#1: pH water/medium

Posted on 2006-06-14 05:09:41 by sandra

Hello Everyone,
I've been recently having some problems with some of my orchids, their
plant growth to be specific, they are growing smaller leaves, and I
know they're getting plenty of light because they're in a west window
with 2 40 watt 4 ft fixtures.
I water with distilled water, some of my plants are in bark, some of
them are in moss...I noticed the ones in moss and one in bark are only
having this problem...
I water with distilled water at 5.6-6.1....should the water be more
alcalinic to offset the acidity of the potting medium?
The potting medium despite being sphag is around 5.5
-Sandra

Report this message

Mr Ad

Google

#2: Re: pH water/medium

Posted on 2006-06-14 05:23:41 by Kye

To my mind (and I could be wrong) wouldnt smaller leaves be an indicator of
prolonged adequate light reception, remaining short of the burning point???

Cheers
Kye.

"sandra" <moongirl200@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1150254581.553450.64010@y43g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> Hello Everyone,
> I've been recently having some problems with some of my orchids, their
> plant growth to be specific, they are growing smaller leaves, and I
> know they're getting plenty of light because they're in a west window
> with 2 40 watt 4 ft fixtures.
> I water with distilled water, some of my plants are in bark, some of
> them are in moss...I noticed the ones in moss and one in bark are only
> having this problem...
> I water with distilled water at 5.6-6.1....should the water be more
> alcalinic to offset the acidity of the potting medium?
> The potting medium despite being sphag is around 5.5
> -Sandra
>

Report this message

#3: Re: pH water/medium

Posted on 2006-06-14 11:53:04 by Ray

My guess is that while the pH, per se, may be playing a role, the real issue
is that you're starving the plants.

Orchids get essentially no nutrition from the medium - until it decomposes
that is, and at that point it's time to repot! You must add nutrients via a
fertilizer. Additionally, as the transfer of nutrient ions is osmotic,
continuous watering with pure water may actually imbalance things
sufficiently to remove previously-absorbed nutrient ions from the plant.

Moreover. as pure water has no buffering capacity, the pH can fluctuate
wildly upon dissolution of the tiniest amount of material into it. Adding
fertilizer will buffer it and give you a stable pH in the root environment.
(Use one designed for pure water or you'll have to adjust the pH further.)

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies, Artwork, Books and Lots of Free Info!


"sandra" <moongirl200@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message
news:1150254581.553450.64010@y43g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> Hello Everyone,
> I've been recently having some problems with some of my orchids, their
> plant growth to be specific, they are growing smaller leaves, and I
> know they're getting plenty of light because they're in a west window
> with 2 40 watt 4 ft fixtures.
> I water with distilled water, some of my plants are in bark, some of
> them are in moss...I noticed the ones in moss and one in bark are only
> having this problem...
> I water with distilled water at 5.6-6.1....should the water be more
> alcalinic to offset the acidity of the potting medium?
> The potting medium despite being sphag is around 5.5
> -Sandra
>

Report this message

#4: Re: pH water/medium

Posted on 2006-06-14 17:11:24 by jtill

sandra wrote:
> Hello Everyone,
> I've been recently having some problems with some of my orchids, their
> plant growth to be specific, they are growing smaller leaves, and I
> know they're getting plenty of light because they're in a west window
> with 2 40 watt 4 ft fixtures.
> I water with distilled water, some of my plants are in bark, some of
> them are in moss...I noticed the ones in moss and one in bark are only
> having this problem...
> I water with distilled water at 5.6-6.1....should the water be more
> alcalinic to offset the acidity of the potting medium?
> The potting medium despite being sphag is around 5.5
> -Sandra

After obtaining a light meter I found that my estimate of lighting at
my plants varied by a mile from reality. :-))
Joe T

Report this message

#5: Re: pH water/medium

Posted on 2006-06-14 17:36:28 by Rob

jtill wrote:
> sandra wrote:
>> Hello Everyone,
>> I've been recently having some problems with some of my orchids, their
>> plant growth to be specific, they are growing smaller leaves, and I
>> know they're getting plenty of light because they're in a west window
>> with 2 40 watt 4 ft fixtures.
>> I water with distilled water, some of my plants are in bark, some of
>> them are in moss...I noticed the ones in moss and one in bark are only
>> having this problem...
>> I water with distilled water at 5.6-6.1....should the water be more
>> alcalinic to offset the acidity of the potting medium?
>> The potting medium despite being sphag is around 5.5
>> -Sandra
>
> After obtaining a light meter I found that my estimate of lighting at
> my plants varied by a mile from reality. :-))
> Joe T
>

Actually different light meters read miles from each other, as well. It
is difficult to find one that works well under all circumstances. Some
are wildly inaccurate under fluorescent light, or other lighting setups.
In other words, watch the plants, not the light meter.

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 obtain more
orchids, obtain more credit

Report this message

#6: Re: pH water/medium

Posted on 2006-06-14 21:23:51 by jtill

Rob wrote:
> jtill wrote:
> > sandra wrote:
> >> Hello Everyone,
> >> I've been recently having some problems with some of my orchids, their
> >> plant growth to be specific, they are growing smaller leaves, and I
> >> know they're getting plenty of light because they're in a west window
> >> with 2 40 watt 4 ft fixtures.
> >> I water with distilled water, some of my plants are in bark, some of
> >> them are in moss...I noticed the ones in moss and one in bark are only
> >> having this problem...
> >> I water with distilled water at 5.6-6.1....should the water be more
> >> alcalinic to offset the acidity of the potting medium?
> >> The potting medium despite being sphag is around 5.5
> >> -Sandra
> >
> > After obtaining a light meter I found that my estimate of lighting at
> > my plants varied by a mile from reality. :-))
> > Joe T
> >
>
> Actually different light meters read miles from each other, as well. It
> is difficult to find one that works well under all circumstances. Some
> are wildly inaccurate under fluorescent light, or other lighting setups.
> In other words, watch the plants, not the light meter.
>
> 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 obtain more
> orchids, obtain more credit

Well, heck! I was feeling secure on one point! (I am also watching the
green stuff!)
Thanks Bob.
Joe T

Report this message

#7: Re: pH water/medium

Posted on 2006-06-15 22:18:25 by Kenni Judd

Don't rely too heavily on that light meter, without some kind of check.
The check may be your own eyes, esp. if informed by a little reading, or a
second light meter, or a friend if you don't trust your own eyes. Eyes do
also vary -- I can see the difference between our two "Catt zones," on which
the shadecloth varies by only about 15%; my husband can't. But the plants
can certainly tell. I've had plants starting to burn in the brighter area
perk right up when moved to the shadier one, and plants getting too "leggy"
in the shadier one which promptly straightened up when moved to the brighter
one. The light meter I once tried (mid-range, not the cheapest but not "top
of the line") couldn't tell much difference between the Phal zone (80%
shade) and the parking lot (full south Florida sun). Obviously, it was
returned for a refund. Kenni



"jtill" <jtill10610@aol.com> wrote in message
news:1150297884.587890.205870@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>
> After obtaining a light meter I found that my estimate of lighting at
> my plants varied by a mile from reality. :-))
> Joe T
>

Report this message

#8: Re: pH water/medium

Posted on 2006-06-15 22:53:19 by jtill

Kenni Judd wrote:
> Don't rely too heavily on that light meter, without some kind of check.
> The check may be your own eyes, esp. if informed by a little reading, or a
> second light meter, or a friend if you don't trust your own eyes. Eyes do
> also vary -- I can see the difference between our two "Catt zones," on which
> the shadecloth varies by only about 15%; my husband can't. But the plants
> can certainly tell. I've had plants starting to burn in the brighter area
> perk right up when moved to the shadier one, and plants getting too "leggy"
> in the shadier one which promptly straightened up when moved to the brighter
> one. The light meter I once tried (mid-range, not the cheapest but not "top
> of the line") couldn't tell much difference between the Phal zone (80%
> shade) and the parking lot (full south Florida sun). Obviously, it was
> returned for a refund. Kenni
>
>
>
> "jtill" <jtill10610@aol.com> wrote in message
> news:1150297884.587890.205870@i40g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> >
> > After obtaining a light meter I found that my estimate of lighting at
> > my plants varied by a mile from reality. :-))
> > Joe T
> >

Have you noticed that everything about orchids comes with a whole
mouthfull of qualifiers?!!? :-))
I have been moving my CATTS around, and Oncidiums, starting from full
shade into more spotted shade dependant on leaf color, each seems to
have it's own needs. You know of course that is a slowwwwwwwwwww
process. Orchids do not live in the fast lane!
Being from an instrument engineering background, I like things to fall
into some neat pattern, which makes one wonder why I am fooling around
with orchids.
Ray is an engineer and every once in a while you can see that in his
posts, so, trudge on!
AND THANKS FOR THE CAUTION.
Joe T

Report this message

#9: Re: pH water/medium

Posted on 2006-06-15 23:01:44 by Kenni Judd

Joe, that's an easy one. The first rule about orchids is that all the other
"rules" have exceptions <G>. Kenni

> Have you noticed that everything about orchids comes with a whole
> mouthfull of qualifiers?!!? :-))

Report this message