Watering orchids with vodka

[K-Sci]

All y'all know I like to bring up controversial topics. The resulting discussions are often very worthwhile and informative. Forum member TheFish posted the link below, which is very interesting, and not just because it suggests watering high light orchids with vodka.

Sue Bottom of St. Augustine Orchid Society

Here's the essential quote:

"Ethanol.It has been suggested that adding ethyl alcohol to high light growing orchids can enhance the growth rate.Using an 80 proof vodka, the recommended addition rate is 0.6 tsp/gal. I have been using about a third that rate weekly during the growing season and am seeing very vigorous growth.Some growers suggest the alcohol has no impact, others think perhaps the alcohol is easily converted to sugar and absorbed by the plants or that perhaps the alcohol is an alternate carbon source to the carbon dioxide absorbed from the atmosphere. Ray Barkalow of FirstRays speculates it might increase the permeability of the plants' cell walls, therefore allowing a greater throughput of the fluids the plants need to grow. This is an experiment in progress but I think I’ll continue using 0.2 tsp/gal weekly during the spring and summer growing season."

I've never heard of doing this. Anyone here besides Ray (maybe) give booze to their orchids? Ray, can you give us the the scoop on this?



-Keith