Kool-Log flushing?

[Salixx]

As the title says, I have been considering mineral and salt build-up in my kool-logs and what that might mean for the health of the orchids growing upon them.

I was wondering what others who grow orchids in a similar fashion do to prevent salt build up. Right now I flush the interior of the logs maybe once every other week with pure RO water, but I am not sure that is enough. I have considered soaking the plants and log for ~10min in pure RO once and a while.

I have 11 or 12 plants mounted on the logs, all but one is a pleurothallid of some kind. I probably add fert more than I should, 1/8 tsp/gal MSU RO once a week. I do this out of laziness because I don't want to fiddle with the water in my sprayer, not because I think they need it.

What do you guys think or do? How often should I flush? Could I get away with using regular tap water to do so (RO takes FOREVER to make for me)? My tap GH is in the 107ppm range according to my aquarium GH kit, if that matter.

Thanks!

[Subrosa]

107 ppm is something you flush because of, not with! Particularly for cool growers which come from higher altitude as they generally are among the least tolerant of mineral content in their water of all orchids. I wish my tap water was 107 ppm.........

[Salixx]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

107 ppm is something you flush because of, not with! Particularly for cool growers which come from higher altitude as they generally are among the least tolerant of mineral content in their water of all orchids. I wish my tap water was 107 ppm.........

Be careful what you wish for... I have to spend all day making 10g of RO water and tie up my kitchen sink to boot! That water is then usually gone in 45min once I am done watering everybody . It's gotten so bad that, except for the "flush" day once a month, the non-pleuros get a 1/2 tap, 1/2 RO mix... Only the royalty gets pure RO.

I hope this summer is wetter than the last one and I can set out a 50g rain collector...

*Edited to add - Unless your water is even harder... in which case, I'm sorry, that stinks!

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by Salixx

Be careful what you wish for... I have to spend all day making 10g of RO water and tie up my kitchen sink to boot! That water is then usually gone in 45min once I am done watering everybody . It's gotten so bad that, except for the "flush" day once a month, the non-pleuros get a 1/2 tap, 1/2 RO mix... Only the royalty gets pure RO.

I hope this summer is wetter than the last one and I can set out a 50g rain collector...

*Edited to add - Unless your water is even harder... in which case, I'm sorry, that stinks!

My tapwater runs around 200-210. However I can make 55 gal of ro in about 12 hours during the summer and in about 24 hours over the winter. It isn't difficult to set up an ro unit to run continuously while a demand exists and shut off when your container is full. As soon as it warms up I can start pulling rainwater from my collection system which totals about 400 gal.

[Leafmite]

Rainwater/melted snow does a nice job of flushing. Just put a few buckets and tubs out before a storm, catch the water, put it all together in the buckets, let it warm to room temperature and then run the water through the pots. Water from the sky is free!