Using Vodka

[ginnibug]

Ok let me wipe the tears from my eyes!!! Ok according to my husband, who works with methanol..."Methanol can kill you, leave it alone!! You can use the ethanol, that is what is in the alcohol in your beer that you give the orchids!" So I'm wondering if it's better to use the beer like I have been or use the cheapy vodka. What different properties do the two possess. Ginnibug

[Vanda lover]

I suspect that the beer would contain a few nutrients. After all, they did feed it to babies during the war when milk was hard to get.

[ALToronto]

Okay, I've almost stopped laughing after reading all the previous posts. Seriously now, if alcohol increases cell membrane permeability, would this not work both ways and make the plants more likely to dessicate? Ray, any thoughts?

[ginnibug]

You're right...Beer is much better than vodka. Much tastier, especially the yummy dark stuff. I like the lighter stuff too, but it needs little bits floating in it. Non of the chemical beer!!Ginnibug

[Vanda lover]

We used to have a beer festival every year and try beers from all over the world. I wonder if orchids have beer preferences too.

[Ferns Daddy]

I use beer on my orchid cactus and they seen to love it, I get bigger and better growth, I mix one small can to a gal of water once a month, I'm not sure if it the sugar in the beer that helps or what, it just makes them happy.
My Orchid cactus seem to like a dark beer. I might be turning my plants in too drunks

[ginnibug]

How much is a cheap bottle of vodka? Oh wait! I'll just ask my husband's family, they'll know!!! LOL!!! They know how to put the fun in Disfunction!!! Ginnibug

[gardengirl13]

OK so which is it, beer or vodka? And does anyone know the answer to my question, should this only be used on the high light orchids or can it be used on phals too. And I've used dish soap in a spray bottle for bugs, can this be mixed into the water as well when watering? Can't really see why not? I've heard about mixing ammonia right in to water hostas to keep slugs and other things away. I tried a it of vodka with the water a week and a half ago and no one seemed to have minded so far. I do have new growth (either spikes, leaves or roots) on every single orchid I own right now! So I'm fairly happy! But it's slightly more expensive to use for watering plants. I'd prefer to get a cheaper one, but worry that the quality may suffer, since we're using such small amounts here I don't mind spending $10 on a small bottle if it'll last 3 years. If I can use it for all my orchids it'll last less time since not even half of mine of higher light orchids.

[gardengirl13]

And if beer is better, then is dark beer better then light? The only beer I'll drink (I drink VERY rarely but I may steal a sip here and there) is a nice dark beer from a local brewery. It's like guinness only WAAAYYY better!

[ginnibug]

I know we have some chemical scientists around somewhere to ask. I might have one or two in my orchid society that I can ask next meeting. I have personally used whatever beer that I have. Whatever was skunky or something new that I tried and was not "up to snuff". The thinking behind my use of beer for the orchids always pertained to the sugar and extra energy that they were receiving from it. But I would like to know the difference btwn the beer and the hard liquor, just because! Maybe there is something I've been missing.By the way,I really and truly don't think that it matters a wit whether it's light or dark beer.Ginnibug