Viewing post #1089907 by chris1948

dyzzypyxxy said:I know Chris. The hard water deposits on the leaves of your orchids was most likely a good part made of calcium from your tap water. That's why I'm saying I don't think you need to be buying something to "add" calcium when you have it right there in your tap water. Maybe give them a douse with the hose once a month, for a shot of calcium from the tap water.

The potassium nitrate IS fertilizer too, so you are feeding your Phals very lightly every time you mist them with it. It just sounds to me as if you aren't letting them dry out very much between all the misting and watering you are doing. Try leaving them to dry out at least a couple of days a week and see what happens?

The number one cause of death in orchids is over-watering, remember.

So, to clarify Elaine, once a month run just tap water through the bark until it runs out the bottom which will cleanse the bark and at the same time add calcium. Change my misting to every 3 days and only mist once that day with the potassium nitrate and distilled water but still water/feed every 8-9 days with the Better-Gro and distilled water?