Has anyone checked the actual pH of the 125 ppm solutions of MSU fertilizer
in RO water? My pH meter indicates a pH of about 5.4 and I wonder if I
have to add a small amount of Pro-tect to get it above 6.

By the way, has anyone compared Jack's Classic RO water orchid fertilizer
with the MSU formula. The Jacks instructions recommends the addition of a
powder they sell that contains potassium bicarbonate (for pH control ie
upping the pH) and magnesium sulfate (to provide extra sulfur which they
say is beneficial)

Thanks

Charles VanDyke

I spoke just the other day with Bill Argo (Blackmore, PhD who designed the
stuff for the MSU study), and they add a small amount of citric acid to the
fertilizer to enhance solubility of some of the metallic ions.

I have used it as-is for 2.5 years with no issues.

--

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


"charles VanDyke" wrote in message
...
Has anyone checked the actual pH of the 125 ppm solutions of MSU
fertilizer in RO water? My pH meter indicates a pH of about 5.4 and I
wonder if I have to add a small amount of Pro-tect to get it above 6.

By the way, has anyone compared Jack's Classic RO water orchid fertilizer
with the MSU formula. The Jacks instructions recommends the addition of a
powder they sell that contains potassium bicarbonate (for pH control ie
upping the pH) and magnesium sulfate (to provide extra sulfur which they
say is beneficial)

Thanks

Charles VanDyke

The last time this topic came up, I wrote to both Dr. Argo and Jack Peters
about it. Neither replied. I throw my arms up and pass.

Pat


"Ray" wrote in message
...
I spoke just the other day with Bill Argo (Blackmore, PhD who designed the
stuff for the MSU study), and they add a small amount of citric acid to the
fertilizer to enhance solubility of some of the metallic ions.

I have used it as-is for 2.5 years with no issues.

--

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


"charles VanDyke" wrote in message
...
Has anyone checked the actual pH of the 125 ppm solutions of MSU
fertilizer in RO water? My pH meter indicates a pH of about 5.4 and I
wonder if I have to add a small amount of Pro-tect to get it above 6.

By the way, has anyone compared Jack's Classic RO water orchid fertilizer
with the MSU formula. The Jacks instructions recommends the addition of
a powder they sell that contains potassium bicarbonate (for pH control ie
upping the pH) and magnesium sulfate (to provide extra sulfur which they
say is beneficial)

Thanks

Charles VanDyke

Ray ) wrote:
: I spoke just the other day with Bill Argo (Blackmore, PhD who designed the
: stuff for the MSU study), and they add a small amount of citric acid to the
: fertilizer to enhance solubility of some of the metallic ions.

My understanding is that citric acid is a chelating agent. So, the citric
acid (minus the H+) bonds to the metal ion preventing it from reacting with
other ions in the solution which could form a precipitate.

Dave