stuff don't go out of your
way
to do it.

Small print: The above is purely personal observation and has no basis
in
scientific fact. It just worked for me during the previous 12 months
and
subject to change if I observe something different.

Good Growing,
Gene






"Sarah" wrote in message
...
Hi all!

Are there benefits to misting with mildly fertilized water as opposed
to
plain water? I live in a very dry climate so I mist every day.

Thanks!

Sarah