watering - Orchid Board

abeauty2b10 · #1 08-28-2007, 12:33 AM

Hi there,
When I water my orchids in s/h I flush them out with plain water first. Is that a step that is not necessary?

Ross · #2 08-28-2007, 01:11 PM

Don't understand why no response, so far. I don't do S/H but I never flush my orchids prior to fertilizing, so I think the answer is just flush the weak fertilizer solution through the container which will drive out the built-up salts from last time. Maybe Ray will post here?

Becca · #3 08-28-2007, 02:55 PM

Hi! I am not an expert on s/h, so hopefully Ray Barkalow of Welcome to First Rays Orchids will chime in. Take a look at his website, he has allot of info posted on his website, and chances are you will find the answer there. I have been using s/h since about this last June. To my understanding, you only need to fill the pot up once and let it drain. The only time flushing is needed is when you are flushing out build-ups like Ross mentioned. I try and do this once a month...so that ends up being about every fourth watering. Hope this helps and good luck!

Candice · #4 08-28-2007, 05:34 PM

If you refer to Ray's free information on his website, he has lots of information...and he also has a forum dedicated to s/h.
Anyways, Semi/hydroponic actually flushes out the resovoir that is filled with water you had in their prior to the current water/feed which actually is explained in his forum, unless you plug up the holes on the pot. The LECA media is not supposed to have mineral buildup persay, because of its nature. There really is no nutrient bearing results that come from PrimeAgra, so you can water almost everyday with food, and not overwater because the system is set up that way. Its hard to explain I guess......

No need to flush, but I would follow Beccas regime if you are worried. Do you see salt or mineral buildup?

Ray · #5 08-29-2007, 08:40 AM

Sorry to take so long to post - dropped my daughter off at school on Friday and buried my Mother-in-Law on Monday.

Assuming your watering regimen is to fill the pot rapidly and let it drain - as opposed to a slow fill or just topping up the reservoir - it is not necessary to flush with plan water first.

If your nutrient solution is sufficiently dilute, it becomes a complete, self-flush process. I feed at 125 ppm N at every watering, and have several plants that have not been repotted or flushed in over 5 years.

abeauty2b10 · #6 08-29-2007, 01:19 PM

Thank you all for your advise. What I'm doing now is I water twice a week by flushing all my orchids including those in bark and s/h before I fertilize. My fertilizer regimen for my s/h is 1/2 tbs of floramicro 5-0-1, 1/2 tbs of KLN 0.009-0.011-0.006, 1/2 tbs Pro-Tekt 0-0-3, 1/4 tbs florabloom 0-5-4, and finally 3/4 tbs floragro 2-1-6 per gallon. Everything is growing fine. I unfortunately do not have a greenhouse "yet" and am having to water 50 orchids at the kitchen sink. Just trying to eliminate an extra step is it's not necessary. Thanks again

Ray, sorry to hear about your mother-in-law.

Candice · #7 08-29-2007, 06:04 PM

RAY
I send my condolences to you and your family at this time.
Take care!

Ray · #8 08-30-2007, 09:25 PM

"abeauty", what alchemy are you up to?

Why not just get a decent all-around orchid fertilizer and use that, instead of all the blending?

It appears that a 4:1:5 ratio is good for most orchids, applied at a rate of 100 to 150 ppm N on a regular basis, and your concoction is pretty close. How are those for minor- and trace elements?

Then there's the rooting hormones: K-L-N should be used at no more than a drop or two per gallon as a regular additive - if at all. Too much can lead to flower deformation, and I've been told, stunted growth.

Pro-Tekt: What is your pH? Do you really need it?

abeauty2b10 · #9 08-30-2007, 10:03 PM

I'm trying to use up the fertilizer "General Hydroponics," that came with my grow light and that is what it says to do on the chart

. Once I finish it all I'd like to try something more simple, any suggestions? As far as minors and PH not sure where to look for that.

Ray · #10 08-31-2007, 05:56 AM

The minors and trace elements should be listed on the label.

You'd have to measure the pH. I asked that because I have most-often seen Pro-Tekt used as a way to increase the pH of overly-acidic solutions. If your water supply is reasonable buffered (most tap water is, unless it's from snow runoff), then adding a little will have no negative issues.