Yes...that's why I said it was not a scientific experiment. I was just too
lazy to switch the hose back to the spiggot from the fertilizer injector.

Of course when I mist the exposed roots get a mist too so that fed the
vandas every couple of days with the mist.

During the summer one week I use plain water. So the roots get flushed. Now
that the days are short I use plain water 3 weeks then fertilize on 1 week.

Good Growing,
Gene



"Ray" wrote in message
...
Gene,

Could your observation not be explained simply by the fact that the
runoff -
draining into pots or onto the root system - is simply fertilizing your
plant more than if you were misting with pure water?

Don't get me wrong. I'm not challenging your observation, just offering
an
alternative explanation.

I often get a bit frustrated by my own testing in the GH - see something
I'd
like to attribute to some change I've made, only to realize there are a
number of other explanations that could explain the observation.

Yet another reason we all need MUCH bigger greenhouses so we can do better
studies (yeah, that's the reason...)

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Books, Artwork, and Lots of Free Info!
.
"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