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Paph problems
Hello all, again. My Paphs--sukhakulii, gratrixianum, Magic Lantern, and a few
others just don't seem to be doing well. The leaves, especially the older ones, are pale, yellowish and waxy, and they don't seem to be growing at all. My growing conditions: in my bedroom, days 65-70F, nights 52-55F, about 30-40% relative humidity, some ambient light and about 12-15inches under 4ft. flourescent lights. I try to keep them moist and feed with weak paph fertilizer supplemented with calcium and magnesium. I use RO water the rest of the time. Is it just too cold for them or what? Too much light? I do have a mini phal that is in spike, but has sort of reddish tinge to the outer edges of the leaves and is not a strong looking plant...Thanks for any feedback. Other genera are doing okay. Cattleya skinneri is in full bloom! Karl |
Paph problems
Jbkkhawk wrote:
Hello all, again. My Paphs--sukhakulii, gratrixianum, Magic Lantern, and a few others just don't seem to be doing well. The leaves, especially the older ones, are pale, yellowish and waxy, and they don't seem to be growing at all. My growing conditions: in my bedroom, days 65-70F, nights 52-55F, about 30-40% relative humidity, some ambient light and about 12-15inches under 4ft. flourescent lights. I try to keep them moist and feed with weak paph fertilizer supplemented with calcium and magnesium. I use RO water the rest of the time. Is it just too cold for them or what? Too much light? I do have a mini phal that is in spike, but has sort of reddish tinge to the outer edges of the leaves and is not a strong looking plant...Thanks for any feedback. Other genera are doing okay. Cattleya skinneri is in full bloom! Karl Repot. Wait no longer. Sounds like the roots are less than optimally healthy. Paphs respond very well to repotting. Rob -- Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a. See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase more orchids, obtain more credit |
Paph problems
"When in doubt: repot"
That should be somewhere on your list of rules. "Rob Halgren" wrote in message ... Jbkkhawk wrote: Hello all, again. My Paphs--sukhakulii, gratrixianum, Magic Lantern, and a few others just don't seem to be doing well. The leaves, especially the older ones, are pale, yellowish and waxy, and they don't seem to be growing at all. My growing conditions: in my bedroom, days 65-70F, nights 52-55F, about 30-40% relative humidity, some ambient light and about 12-15inches under 4ft. flourescent lights. I try to keep them moist and feed with weak paph fertilizer supplemented with calcium and magnesium. I use RO water the rest of the time. Is it just too cold for them or what? Too much light? I do have a mini phal that is in spike, but has sort of reddish tinge to the outer edges of the leaves and is not a strong looking plant...Thanks for any feedback. Other genera are doing okay. Cattleya skinneri is in full bloom! Karl Repot. Wait no longer. Sounds like the roots are less than optimally healthy. Paphs respond very well to repotting. Rob -- Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a. See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase more orchids, obtain more credit |
Paph problems
After repotting, I might also suggest moving them right up under the
lights, and trying to get the daytime temp up 5deg or so. Perhaps enclosing the growing area would increase the daytemp (because of the lights) and make it easier to raise the humidity as well. |
Paph problems
All these suggestions are sound. Check www.ladyslipper.com. Antec has lots
of good cultural articles. If you're going to keep them that cool, you might let them dry out a bit more before watering. On 1/28/03 1:35 PM, in article , " wrote: After repotting, I might also suggest moving them right up under the lights, and trying to get the daytime temp up 5deg or so. Perhaps enclosing the growing area would increase the daytemp (because of the lights) and make it easier to raise the humidity as well. |
Paph problems
In addition to the great suggestions already mentioned, I'd suggest
modifying the feeding/watering regimen a bit: using straight RO water can lead to really extreme pH levels, which can affect the availability of nutrients to the plants. Personally, I feed a weak solution of known TDS and pH at every watering. -- Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! "Jbkkhawk" wrote in message ... Hello all, again. My Paphs--sukhakulii, gratrixianum, Magic Lantern, and a few others just don't seem to be doing well. The leaves, especially the older ones, are pale, yellowish and waxy, and they don't seem to be growing at all. My growing conditions: in my bedroom, days 65-70F, nights 52-55F, about 30-40% relative humidity, some ambient light and about 12-15inches under 4ft. flourescent lights. I try to keep them moist and feed with weak paph fertilizer supplemented with calcium and magnesium. I use RO water the rest of the time. Is it just too cold for them or what? Too much light? I do have a mini phal that is in spike, but has sort of reddish tinge to the outer edges of the leaves and is not a strong looking plant...Thanks for any feedback. Other genera are doing okay. Cattleya skinneri is in full bloom! Karl |
Paph problems
I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water from
the dehumidifier that keeps the rest of the house safe from the humidity that leaks out from my loosely enclosed table. I've noticed some root tip burn and some chlorosis (I'm sure that's spelled wrong - lack of green in new leaves) which I know can be caused by a multitude of issues from too much light to not enough iron but I thot it might be pH related so I went out and bought an aquariam pH test kit. The water before fert reads just about neutral (7). after adding fert, pro-tekit, superthrive it's a bit basic, maybe 7.2 or 7.3 which I don't think should be an issue... but could something else be going on in the pot? How / should / could I check it? The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the "distilled" water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 ppm here in Seattle. "Ray @ First Rays Orchids" wrote in message ... In addition to the great suggestions already mentioned, I'd suggest modifying the feeding/watering regimen a bit: using straight RO water can lead to really extreme pH levels, which can affect the availability of nutrients to the plants. Personally, I feed a weak solution of known TDS and pH at every watering. -- Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! "Jbkkhawk" wrote in message ... Hello all, again. My Paphs--sukhakulii, gratrixianum, Magic Lantern, and a few others just don't seem to be doing well. The leaves, especially the older ones, are pale, yellowish and waxy, and they don't seem to be growing at all. My growing conditions: in my bedroom, days 65-70F, nights 52-55F, about 30-40% relative humidity, some ambient light and about 12-15inches under 4ft. flourescent lights. I try to keep them moist and feed with weak paph fertilizer supplemented with calcium and magnesium. I use RO water the rest of the time. Is it just too cold for them or what? Too much light? I do have a mini phal that is in spike, but has sort of reddish tinge to the outer edges of the leaves and is not a strong looking plant...Thanks for any feedback. Other genera are doing okay. Cattleya skinneri is in full bloom! Karl |
Paph problems
On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister"
wrote: I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water from the dehumidifier that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the "distilled" water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 ppm here in Seattle. So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? What is in the new water? SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php |
Paph problems
What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask the same. The
water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. Susan Erickson wrote: On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" wrote: I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water from the dehumidifier that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the "distilled" water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 ppm here in Seattle. So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? What is in the new water? SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php -- ----------------------------------------------------- Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ |
Paph problems
Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that the
dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember when I was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was essentially distilled or pure water. I figured the same but was suprised when it read higher on the TDS meter than the tap water. And yes, we're blessed here in Seattle with great water! In the greenhouse, I simply use a hozon thingy to add fert to the tap water. "Clare Sleeter" wrote in message ... What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask the same. The water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. Susan Erickson wrote: On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" wrote: I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water from the dehumidifier that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the "distilled" water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 ppm here in Seattle. So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? What is in the new water? SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php -- ----------------------------------------------------- Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ |
Paph problems
This is pure speculation, but as you're condensing water vapor from ambient
air, aren't you possibly getting some of the other airborne species along with it? -- Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! "Jerry Hoffmeister" wrote in message news:N7HZ9.76600$6G4.11952@sccrnsc02... I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water from the dehumidifier that keeps the rest of the house safe from the humidity that leaks out from my loosely enclosed table. I've noticed some root tip burn and some chlorosis (I'm sure that's spelled wrong - lack of green in new leaves) which I know can be caused by a multitude of issues from too much light to not enough iron but I thot it might be pH related so I went out and bought an aquariam pH test kit. The water before fert reads just about neutral (7). after adding fert, pro-tekit, superthrive it's a bit basic, maybe 7.2 or 7.3 which I don't think should be an issue... but could something else be going on in the pot? How / should / could I check it? The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the "distilled" water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 ppm here in Seattle. "Ray @ First Rays Orchids" wrote in message ... In addition to the great suggestions already mentioned, I'd suggest modifying the feeding/watering regimen a bit: using straight RO water can lead to really extreme pH levels, which can affect the availability of nutrients to the plants. Personally, I feed a weak solution of known TDS and pH at every watering. -- Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! "Jbkkhawk" wrote in message ... Hello all, again. My Paphs--sukhakulii, gratrixianum, Magic Lantern, and a few others just don't seem to be doing well. The leaves, especially the older ones, are pale, yellowish and waxy, and they don't seem to be growing at all. My growing conditions: in my bedroom, days 65-70F, nights 52-55F, about 30-40% relative humidity, some ambient light and about 12-15inches under 4ft. flourescent lights. I try to keep them moist and feed with weak paph fertilizer supplemented with calcium and magnesium. I use RO water the rest of the time. Is it just too cold for them or what? Too much light? I do have a mini phal that is in spike, but has sort of reddish tinge to the outer edges of the leaves and is not a strong looking plant...Thanks for any feedback. Other genera are doing okay. Cattleya skinneri is in full bloom! Karl |
Paph problems
On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 06:49:04 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister"
wrote: Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that the dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember when I was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was essentially distilled or pure water. And the companies that make irons regularly put out statements - DO NOT USE - it is full of stuff that clogs irons. So there is not a lot of mineral in it, there are enough mold or fungus spores to be much more dangerous. SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php |
Paph problems
Hi Karl, From what you describe, sounds just like some of mine! I found
Mealies down at the base of the plants!!! Also, what potting media did you use? I used some Coco Husk Chips, didn't know that the stuff needs to be soaked & the leaves were light & turning brown fast! Cheers Wendy "Jbkkhawk" wrote in message ... | Hello all, again. My Paphs--sukhakulii, gratrixianum, Magic Lantern, and a few | others just don't seem to be doing well. The leaves, especially the older | ones, are pale, yellowish and waxy, and they don't seem to be growing at all. | My growing conditions: in my bedroom, days 65-70F, nights 52-55F, about 30-40% | relative humidity, some ambient light and about 12-15inches under 4ft. | flourescent lights. I try to keep them moist and feed with weak paph | fertilizer supplemented with calcium and magnesium. I use RO water the rest of | the time. Is it just too cold for them or what? Too much light? I do have a | mini phal that is in spike, but has sort of reddish tinge to the outer edges of | the leaves and is not a strong looking plant...Thanks for any feedback. Other | genera are doing okay. Cattleya skinneri is in full bloom! | Karl |
Paph problems
We have pretty basic water here in KC. Nearly pH 9. No problem with salts if
I flush well when watering. I used bottled distilled for my brachys though. For all else, I just lower the pH of the tap water with apple cider vinegar, a natural acid with some bonus micronutrients as well. The phals love it. On 1/29/03 12:49 AM, in article APKZ9.76097$rM2.43834@rwcrnsc53, "Jerry Hoffmeister" wrote: Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that the dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember when I was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was essentially distilled or pure water. I figured the same but was suprised when it read higher on the TDS meter than the tap water. And yes, we're blessed here in Seattle with great water! In the greenhouse, I simply use a hozon thingy to add fert to the tap water. "Clare Sleeter" wrote in message ... What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask the same. The water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. Susan Erickson wrote: On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" wrote: I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water from the dehumidifier that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the "distilled" water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 ppm here in Seattle. So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? What is in the new water? SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php -- ----------------------------------------------------- Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ |
Paph problems
Thanks (Ray too). I will cease and desist. Watered this AM with tap water
after dumping about 10 gallons of that other stuff. Now I'm wondering if I should repot everything? I think I won't... "Susan Erickson" wrote in message ... On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 06:49:04 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" wrote: Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that the dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember when I was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was essentially distilled or pure water. And the companies that make irons regularly put out statements - DO NOT USE - it is full of stuff that clogs irons. So there is not a lot of mineral in it, there are enough mold or fungus spores to be much more dangerous. SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php |
Paph problems
Thanks! I'll remember the apple cider vinegar if I decide I need to lower
the pH. I think for now, I'm just going to switch to tap water... "Mark Prout" wrote in message ... We have pretty basic water here in KC. Nearly pH 9. No problem with salts if I flush well when watering. I used bottled distilled for my brachys though. For all else, I just lower the pH of the tap water with apple cider vinegar, a natural acid with some bonus micronutrients as well. The phals love it. On 1/29/03 12:49 AM, in article APKZ9.76097$rM2.43834@rwcrnsc53, "Jerry Hoffmeister" wrote: Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that the dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember when I was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was essentially distilled or pure water. I figured the same but was suprised when it read higher on the TDS meter than the tap water. And yes, we're blessed here in Seattle with great water! In the greenhouse, I simply use a hozon thingy to add fert to the tap water. "Clare Sleeter" wrote in message ... What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask the same. The water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. Susan Erickson wrote: On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" wrote: I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water from the dehumidifier that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the "distilled" water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 ppm here in Seattle. So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? What is in the new water? SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php -- ----------------------------------------------------- Click here for Free Video!! http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ |
Paph problems
Interesting Mark? How much Apple Cider Vinegar do you use in proportion to
water? Cheers Wendy "Mark Prout" wrote in message ... | We have pretty basic water here in KC. Nearly pH 9. No problem with salts if | I flush well when watering. I used bottled distilled for my brachys though. | For all else, I just lower the pH of the tap water with apple cider vinegar, | a natural acid with some bonus micronutrients as well. The phals love it. | | On 1/29/03 12:49 AM, in article APKZ9.76097$rM2.43834@rwcrnsc53, "Jerry | Hoffmeister" wrote: | | Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that the | dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember when I | was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was essentially | distilled or pure water. I figured the same but was suprised when it read | higher on the TDS meter than the tap water. And yes, we're blessed here in | Seattle with great water! In the greenhouse, I simply use a hozon thingy to | add fert to the tap water. | | "Clare Sleeter" wrote in message | ... | What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask the | same. The | water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. | | Susan Erickson wrote: | | On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" | wrote: | | I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water | from | the dehumidifier | that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- | The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the | "distilled" | water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 | ppm | here in Seattle. | | So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT | RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe | water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? | | What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? | What is in the new water? | | SuE | http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php | | -- | ----------------------------------------------------- | Click here for Free Video!! | http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ | | | | | |
Paph problems
That's a good question, Wendy, as straight vinegar is a marvelous herbicide!
I use it to keep weeds out of my brick walkway. -- Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! "Wendy" wrote in message ... Interesting Mark? How much Apple Cider Vinegar do you use in proportion to water? Cheers Wendy "Mark Prout" wrote in message ... | We have pretty basic water here in KC. Nearly pH 9. No problem with salts if | I flush well when watering. I used bottled distilled for my brachys though. | For all else, I just lower the pH of the tap water with apple cider vinegar, | a natural acid with some bonus micronutrients as well. The phals love it. | | On 1/29/03 12:49 AM, in article APKZ9.76097$rM2.43834@rwcrnsc53, "Jerry | Hoffmeister" wrote: | | Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that the | dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember when I | was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was essentially | distilled or pure water. I figured the same but was suprised when it read | higher on the TDS meter than the tap water. And yes, we're blessed here in | Seattle with great water! In the greenhouse, I simply use a hozon thingy to | add fert to the tap water. | | "Clare Sleeter" wrote in message | ... | What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask the | same. The | water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. | | Susan Erickson wrote: | | On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" | wrote: | | I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water | from | the dehumidifier | that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- | The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the | "distilled" | water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 | ppm | here in Seattle. | | So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT | RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe | water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? | | What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? | What is in the new water? | | SuE | http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php | | -- | ----------------------------------------------------- | Click here for Free Video!! | http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ | | | | | |
Paph problems
I'm curious as well...
And Ray, if vinegar is a bad choice (to lower pH) what would u suggest? "Ray @ First Rays Orchids" wrote in message ... That's a good question, Wendy, as straight vinegar is a marvelous herbicide! I use it to keep weeds out of my brick walkway. -- Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! "Wendy" wrote in message ... Interesting Mark? How much Apple Cider Vinegar do you use in proportion to water? Cheers Wendy "Mark Prout" wrote in message ... | We have pretty basic water here in KC. Nearly pH 9. No problem with salts if | I flush well when watering. I used bottled distilled for my brachys though. | For all else, I just lower the pH of the tap water with apple cider vinegar, | a natural acid with some bonus micronutrients as well. The phals love it. | | On 1/29/03 12:49 AM, in article APKZ9.76097$rM2.43834@rwcrnsc53, "Jerry | Hoffmeister" wrote: | | Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that the | dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember when I | was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was essentially | distilled or pure water. I figured the same but was suprised when it read | higher on the TDS meter than the tap water. And yes, we're blessed here in | Seattle with great water! In the greenhouse, I simply use a hozon thingy to | add fert to the tap water. | | "Clare Sleeter" wrote in message | ... | What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask the | same. The | water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. | | Susan Erickson wrote: | | On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" | wrote: | | I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water | from | the dehumidifier | that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- | The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the | "distilled" | water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 | ppm | here in Seattle. | | So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT | RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe | water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? | | What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? | What is in the new water? | | SuE | http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php | | -- | ----------------------------------------------------- | Click here for Free Video!! | http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ | | | | | |
Paph problems
Sorry, I've been away from the desk awhile. I've been using a tablespoon to
the gallon to get a pH of 6. On 1/29/03 5:44 PM, in article , "Jerry Hoffmeister" wrote: I'm curious as well... And Ray, if vinegar is a bad choice (to lower pH) what would u suggest? "Ray @ First Rays Orchids" wrote in message ... That's a good question, Wendy, as straight vinegar is a marvelous herbicide! I use it to keep weeds out of my brick walkway. -- Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! "Wendy" wrote in message ... Interesting Mark? How much Apple Cider Vinegar do you use in proportion to water? Cheers Wendy "Mark Prout" wrote in message ... | We have pretty basic water here in KC. Nearly pH 9. No problem with salts if | I flush well when watering. I used bottled distilled for my brachys though. | For all else, I just lower the pH of the tap water with apple cider vinegar, | a natural acid with some bonus micronutrients as well. The phals love it. | | On 1/29/03 12:49 AM, in article APKZ9.76097$rM2.43834@rwcrnsc53, "Jerry | Hoffmeister" wrote: | | Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that the | dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember when I | was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was essentially | distilled or pure water. I figured the same but was suprised when it read | higher on the TDS meter than the tap water. And yes, we're blessed here in | Seattle with great water! In the greenhouse, I simply use a hozon thingy to | add fert to the tap water. | | "Clare Sleeter" wrote in message | ... | What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask the | same. The | water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. | | Susan Erickson wrote: | | On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" | wrote: | | I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water | from | the dehumidifier | that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- | The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the | "distilled" | water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 | ppm | here in Seattle. | | So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT | RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe | water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? | | What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? | What is in the new water? | | SuE | http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php | | -- | ----------------------------------------------------- | Click here for Free Video!! | http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ | | | | | |
Paph problems
Oh, and before vinegar, I used to use a couple of drops of muriatic acid per
gallon ... also otherwise deadly. On 1/29/03 5:44 PM, in article , "Jerry Hoffmeister" wrote: I'm curious as well... And Ray, if vinegar is a bad choice (to lower pH) what would u suggest? "Ray @ First Rays Orchids" wrote in message ... That's a good question, Wendy, as straight vinegar is a marvelous herbicide! I use it to keep weeds out of my brick walkway. -- Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! "Wendy" wrote in message ... Interesting Mark? How much Apple Cider Vinegar do you use in proportion to water? Cheers Wendy "Mark Prout" wrote in message ... | We have pretty basic water here in KC. Nearly pH 9. No problem with salts if | I flush well when watering. I used bottled distilled for my brachys though. | For all else, I just lower the pH of the tap water with apple cider vinegar, | a natural acid with some bonus micronutrients as well. The phals love it. | | On 1/29/03 12:49 AM, in article APKZ9.76097$rM2.43834@rwcrnsc53, "Jerry | Hoffmeister" wrote: | | Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that the | dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember when I | was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was essentially | distilled or pure water. I figured the same but was suprised when it read | higher on the TDS meter than the tap water. And yes, we're blessed here in | Seattle with great water! In the greenhouse, I simply use a hozon thingy to | add fert to the tap water. | | "Clare Sleeter" wrote in message | ... | What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask the | same. The | water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. | | Susan Erickson wrote: | | On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" | wrote: | | I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water | from | the dehumidifier | that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- | The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the | "distilled" | water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 | ppm | here in Seattle. | | So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT | RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe | water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? | | What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? | What is in the new water? | | SuE | http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php | | -- | ----------------------------------------------------- | Click here for Free Video!! | http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ | | | | | |
Paph problems
I must try that! It's cheap too! *g* Thanks, Cheers Wendy
"Ray @ First Rays Orchids" wrote in message ... | That's a good question, Wendy, as straight vinegar is a marvelous herbicide! | I use it to keep weeds out of my brick walkway. | | -- | | Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids | http://www.firstrays.com | Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! | | | "Wendy" wrote in message | ... | Interesting Mark? How much Apple Cider Vinegar do you use in proportion to | water? | Cheers Wendy | "Mark Prout" wrote in message | ... | | We have pretty basic water here in KC. Nearly pH 9. No problem with | salts | if | | I flush well when watering. I used bottled distilled for my brachys | though. | | For all else, I just lower the pH of the tap water with apple cider | vinegar, | | a natural acid with some bonus micronutrients as well. The phals love | it. | | | | On 1/29/03 12:49 AM, in article APKZ9.76097$rM2.43834@rwcrnsc53, "Jerry | | Hoffmeister" wrote: | | | | Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that | the | | dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember | when I | | was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was | essentially | | distilled or pure water. I figured the same but was suprised when it | read | | higher on the TDS meter than the tap water. And yes, we're blessed | here | in | | Seattle with great water! In the greenhouse, I simply use a hozon | thingy to | | add fert to the tap water. | | | | "Clare Sleeter" wrote in message | | ... | | What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask the | | same. The | | water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. | | | | Susan Erickson wrote: | | | | On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" | | wrote: | | | | I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" | water | | from | | the dehumidifier | | that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- | | The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the | | "distilled" | | water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs | 33 | | ppm | | here in Seattle. | | | | So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT | | RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe | | water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? | | | | What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? | | What is in the new water? | | | | SuE | | http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php | | | | -- | | ----------------------------------------------------- | | Click here for Free Video!! | | http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paph problems
I didn't say it was bad... unless we're talking "pure" vinegar.
I really don't have a recommendations as my well water is extremely acidic in the first place, and once I pass it through my RO unit and add the Dyna-Gro, I use ProTekt to raise the pH. -- Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! "Jerry Hoffmeister" wrote in message ... I'm curious as well... And Ray, if vinegar is a bad choice (to lower pH) what would u suggest? "Ray @ First Rays Orchids" wrote in message ... That's a good question, Wendy, as straight vinegar is a marvelous herbicide! I use it to keep weeds out of my brick walkway. -- Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids http://www.firstrays.com Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! "Wendy" wrote in message ... Interesting Mark? How much Apple Cider Vinegar do you use in proportion to water? Cheers Wendy "Mark Prout" wrote in message ... | We have pretty basic water here in KC. Nearly pH 9. No problem with salts if | I flush well when watering. I used bottled distilled for my brachys though. | For all else, I just lower the pH of the tap water with apple cider vinegar, | a natural acid with some bonus micronutrients as well. The phals love it. | | On 1/29/03 12:49 AM, in article APKZ9.76097$rM2.43834@rwcrnsc53, "Jerry | Hoffmeister" wrote: | | Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more that the | dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I remember when I | was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was essentially | distilled or pure water. I figured the same but was suprised when it read | higher on the TDS meter than the tap water. And yes, we're blessed here in | Seattle with great water! In the greenhouse, I simply use a hozon thingy to | add fert to the tap water. | | "Clare Sleeter" wrote in message | ... | What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask the | same. The | water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. | | Susan Erickson wrote: | | On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" | wrote: | | I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" water | from | the dehumidifier | that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- | The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the | "distilled" | water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm vs 33 | ppm | here in Seattle. | | So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT | RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe | water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? | | What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? | What is in the new water? | | SuE | http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php | | -- | ----------------------------------------------------- | Click here for Free Video!! | http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ | | | | | |
Paph problems
So if I wanted to try this, I would first check to see what the pH is. Would
I do this after adding the fertilizer? Is 6 a good number for orchids? Cheers Wendy "Mark Prout" wrote in message ... | Sorry, I've been away from the desk awhile. I've been using a tablespoon to | the gallon to get a pH of 6. | | On 1/29/03 5:44 PM, in article , "Jerry | Hoffmeister" wrote: | | I'm curious as well... | | And Ray, if vinegar is a bad choice (to lower pH) what would u suggest? | | "Ray @ First Rays Orchids" wrote in message | ... | That's a good question, Wendy, as straight vinegar is a marvelous | herbicide! | I use it to keep weeds out of my brick walkway. | | -- | | Ray Barkalow First Rays Orchids | http://www.firstrays.com | Secure Online Ordering & Lots of Free Info! | | | "Wendy" wrote in message | ... | Interesting Mark? How much Apple Cider Vinegar do you use in proportion | to | water? | Cheers Wendy | "Mark Prout" wrote in message | ... | | We have pretty basic water here in KC. Nearly pH 9. No problem with | salts | if | | I flush well when watering. I used bottled distilled for my brachys | though. | | For all else, I just lower the pH of the tap water with apple cider | vinegar, | | a natural acid with some bonus micronutrients as well. The phals love | it. | | | | On 1/29/03 12:49 AM, in article APKZ9.76097$rM2.43834@rwcrnsc53, | "Jerry | | Hoffmeister" wrote: | | | | Not really trying to escape anything except chlorine. It's more | that | the | | dehumidifier is "making" water so I might as well use it. I | remember | when I | | was a kid, my mother would use it in her iron thinking it was | essentially | | distilled or pure water. I figured the same but was suprised when | it | read | | higher on the TDS meter than the tap water. And yes, we're blessed | here | in | | Seattle with great water! In the greenhouse, I simply use a hozon | thingy to | | add fert to the tap water. | | | | "Clare Sleeter" wrote in message | | ... | | What is in the Seattle water that you are trying to escape? I ask | the | | same. The | | water up here is so wondxerful compared to Southern CA. | | | | Susan Erickson wrote: | | | | On Wed, 29 Jan 2003 02:37:33 GMT, "Jerry Hoffmeister" | | wrote: | | | | I have an RO water / pH question - I'm watering w/ "distilled" | water | | from | | the dehumidifier | | that ----------------clipped ----------------------------- | | The other interesting thing is that the dissolved salts in the | | "distilled" | | water reads more than the water straight out of the tap - 40 ppm | vs | 33 | | ppm | | here in Seattle. | | | | So, Why are you using RO water? And DEHUMIDIFIER water is NOT | | RO. It is, in my experience, not very clean or chemical safe | | water. What metals are in the pipes in your dehumidifier? | | | | What is in Seattle's water you are trying to escape? | | What is in the new water? | | | | SuE | | http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php | | | | -- | | ----------------------------------------------------- | | Click here for Free Video!! | | http://www.gohip.com/freevideo/ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Paph problems
Wendy wrote:
So if I wanted to try this, I would first check to see what the pH is. Would I do this after adding the fertilizer? Is 6 a good number for orchids? Cheers Wendy Always check the pH both before you add acids (or bases), and after. pH test strips or a cheap meter are a necessity for growing orchids. I wouldn't ever rely on set amount of acid, it depends on the concentration and composition of the fertilizer and the water. Check before - so you have an idea of how much to add. Check after - so you know if you over or under corrected. For what it is worth, vinegar (If I recall about 8% acetic acid) is fine to lower pH. White or cider makes no difference. Lemon juice (containing citric acid) works fine too, and smells nice. You need more lemon juice... Muriatic (hydrochloric) acid is fine but a little too concentrated to be safe. You can safely drink or touch vinegar and lemon juice (although you should probably not bathe in it or spend too much time soaking in it...). When I used Dynagro, I always had raise my pH. I used 10N NaOH (sodium hydroxide) - but it didn't take much. Most people probably don't have access to pure NaOH, but lye would work. Or you can just buy the various 'pH-up' and 'pH-down' products on the market. -- Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a. See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase more orchids, obtain more credit 4) Repot! (by popular request) |
Paph problems
Don't know what more I can add, but to agree with Rob. But I have read that
apple cider vinegar has some micronutrients as well as the acid. The vinegar I buy says it's 5% acid. On 1/30/03 10:38 AM, in article , "Rob Halgren" wrote: Wendy wrote: So if I wanted to try this, I would first check to see what the pH is. Would I do this after adding the fertilizer? Is 6 a good number for orchids? Cheers Wendy Always check the pH both before you add acids (or bases), and after. pH test strips or a cheap meter are a necessity for growing orchids. I wouldn't ever rely on set amount of acid, it depends on the concentration and composition of the fertilizer and the water. Check before - so you have an idea of how much to add. Check after - so you know if you over or under corrected. For what it is worth, vinegar (If I recall about 8% acetic acid) is fine to lower pH. White or cider makes no difference. Lemon juice (containing citric acid) works fine too, and smells nice. You need more lemon juice... Muriatic (hydrochloric) acid is fine but a little too concentrated to be safe. You can safely drink or touch vinegar and lemon juice (although you should probably not bathe in it or spend too much time soaking in it...). When I used Dynagro, I always had raise my pH. I used 10N NaOH (sodium hydroxide) - but it didn't take much. Most people probably don't have access to pure NaOH, but lye would work. Or you can just buy the various 'pH-up' and 'pH-down' products on the market. |
Paph problems
Mark Prout wrote:
Don't know what more I can add, but to agree with Rob. But I have read that apple cider vinegar has some micronutrients as well as the acid. The vinegar I buy says it's 5% acid. I wanted to say 5%... But it just didn't sound right. I think the difference between white and cider vinegar is that white vinegar is distilled. But I could be wrong. So it makes sense that cider vinegar has more stuff in it. Whether or not any of those things are plant nutrients I have no idea. Can't hurt, I'd guess. Rob -- Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren 1) There is always room for one more orchid 2) There is always room for two more orchids 2a. See rule 1 3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase more orchids, obtain more credit |
Paph problems
Rob spaketh thusly with great wisdom:
When I used Dynagro, I always had raise my pH. I used 10N NaOH (sodium hydroxide) - but it didn't take much. Most people probably don't have access to pure NaOH, but lye would work. Or you can just buy the various 'pH-up' and 'pH-down' products on the market. Sodium hydroxide is very effective at raising the pH; potassium hydroxide would have the added benefit of adding potassium, which plants use at a much higher rate than sodium (if they use sodium at all). HOWEVER, sodium hydroxide is very dangerous- toxic, caustic, you name it. Drain cleaner. With this in mind, use the proper safety precautions (gloves, eye protection, shoes and long pants) if you use it: Red Devil Lye. Pure enough to make soap with. A solution of this may be added dropwise to your water to raise the pH. Solutions should be stored in tightly sealed bottles. The solution absorbs carbon dioxide, reducing its strength over time. -AJHicks Chandler, AZ |
Paph problems
On Thu, 30 Jan 2003 11:38:21 -0500, Rob Halgren
wrote: lots of clipping ahead For what it is worth, vinegar (If I recall about 8% acetic acid) is fine to lower pH. White or cider makes no difference. .................. You can safely drink or touch vinegar and lemon juice (although you should probably not bathe in it or spend too much time soaking in it...). Grandma always said Apple Cider vinegar would stop a sunburn from burning deeper or help ease a sliver back out if you soak it long enough. It will also drain an infected cut. One of those that, because you were in the gh when you nicked yourself, you were too busy to treat. So now it is infected. Always works for me, although my son (redhead and sunburn) says he does not want to smell like a pickle. SuE http://orchids.legolas.org/gallery/albums.php |
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