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08-06-2007, 07:49 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Michigan
Age: 30
Posts: 33
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Hello from Michigan!
Hi Everyone!
I bought my first orchid (a Phal.) in March at an orchid show, and a few minutes later won a gorgeous Dendrobium in a prize drawing! Now I am addicted, and have acquired orchids much faster than I have acquired the knowledge and experience about them. So, I am looking to talk to some other peeps who love these amazing plants and who can give me a little advice....
I just moved to Michigan from New York a few weeks ago. Since I've been here I've bought a couple more orchids, usually from the "sad plants" tables at the Walmart. Unfortunately, even my healthy plants are starting to show some signs of wear and tear (dry spots on the leaves, burned looking edges to the leaves, and most alarming, four of the Brassidium's long leaves have just dried up almost completely in one day). They are all in south and east facing windows, so I don't think it's sunburn. However, I just read in my orchid book that soft water is horrible for orchids. EEK. The water in my apartment is so soft that it feels like your hands are soapy even after you've rinsed them for 10 minutes. Could it be that this soft water is what is causing the problem? I am probably guilty of overwatering as well.... Any suggestions?  I was thinking of just leaving them alone for a couple of days, and then rinsing them through with distilled water.
Sorry to be so clueless! Thanks for any advice you can give! 
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08-06-2007, 07:55 PM
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Roots are good
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Join Date: Sep 2006
Zone: 5a
Location: Cadillac, Michigan, USA
Posts: 9,288
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Welcome from Cadillac. Yes the soft water from a water softener will slowly kill your orchids and all other plants. Softeners work by replacing the calcium with sodium chloride (salt) that's why salt is used to "recharge" the softener. Your best bet is to buy distilled water from a grocery store to flush the plants, then mix fertiliezer with the same distilled water to water the orchids. Try to visit Welcome to First Rays Orchids (an Orchid Board sponsor) and read all the stuff on fertilizing and water. Hope this helps.
__________________
Ross
http://orchids-ross.blogspot.com/
I don't do most Dendros or large, "floofy orchids". For me it's minis (like Angraecoides), Masdies, Paphs, and others that crept in somewhere along the line. See my orchid list for complete collection (usually not current.)
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08-06-2007, 09:15 PM
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Ambassador
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Join Date: Apr 2006
Zone: 9a
Location: Spring Hill, FL
Posts: 16,237
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Hi and welcome to Orchidboard 
The addiction hits fast and hard, doesn't it? 
You are now surrounded by enablers so it'll just get worse...or is that better?
The folks here are great about sharing their knowledge and experience.
What part of New York did you come from? I know a Huber family in Ridgewood/Glendale. 
If you have any questions, please feel free to ask  |
08-07-2007, 09:44 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Mid Michigan
Posts: 644
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Soft water is not good for orchids. If you are planning on using a lot of water, you might want to invest in a small (or large) reverse osmosis unit. That keeps you from lugging water from the store every day.
If you just need a little, you can use spring water, if it is cheaper than distilled. And look for a store that has an RO machine, if you fill up your own plastic bottles it is cheaper and better for the environment.
Where are you in Michigan?
Rob
__________________
Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com
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
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08-07-2007, 10:11 AM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Zone: 8a
Location: Enterprise, AL
Age: 27
Posts: 171
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 Congrats on your never-ending journey of Orchids!
I myself have plenty of "saved plants from Lowes and Walmart" I just can't help it leaving them there to die if I maybe be able to keep them alive....maybe? 
Well welcome to the OB!
As you see everyone just pipes in to help you out. If you take  and post them online in the correct thread forum, people will be able to help a little bit more if you show them and explain your situation, as you already have!
First Rays Orchids has tons of free information, it will take a minute or two to read it all, but it is extremely insightful!
Again, welcome!
__________________
Candice
~The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams. Eleanor Roosevelt
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08-07-2007, 12:03 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: May 2005
Zone: 7b
Location: Queens, NY, USA
Age: 30
Posts: 8,789
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Welcome to the orchid Board. Yea, the orchid bug hits faster than most people can read books on orchids. but you'll catch up. Congrats!
__________________
All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.
-J.R.R. Tolkien, LOTR, Fellowship of the Ring
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08-08-2007, 04:07 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Michigan
Age: 30
Posts: 33
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Hey all!
Thanks for your advice and welcomes. I grabbed a bunch of bottles of distilled water today and mixed in some fertilizer, then rinsed my plants a couple of times with the distilled water to try to get some of that sodium out. Also repotted my Brassidium since he was so rootbound you could barely see any of the old potting mixture! So, wish them luck.
As for me, I'm in Adrian, Michigan and moved from Rochester, NY so am still adjusting to the small-town feel.
Okay thanks again!
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08-08-2007, 04:54 PM
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Mid Michigan
Posts: 644
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ehuber
As for me, I'm in Adrian, Michigan and moved from Rochester, NY so am still adjusting to the small-town feel.
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Well, I'm in Stockbridge, so if you ever need anything let me know. Your nearest Orchid Societies are probably Lansing or Ann Arbor, if you are interested (I'm in both).
__________________
Rob's Rules: http://littlefrogfarm.com
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
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08-08-2007, 05:33 PM
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Member
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Michigan
Age: 30
Posts: 33
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Thanks very much Rob. Do you suggest joining one of these societies? It would be nice to meet some other orchid folks. I love the pictures of your little froggies! They are so cute!!!
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08-08-2007, 11:26 PM
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Moderator
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Zone: 9b
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 3,053
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 Aboard ehuber glad you joined the OB, a great community as you have already found out and we are all here to help in any way we can.
It brings a lot to the table when you can rescue a chid or two, as I see it if you are a newbie and your a rescuer and they survived your a great orchid grower
Hey got s, we lovem' here at the OB... 
__________________
Cheryl
“Respect does not come from the work you do, it comes from the way you do your work.”
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