Yep! Calcium everybody!!! Heheheh… even me I am needing more calcium, my arthritis is competing with my orchids and plants, 🤣🤣🤣… those plants are just so happy with the rain… I hope we get some as well… too hot here in Texas. I love eating raw tomatoes and yes I like the taste of sautéed unripe tomatoes with string beans, eggplant, squash, bitter gourd, okra, and fried fish all together (we call it “pakbet”). I love those orchids that has blooms always. The oncidium and dendrobium. My orchids bloom don’t last long. They’re suffering with too much heat. I am watering them twice a day. Anyways, thank you so much Rick for reminding us feeding our babies. Heheheh. Tomorrow is my orchids feeding day. See you on your next one!!! Enjoy your tomato sandwich. 😃
Hi Rick, what a heat wave here on the East Coast. I started at the beginning of your You Tube's starting with 6 years back, what a learning experience for a beginner, thanks for keeping them available. Hope all is good in your world, think byou often, holding you in the light ;o)
Hi Rick, glad you talked about your tomatoes! I got my tomatoes growing in my allotment and I love delicious home grown vegetables and especially tomatoes! There has been two days of nonstop rain here in UK. Your orchids look very healthy and beautiful after being rained on. Thanks for the update and happy growing 😊
Love Love LOVE the oncidium and dens! Very simple flowers/variety but I love them~ they look amazing! Thanks for the tips and advices, Rick! Thanks for sharing your time in the garden with us! 💚 Excited for mine too! One of my recent rescues (I wasn't able to upload a video from the beginning and the actual rescue but I have some clips) And I made a video that i'll upload as soon as I got my replacement plant! 🤗💚 Have a great week ahead, my friend! Wishing the best health and the best things in the world for you! 💚
I try to improve everything I do everyday and when I can communicate with an expert, like you, who responds so quickly, it’s a god-send for me. As for my first 2 Cal/mag feedings, I swear I can actually see new roots growing before my eyes. Thanks so much and I promise to keep you posted. I’ve only been growing for a few months and can’t wait to see my first flower spikes and then blooms.
Bruce I tell people all the time ....that Im very blessed......your proof of that.......keep up the great work, and keep me posted......thank you my friend.
I know you are not going to believe this, but I gave them Cal/mag on Tuesday afternoon.as you suggested. As if Mother Nature heard Rick L’s advice. This afternoon it rained hard for about 3 hours. I just checked them to dry the crown and I discovered a new leaf on 2 different plants that were not there before I CalMaged!!!!!!!! Amazing. Thanks so much.
@@brucestern1025 .......heh heh heh......I love to hear of others progress.....use calmag in tiny amounts when ever you can.....keeping calcium around them allows them to become the jungle plants they are....You will start to see crazy root growth, lots of new shoots, canes, bulbs and larger spikes when they bloom.......you will never have pest issues, new shoots dieback, bad roots, buds blast.etc...and your plants will grow grow grow......thanks Bruce .....you gave me a extra smile today!
Rick, oh boy those tomatoes are gorgeous. Wow so nice. Summer is so fleeting & home grown tomatoes are heaven. I envy you ur Alabama weather. Thank you. Your videos are positive in SO MANY different ways. Be good to yourself. Thanks again.
Hi Mr. Rick. I just wanted to thank you so much. I took your advice and put my Phal outside to get the rain water. I live in SW Florida and we do get the afternoon rain. She loves it. Amazing new root growth and a new leaf pushing up. I did start with the CalMag also at your advice and the rest of my orchids are doing unbelievable!! The growth is amazing and i’ve noticed….no bugs. Thank you so much for your videos. I’m learning so much!!! Have a wonderful 4th and WOW those tomatoes look delicious😊
The tomatoes 🍅 are beautiful. Brings back memories of my summers growing up on the our 4 generation farm. Summers planting, standing in the sun, eating tomatoes right off the vine. Then canning washtubs of tomatoes. Oh, the orchids look happy,too. I gave my orchids CalMag ,too yesterday. Got new root growth on my Potinara Orchid. It just finished growing 2 canes. Go inside and enjoy a Tomato Sandwich 🥪!
My tomatoes don’t do well this year, too cold…. I love growing and eating my homegrown vegetables, it’s the best food there is! Your orchids are enjoying life ❤ beautiful.
wow, it's a miracle! I have thought of you and the things you taught us all these years and always wondered what happened to you and how you were doing. I'm so so happy to see you back telling us about your garden!
Great video Rick! Your orchids are beautiful. I enjoy hearing all your info. Thanks for sharing. So happy that you and Miss Jan are doing well. Best to you both ❤️
Hey Rick! Happy Tuesday! I tried with your video last night and fell asleep! Your voice is so soothing. Work kicked my behind! But ohhhhhh, I love the orchids. Mine are on my sill blooming like crazy! Branching and being gorgeous! I’m very very blessed to have u as an advisor and teacher! Happy growing
Thank you for your recommendations, I didn’t know calcium and magnesium can be applied often, no wonder some of my phals don’t do well cause of the roots rotten, probably due to the need of nutrients and calcium…I will follow your advice
Nothing better like beautiful summer rain, that precious humidity followed by the warmth 😊 And those tomatoes look very tender and juicy. Just lovely ❤❤❤❤
Rick, thanks so much for your continued sharing of all your invaluable years of orchid growing experience. Love seeing all the super healthy plants and why they look so good. Much appreciated. I also appreciate that you are a structural engineer!. It shows so well in you orchid "house" on wheels. That's a lot of wood and very solid construction, sir. Probably hurricane proof as well! 😆 Sure do miss having my okra growing as nice as yours now that I'm living in the Pacific Northwest from NC. Blessings to you.
I just love your videos and all your tips and taking care of these beautiful orchids. Your garden is beautiful! Home grown tomatoes are the best! Thank you again.
I want to thank you for pushing calcium and Paula from Hillbilly Orchids as well. I am recently applying it. Once I ordered it I applied it ASAP! I did a Tik Tok video on black rot, but your information is on another level! Thanks for sharing with us some of your knowledge. 👏👏👏🌷🌞🌷🥰 By the way, your tomatoes look so yummy! 😋
@@rickl.orchids I uploaded it already and did mention the importance of adding it. Next time I will let them know it will make their orchids turn into jungle plants, lol as you mentioned! Thank you! 🥰🌷👏
Orchid Chorus: We're Singing in the rain! We're singing in the rain! What a glorious feeling, we're growing again! 🥳🤣 I am the rain here... nothing from mother nature where I am at! Been super busy keeping the micro climate around my orchids to a level that they can handle. Those tomatoes are making me hungry and I know what I am having as a pre bed time snack 😋 have a wonderful evening with your camera lady, when you get there, and buen provecho with the tomato sandwich! 🫶🏼
Thanks for sharing. I miss growing tomatoes, the conditions here are just to much for them. I have tried, in pots, in the ground. The heart of summer and even with 70% shade cloth, they burn and dehydrate in no time. We have watering restrictions on our yards. only 2 mins a day 3 times a week if you have reticulated watering. You can hand water with a hose for I think 8 mins. When the rains come its to cold.. we are at 45F and rain..I am trying to get water collection going. So, my gardens outside are native plants. and even those are VERY HARD to get rooted in...have to plant those in very late summer and hope they survive the cold of winter, If they do...70% chance they make it to next winter. After that winter, if they survive...they are good. Except for grevilleas, those I think could withstand Nuclear blast directly onto them. And, please ENJOY that fried green tomato sandwich ( for me)....something I have not had in 11 years as I can't find green tomatoes for sale. Perhaps film the making of said sandwich...please.... I'd be ever so grateful. I'm now going to get myself a tomato and mayo sandwich. Enjoy
heh heh heh......I sure will enjoy my tomato sandwhich, made in your honor...thank you Julie.....Your outside growing and watering is brutal....I had no idea of the enviromental conditions and restrictions you guys face......wow
I really like that slat house. I'd live to make something similar for my deck. Can you please do maybe a quick tutorial on how to do it, or just give some dimensions. Thank you for the great videos and I'm glad to see you're feeling better. Stay well....
Hi Rick. What an amazing garden you have. Those tomatoes sure looked yummy. The orchids are so beautiful, healthy, and sure are thriving in your care. We did finally get some rain. Love your video’s. Blessings and have a nice fourth of July 🇺🇸. ❤
Always a great day ☺️☔☺️ when a video pops up from you! Btw...I love all the harping you do on calcium. 👍 Hope you enjoyed your 😋 tomato 🍅 sandwich. Blessings 😇 Sharon in the high desert of Arizona 🎋🌵🎋
Thank you Mr. Rick for another awesome video! Rain! Gorgeous cleansing oxygenating hydrating pest-removing pH balancing glorious rain! Your orchids look soooo good 🥰 Calcium! Just sprinkled some on everything today. And just put an icu orchid (thrips survivor) that has beautiful blooms, into lava rock. It’s in a clay pot for now, If anything will work its this.. Didn’t know lava rock doesn’t have evaporative cooling affect until recently..so I bought some to have on hand. The roots I was able to coax out with water culture seem right at home.. I’m excited of the nutrition potential.. ought to turn right around…unless the dragons blood didn’t dry out all the rot. Looks good 2 days after putting into gravel. It’s so stable.. Blessings on you and your family..🌸🌿😁
......Thank you my friend....I loved your rain description......beautiful......I bet that orchids starts growing roots soon......let me know if ever I can help.
@@rickl.orchids You are always helping.. and would you be surprised to know a big fat visible root tip has red in it since yesterday? I think not.. 💥⚡️✨ Watching your channel got me to figuring out how to light up those root tips. What a fantastic community of Orchid People this is ☺️ Thank you ever so much for your generosity and great heart ♥️ Have a super nice day Rick.. -Bett
Hey Brother yep i did give my new plant straight up calmag soak for that black rot! I do want you to pay attention to this weekend videos! Im going to do something to shock you! You'll be proud of me! Well I know your already proud of me but this is a step further! 😂 oh yea love toast and tomato sandwiches from the garden! Have a happy 4th you and Jan! Hugs from West Virginia!
Great podcast ... love all the advice ! Question: if I mix up a batch of fertilizer and seaweed into the pump sprayer ... do I need to mix up a fresh batch ... or is what's left in the sprayer still good for next week? Thank you ever so much ... and all the very best of God's Blessings to you and all your loved ones ❤
...Thank you for the kind words.....as long as its not developing an bad odor......or getting slimey, changing colors........I would use it......Seaweed can have a fishy smell ....but im talkng about something different.
.......thank you Michael.......no I dont have any formal education in biology, plants etc........Im a structural engineer, and built hospitals/ and other medical facilities for a living......I love plants and have always grow something....mostly house plants, and some vegetables.... ..A few years back, I worked with a hydroponic growing group for several years.... it really fascinated me, and peaked my interest in not just growing hydroponically,.... but in nutrients and how they are used by plants... I learned a lot from them.... .I am a voracious reader and love reading research papers on anything......that led me to commercial orchid growing and ......to were I am today
🍅🍅🍅! Well done 👍🏻😍. Nothing better than homegrown vegetables 😋. Do you feed your tomato 🌱with CalMag? 😊 Enjoyed seeing all your orchids 🌱growing beautifully. Thank you for sharing 🤗🦋🌸
Hey Rick! Love those tomatoes!! I have a question. Is there a minimum temperature that an orchid would need to be in to not have rot set in if you wet the growths and leaves. We do not have the temps that you have. The plants would not dry out as fast as yours . Does this make a difference. I know calcium matters as well. Thank you for repeating the calcium message!! It makes a difference! I hope you and Jan have a wonderful weekend!!
.......thank you and thats a great question......most orchids prefer 60* or higher......below 60* they will struggle and most growth slows down.....there are some orchids that can go lower than that with out much issues, but 60* seems to be the cut off point.. ...temps from 60* -65* for prolong periods and orchids will start to show issues.
Every bug and critter in my grow room is brought in by me ! every time I go to the forest or do garden stuff. Because of the weather I can't put them outside and indoor spraying is taboo because I have a closed environment. What comes in (heat and moist) doesn't leave.
Hello again, Mr. Rick, I use MSU for my orchids. Is it safe to use extra Cal Mag with it? I had a very nice chitty chat with Hillbilly orchid lady. The 2 of us have something in common. Autoimmune Disorders. I also have chronic pain. My orchid hobby is the best thing ive ever done for myself. Growing in pebbles and lava rock is just the right setup for me. I don't have to worry about bark breaking down. Repotting takes a lot of my energy, but i enjoy it so much. Ive learned to pace myself.
Good morning Remae...Im so sorry to hear of your struggles....I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts.....Paula is such a sweet, kind, person,....and she genuinely cares about helping others grow orchids.......Its just my opinion but,... growing orchids in inert media is easier than in bark and moss.......a lot less pests, rot, ph problems, much less issues to deal with, and you have more control of the growing process... ...I agree so much.....pace yourself. Buy orchids that you really want ......dont buy everyone you see.....as for the calmag........yes you can add it to your MSU.....I would also add it to your flushing water......you dont need to add a lot.....just 8-10 drops in 1/2 gallon water......its plenty and gives them trace amounts of calcium all the time......Please let me know if ever I can help you with your orchids.........Rick
@@rickl.orchidsYes! Thank you. I added CalMag to the MSU when I fed my orchids today. I am really doing better with my Sjogrens. Im in sort of a remission now. I got my inflammation down and my Rheumatologist took me off the immunosuppressant. I still have my days and I have degenerative joint disease but, I put my back brace on and I'm good for awhile. Another question ❓ I got a Corona Green Genie in the mail yesterday. I hear that bifoliar Cattleya are a little fussy when it comes to repotting. I soaked her in CalMag and Seaweed when I unpacked her. I have left it in the Spagnum moss she is in, waiting until I see new roots before I repot. Is that what you do? I also think I see a bloom forming. Will it abort due to stress or do you think it will continue to develope. Thank you for the great advice.
@@remaeburney832 ......Im so very happy your doing better, keep fighting and do what ever you can to continue with good health......When I get a new plant, I repot it with in a few days......I dont wait for roots to appear or hold off for blooms etc......Most of the orchids are usually in bad media and thier roots are not the best.....they are about as stressed as they can already be........so getting them into fresh media and settled in so I can start feeding them correctly is better in my opinion......Everyone grows differently.....and should follow the method that they are most comfortable with.....thank you my friend.
Thank you! In fact , the last orchid I got was a NOID Phal. I broke my protocol and repotted it because it was in that awful sponge plug. I was so scared that I watched her like I watched my human children. This morning, I saw that the last bloom had fallen, I see tiny new roots and a leaf forming. She stayed in bloom from December until today, July! So, will do. I will repot the Cattleya later today. You're the best! Don't tell the other UA-cam or hid growers. 😂🤫@@rickl.orchids
Yep, I got some black rot. But I don't think it has anything to do with the nutrients. I think it was that stale water I found at the bottom of the decorative pot. Your plants are looking fantastic as ever though.
Hi Rick, I'm glad to hear you folks had some rain. Here in Kentucky, we only had two light rains in June for the entire month. It's going to spoil July 4th plans, but it looks like we might get rain on the 4th and 5th (fingers crossed). Your video was very informative. I think part of my problem with orchid failure is not using any Cal-Mag. I just use MSU slow release and MSU H2O mix. Once a month, I use a liquid seaweed/fish fertilizer. I also just started using only distilled water instead of tap. I have two vanda orchids that I grow outside over the summer, but the other 40 orchids of mine I grow indoors all year. One vanda bloomed for me last summer. In the past all the cattleyas or dendrobiums that I put outside under a shade tree in the summer turned black, rotted and died. I might try again and put one cattleya outside once I buy some Cal-Mag. Thanks again for the great guidance and take care, James
........I hope you get your needed rain but still have a great 4th....MSU is a wonderful product, excellent orchid nutrient mix,... but it still needs some additional calcium ...most orchid fertilizers do.... ..Kelp/seaweed supplements are not the same thing as organic fish fertlizers......Orchids dont do well with organic fertlizers.....they tend to collect and cause issues in the media.....and the best thing you mentioned was the distilled water........tap will work, but over time orchids struggle and never seem to grow correctly.......Lots of anti foaming agents, sodium, chlorine, and other things in tap water....even good tap water.
@@rickl.orchids Good afternoon Rick, I just purchased a brand of Cal-Mag from Fox Farm, Bush Doctor which is 1-0-0-. I mix 1 tsp. per gallon of water. How often do you think that I should give this to my indoor orchids and my two outdoor vandas. Thanks, James
@@JamesBrown-i2e ......James thats a great question, I love the Fox Farm products....they make some great stuff. That Bush Doctor Calmag 1-0-0 is a favorite of mine... ...I'm not sure what fertilizer your using.....check the label and see what % of calcium and % of Nitrogen it contains......I like my calcium and nitrogen to be close to the same %....I would give it to your plants at least every week.....with Vanda's, I would add it to the water every time I sprayed or soaked them.....the rain should be the only time they get water with out calcium in it....they seem to do much better with a good calcium feed.......let me know how they do........great question and great choice for Calmag supplement.
@@rickl.orchids Good morning Rick. Thanks for the advice. We are actually forecast for much needed rain this evening and the next two days. I will start using the Calmag along with my weekly weekly MSU fertilizer and hopefully get some root growing started. Have a happy 4th of July! James
@@JamesBrown-i2e .....MSU is another great mix......but still needs a bit of calcium in my opinion........you will most definitely see some vigorous root growth over the next few weeks.....Have a great 4th as well.....
That Dendrobium is more likely to be Regina Beauty (often mislabeled as Regina Busse out of Hawaii), although I'd have to see it in person to be more certain. But that is the most common red out of Hawaii.
.......its not only great that your flushing....the roots will grow so much better.....but giving them some calcium as well will really make them happy.....excellent!
So happy I found your videos, will be viewing them all. I am a new orchid lover with 8 cattleya orchids seedlings in Ontario. Have had them for 1 year, no . What is better a ph pen or other type with 2 spikes? Do they work on their own or do you need to buy extra items? Can’t believe my orchid food does not contain any calcium. I’ve seen that the calmag has other minerals included. Is plain calmag better? Not sure I saw it plain. I have so much to learn about growing orchids inside an outdoors. I need to find some soon as I don’t see an abundance of roots thru the clear pots. Thankyou for your help.
Welcome Shirley......great questions......get a cheap ph pen........once you check your ph and its ok......you wont need to check it all the time.....Most PH pens come precalibrated.....so no extra items needed.......If your ph is high or low.......you may need to check it occasionally.....and then you will need some calibration agent.......Calmag has calcium, magnesium, and a trace of iron in it.....most calcium supplements are close to the same.......Thats what I use Calmag.....give them 10-12 drops in 1/2 gallon of very good water.....use that to flush your orchids with......and you can use that water to add your nutrients to as well......the orchids will do the rest......Let me know if I can answer any other questions.....
Rick, I absolutely love your garden! I will definitely take the calcium advice! I think the label says 1/2 tsp per gallon. Would you say that’s enough? Is twice a week enough for this weather? We have similar weather in Miami. Also I add a pinch of Epson salt. Would you think that’s ok? Together with the CalMag?
Good morning, and thank you Melissa....with your enviorment and so much rain all the time,... I would spray them after any good rain, or if your flushing them...1/2tsp per gallon is fine.....There is plenty of magnesium in the calmag......and your fertilizer mix should also contain some magnesium.......I only add Epson salts ..if I notice an issue......I hope I can get my collection to look as nice as yours does someday......keep up the great work.
Those are certainly beautiful healthy tomatos! What variety are they? How often do you fertilize them? One thing I have noticed about your orchids is that there is absolutely no sign of disease or yellowing of the leaves. I've never seen perfect orchids like this on any of the other channels that I follow. You must be doing something right, huh? :)
.....thank you my friend....The Tomatoe's are "Red Snapper:" from Hoss Seed......I gave them some used orchid mix...left over from soaking my plants......when they were planted in the garden....and again at 3' tall....nothing since except calmag to keep blossom end rot away.......The orchids get fed every 5-6 days with lots of calcium.....makes such a difference in thier overall health.....makes them very tough....
@@rickl.orchids Thank you for the quick response! I have never heard of the "Red Snapper" variety before! It's very difficult for me to grow tomatos where I live because of the lack of sun, unfortunately. I hope you are doing well and always look forward to your new videos! :)
Hi, Rick! We texted about the PH of my water here in the central Florida gulf, and you gave some great suggestions. I really appreciated it. I have another question relating to Cal/Mag and my climate. All my orchids live outdoors in summer. I understand the importance of Cal/Mag, but when it rains every day, thereby flushing all my orchids, do I refertilize every day? Rains are usually over by mid evening, so I could do it. I sometimes hesitate to fertilize when the orchids won't dry off thoroughly before night. What do you recommend? I'm glad you and your wife are doing better, by the way! Thanks in advance for your thoughts
......thank you for the kind words......and Iove the questions you ask...A good grower doesnt just ask what to do or use......they want to know why and the reasoning behind it......Your thoughts on the rain flushing and feeding frequency is great... .On my orchids, that are outside.....if they get rained on....I spray them with calmag....and I also just started putting dolomitic lime on them to keep another source of calcium and magnesium around them and keep me from spraying calmag so often.....As for feeding them.....wet roots or dry.... if they can benefit from a feeding,.... I feed them.....I keep track of my feedings in a small notebook.....it helps to give a bigger picture of thier fertilizing routine.. ....some examples....If it rains and I feed them.......and it rains again.....I wont re-feed automatically.....I ll let them get rained on a few times and then feed again.....if they are getting rained on daily ....I would make sure and spray them with calmag 2x a week......Rain will move around nutrients still in the pots and media and allow the orchids to feed again......In the wild attached to a tree.....an orchid gets food everytime it would rain......and it would always contain some calcium....as long as Im feeding calcium to them.... I dont worry about them not drying out in between feedings....I hope I help a little at least......great questions.......
@@rickl.orchids Thank you so much! You gave me the info I needed so succinctly. I will grab some dolomitic lime to help with needing feeding so often, and follow your other suggestions. I also track all my feedings and nutrients used. So far with the PH adjustments and the more frequent Cal/Mag, they are looking so much better
I've followed your ratios of nutrients in your fertilizer mixture 1. Ratio of N to Ca 1:1 min, better +10-20% 2. Ratio Ca to Mg 2:1 Any other ratios you use?? I'm using your latest Jack's A & B mixture plus a touch of seaweed. Asking the Big Guy to watch over you & Jan
.......thank you for the kindness......I love the Jacks A&B nutrients.......I use them 1:1.....for example....80ppm of Calcium Nitrate with 80ppm of 5-12-26....I will add about 30ppm of Magnesium once a month......or if I see an issue....I love adding seaweed to the mix.....great growth hormones as well as some additional Potassium.....Keep up the great work.......and keep me posted on your how your orchids are doing.........
Good morning Bruce.......great question....Charcoal, helps with odors, bacteria, absorbs excess salts, helps with drainage,......but as quickly as it absorbs excess salts it also holds on to them......and it can be hard to flush clean....
@@rickl.orchids Good question, great answer. I’ve started on the dilute Cal/Mag treatment you suggested. It’s only been a week and there’s root nubins coming from everywhere. I’ll continue to keep you posted. Have a great day.
@@brucestern1025 ......Bruce, thank you..... I love hearing feedback......I tell growers often ....the calcium isnt a miracle nutrient......it doesnt make them grow.....it allows them to grow......Please keep me posted with your orchids progress........Rick
......a great question.......Im not right now....they are young, most are newly repotted, and even thought they are growing well.....the roots havent filled the pots yet......as more roots collect, and fill the pots I will start adding some dolomitic lime to thier pots....The lime gets washed out some everytime they get flushed or rained on.....as the roots fill the pots it will stay put better.....hope that makes sense,........meanwhile Im giving them extra calmag.....
Rick, I’ve got a hypothetical for you; I just fertilized my orchids. The weatherman says it’s going to rain for the next 72 hours! How long AFTER I fertilize should I wait to put my plants out in the rain to get flushed, in order for them to have receive the maximum benefit from the fertilizer absorption?
.....You ask the best questions Bruce.....wait 48 hrs and catch the tail end of the rainfall....a nice steady rainfall.....will flush them well in 3-4 hrs ......They will feed for 48 hrs and then when they get rained on....they will feed again and get flushed as well......
Rick, my good questions don’t even compare to your FANTASTIC answers!!! I had trouble phrasing the question, but now you’ve given me the “sweet” spot for nutrient absorption. And, as it turns out, the weatherman is going to cooperate this week! I can’t thank you enough. I come to you for all my fertilizer questions. Plus I want you to know that, because of your previous answers,I’ve now started a Cal/mag routine. Thanks again.
@@brucestern1025 .....your too kind Bruce....thank you......Growers that ask questions show they want to know more and be better growers.....I love that.....One of the best things you can do for your orchids is to give them calcium on a regular basis.......please keep me posted with thier progress......
Morning, Rick, am in process of transferring my phals to lava rock… FINALLY! already the 3 that I transferred are showing new surface roots. My question is , any recommendations of where to get lava rock? Am running out & the sites I look at say their lava rock is for grills & I am a bit dubious to order this as to its safety with plants. (the vendor I bought from previously now does not carry the large lava rock which is what I thought was best) Bc your plants look like you use the large lava rock. I need to buy it on line for delivery as I am not getting out yet post knee replacement. Thanks.
.......Georgia....I will keep you in my prayers for a quick recovery....I get my lava rock from Home Depot or Lowes.......its used for landscaping. drainage and for BBQ grills, fire pits.......around $8.98 a 40lb bag.....it has small to large pieces in it......I use it all,....big pieces go in bottom of pots and smaller ones around it.....they grow on all of it....please keep me posted on your plants progress..... ..FYI.....I had my left shoulder replaced 10+ yrs ago.....I love it, ....no pain, no soreness, and its stronger than the original one....do your therapy and when they tell you to walk or move.....do it.....
Hey I got a strange question my phalaenopsis ohl flame(gigantea hybrid) smells like ants like the plant itself but it doesn’t have any ants since it’s hanging and this has never happened before. she does have some deficiencies that I’m working on getting back to normal but that wouldn’t cause the smell right?
......that is a interesting question........it could be the media your picking up on....or some form of decay from roots.....you may want to check out whats in the pot
It turned out it was a bacterial infection in the new leaf but everything else was fine a lot of new roots i never saw before so i just ended up cutting the whole new leaf for safety
And you need to keep talking about calcium, my friend. I know people hear the words you're saying. But when they turn around and talk about how they don't need it for this reason or that. It just proves to me that they hear you, but don't get it. I'm not gonna embarrass anybody, but I know a channel that has literally talked down about yours. But they have pest issues, you don't. And I don't think it's just because they don't shower their plans. I think it's probably a good thing they don't. will getting rained on won't harm a healthy plant. I do worry what it might do to a not so healthy plant. I think pets leave your plants alone because they're so healthy. They don't want to work so hard. And the rain is just gonna wash a healthy plant. It's not gonna bruise it or knock it down. In short, plants love rain. Maybe it's not a real great thing for a not so healthy plant, though. Just my two cents.
....thank you Victor.......Im not concerned about channels that promote and push negativity......and I let my plants speak for themselves....but you are correct.....rain on a weak or sick plant wont help it......Have a great 4th my friend.
Thanks for announcing the date and day at the start of your video. It helps do much in following you.
Rick love your videos thank you
thank you Marilyn....
Yep! Calcium everybody!!! Heheheh… even me I am needing more calcium, my arthritis is competing with my orchids and plants, 🤣🤣🤣… those plants are just so happy with the rain… I hope we get some as well… too hot here in Texas. I love eating raw tomatoes and yes I like the taste of sautéed unripe tomatoes with string beans, eggplant, squash, bitter gourd, okra, and fried fish all together (we call it “pakbet”).
I love those orchids that has blooms always. The oncidium and dendrobium. My orchids bloom don’t last long. They’re suffering with too much heat. I am watering them twice a day. Anyways, thank you so much Rick for reminding us feeding our babies. Heheheh. Tomorrow is my orchids feeding day. See you on your next one!!! Enjoy your tomato sandwich. 😃
......Thanks Leah.....I love feeding my orchids.....have a great week.
Oh man, Orchids and fried green tomatoes! Two of my favorite things. ❤
.......I agree......thank you
I knew that you would grow hoyas like a champ…
thank you......I have 2 right now.....both are in bloom.
Hi Rick, what a heat wave here on the East Coast. I started at the beginning of your You Tube's starting with 6 years back, what a learning experience for a beginner, thanks for keeping them available. Hope all is good in your world, think byou often, holding you in the light ;o)
very kind words.....thank you so very much.
Hi Rick, glad you talked about your tomatoes! I got my tomatoes growing in my allotment and I love delicious home grown vegetables and especially tomatoes! There has been two days of nonstop rain here in UK. Your orchids look very healthy and beautiful after being rained on. Thanks for the update and happy growing 😊
thank you Mary......I hope you get to enjoy many tomatoes this season......would love to see them.
Love Love LOVE the oncidium and dens! Very simple flowers/variety but I love them~ they look amazing! Thanks for the tips and advices, Rick! Thanks for sharing your time in the garden with us! 💚 Excited for mine too! One of my recent rescues (I wasn't able to upload a video from the beginning and the actual rescue but I have some clips) And I made a video that i'll upload as soon as I got my replacement plant! 🤗💚 Have a great week ahead, my friend! Wishing the best health and the best things in the world for you! 💚
.....such kind words my friend thank you so much....I look forward to all your videos.
I try to improve everything I do everyday and when I can communicate with an expert, like you, who responds so quickly, it’s a god-send for me.
As for my first 2 Cal/mag feedings, I swear I can actually see new roots growing before my eyes. Thanks so much and I promise to keep you posted. I’ve only been growing for a few months and can’t wait to see my first flower spikes and then blooms.
Bruce I tell people all the time ....that Im very blessed......your proof of that.......keep up the great work, and keep me posted......thank you my friend.
I know you are not going to believe this, but I gave them Cal/mag on Tuesday afternoon.as you suggested. As if Mother Nature heard Rick L’s advice. This afternoon it rained hard for about 3 hours. I just checked them to dry the crown and I discovered a new leaf on 2 different plants that were not there before I CalMaged!!!!!!!!
Amazing. Thanks so much.
@@brucestern1025 .......heh heh heh......I love to hear of others progress.....use calmag in tiny amounts when ever you can.....keeping calcium around them allows them to become the jungle plants they are....You will start to see crazy root growth, lots of new shoots, canes, bulbs and larger spikes when they bloom.......you will never have pest issues, new shoots dieback, bad roots, buds blast.etc...and your plants will grow grow grow......thanks Bruce .....you gave me a extra smile today!
Rick, oh boy those tomatoes are gorgeous. Wow so nice. Summer is so fleeting & home grown tomatoes are heaven.
I envy you ur Alabama weather.
Thank you. Your videos are positive in SO MANY different ways.
Be good to yourself.
Thanks again.
they are delicious Georgia.....thank you so much.
Hi Mr. Rick. I just wanted to thank you so much. I took your advice and put my Phal outside to get the rain water. I live in SW Florida and we do get the afternoon rain. She loves it. Amazing new root growth and a new leaf pushing up. I did start with the CalMag also at your advice and the rest of my orchids are doing unbelievable!! The growth is amazing and i’ve noticed….no bugs. Thank you so much for your videos. I’m learning so much!!! Have a wonderful 4th and WOW those tomatoes look delicious😊
wonderful to hear Gloria.....keep that calmag up and they will turn into jungle plants for you......I love hearing of others success......
First I want to come eat at your house 😂 but second I learned a lot more about nutrients for orchids today! Thank you 🙏 💚
thank you Christie.......I enjoyed your video today....you have some beautiful plants....Have a great weekend.
@@rickl.orchids thank you - that means a lot. I’ll be making more soon.
The tomatoes 🍅 are beautiful. Brings back memories of my summers growing up on the our 4 generation farm. Summers planting, standing in the sun, eating tomatoes right off the vine. Then canning washtubs of tomatoes.
Oh, the orchids look happy,too. I gave my orchids CalMag ,too yesterday. Got new root growth on my Potinara Orchid. It just finished growing 2 canes. Go inside and enjoy a Tomato Sandwich 🥪!
Thank you .......love those memories.....and your orchids will thank you for the calmag.......great work.
My tomatoes don’t do well this year, too cold…. I love growing and eating my homegrown vegetables, it’s the best food there is! Your orchids are enjoying life ❤ beautiful.
thanks EJ.....we grow alot of our own vegetables......thier the best.
Rick: a tutorial on your shade house would be great, particularly the framing joints and fasteners
Ill see what I can do.....thank you so much.
Will do, Rick.
As always you are a fount of knowledge.
wow, it's a miracle! I have thought of you and the things you taught us all these years and always wondered what happened to you and how you were doing. I'm so so happy to see you back telling us about your garden!
PS- you sound GREAT!
thank you so much for the kind words......
Nothing better than a tomato sandwich! Hope you have a wonderful day🎉😊
......your so right.....it was so good.......thank you.
Another great video. I absolutely love the orchid shade hut!!! Hope I can get hubby to build me one. Best wishes to you and family
thank you so much Debbie.......have a great 4th.
Great video Rick! Your orchids are beautiful. I enjoy hearing all your info. Thanks for sharing. So happy that you and Miss Jan are doing well. Best to you both ❤️
Thank you.....
Hey Rick! Happy Tuesday! I tried with your video last night and fell asleep! Your voice is so soothing. Work kicked my behind! But ohhhhhh, I love the orchids. Mine are on my sill blooming like crazy! Branching and being gorgeous! I’m very very blessed to have u as an advisor and teacher! Happy growing
awww....thank you so much.....have a great 4th my friend and keep up the great work.
Thank you for your recommendations, I didn’t know calcium and magnesium can be applied often, no wonder some of my phals don’t do well cause of the roots rotten, probably due to the need of nutrients and calcium…I will follow your advice
Nothing better like beautiful summer rain, that precious humidity followed by the warmth 😊 And those tomatoes look very tender and juicy. Just lovely ❤❤❤❤
Thank you Fernanda...
Rick, thanks so much for your continued sharing of all your invaluable years of orchid growing experience. Love seeing all the super healthy plants and why they look so good. Much appreciated. I also appreciate that you are a structural engineer!. It shows so well in you orchid "house" on wheels. That's a lot of wood and very solid construction, sir. Probably hurricane proof as well! 😆 Sure do miss having my okra growing as nice as yours now that I'm living in the Pacific Northwest from NC. Blessings to you.
.....Thank you Rick.....I appreciate the kind words.
Mr Rick and mis Jen glad to see you God bless
.....blessings back my friend.
Thank for the tips. Your is looking very healthy and beautiful 🤩
thank you......
Thanks for sharing your educational video,I always look forward for one. Orchids are beautiful as always.Stay bless
thank you...
You are the best!!
.......so very kind thank you.
Thank you Rick for your knowledge
thank you for watching.......
I just love your videos and all your tips and taking care of these beautiful orchids. Your garden is beautiful! Home grown tomatoes are the best! Thank you again.
......such kind words.....thank you so much.
I want to thank you for pushing calcium and Paula from Hillbilly Orchids as well. I am recently applying it. Once I ordered it I applied it ASAP! I did a Tik Tok video on black rot, but your information is on another level! Thanks for sharing with us some of your knowledge. 👏👏👏🌷🌞🌷🥰 By the way, your tomatoes look so yummy! 😋
thank you.....tell your Tik Tok friends to give calcium to thier orchids.....turns them into jungle plants.
@@rickl.orchids I uploaded it already and did mention the importance of adding it. Next time I will let them know it will make their orchids turn into jungle plants, lol as you mentioned! Thank you! 🥰🌷👏
Orchid Chorus: We're Singing in the rain! We're singing in the rain! What a glorious feeling, we're growing again! 🥳🤣 I am the rain here... nothing from mother nature where I am at! Been super busy keeping the micro climate around my orchids to a level that they can handle. Those tomatoes are making me hungry and I know what I am having as a pre bed time snack 😋 have a wonderful evening with your camera lady, when you get there, and buen provecho with the tomato sandwich! 🫶🏼
Thanks Nina......
Thanks for sharing. I miss growing tomatoes, the conditions here are just to much for them. I have tried, in pots, in the ground. The heart of summer and even with 70% shade cloth, they burn and dehydrate in no time. We have watering restrictions on our yards. only 2 mins a day 3 times a week if you have reticulated watering. You can hand water with a hose for I think 8 mins. When the rains come its to cold.. we are at 45F and rain..I am trying to get water collection going. So, my gardens outside are native plants. and even those are VERY HARD to get rooted in...have to plant those in very late summer and hope they survive the cold of winter, If they do...70% chance they make it to next winter. After that winter, if they survive...they are good. Except for grevilleas, those I think could withstand Nuclear blast directly onto them.
And, please ENJOY that fried green tomato sandwich ( for me)....something I have not had in 11 years as I can't find green tomatoes for sale. Perhaps film the making of said sandwich...please.... I'd be ever so grateful. I'm now going to get myself a tomato and mayo sandwich. Enjoy
heh heh heh......I sure will enjoy my tomato sandwhich, made in your honor...thank you Julie.....Your outside growing and watering is brutal....I had no idea of the enviromental conditions and restrictions you guys face......wow
Great video as always! Thank you 💚
thank you Roxy.....
I really like that slat house. I'd live to make something similar for my deck. Can you please do maybe a quick tutorial on how to do it, or just give some dimensions. Thank you for the great videos and I'm glad to see you're feeling better. Stay well....
........Thank you......this one has better information.....ua-cam.com/video/TxwYHS7NEDs/v-deo.html
@@rickl.orchids Thank you. I didn't realize it was on sheels. I think I see a project coming this fall! Stay well.
@@rickl.orchidsoooh thanks for this link!!!
Rick: It looked ks like the frame of your shade house is 2 x 4.? And the lath work is furring strips?
@@c.b.oliver4714 yes......its basically a 2x4 shelf unit with furring strips around it.....wheels underneath........
Hi Rick. What an amazing garden you have. Those tomatoes sure looked yummy. The orchids are so beautiful, healthy, and sure are thriving in your care. We did finally get some rain. Love your video’s. Blessings and have a nice fourth of July 🇺🇸. ❤
thank you Shirley......blessings as well, and have a wonderful holiday.
Always a great day ☺️☔☺️ when a video pops up from you! Btw...I love all the harping you do on calcium. 👍 Hope you enjoyed your 😋 tomato 🍅 sandwich. Blessings 😇 Sharon in the high desert of Arizona 🎋🌵🎋
........thank you my friend.....I did and it was great!
Thank you Mr. Rick for another awesome video! Rain! Gorgeous cleansing oxygenating hydrating pest-removing pH balancing glorious rain! Your orchids look soooo good 🥰 Calcium! Just sprinkled some on everything today. And just put an icu orchid (thrips survivor) that has beautiful blooms, into lava rock. It’s in a clay pot for now, If anything will work its this.. Didn’t know lava rock doesn’t have evaporative cooling affect until recently..so I bought some to have on hand. The roots I was able to coax out with water culture seem right at home.. I’m excited of the nutrition potential.. ought to turn right around…unless the dragons blood didn’t dry out all the rot. Looks good 2 days after putting into gravel. It’s so stable.. Blessings on you and your family..🌸🌿😁
......Thank you my friend....I loved your rain description......beautiful......I bet that orchids starts growing roots soon......let me know if ever I can help.
@@rickl.orchids 😊
@@rickl.orchids You are always helping.. and would you be surprised to know a big fat visible root tip has red in it since yesterday? I think not.. 💥⚡️✨ Watching your channel got me to figuring out how to light up those root tips. What a fantastic community of Orchid People this is ☺️ Thank you ever so much for your generosity and great heart ♥️ Have a super nice day Rick.. -Bett
@@bettedaviseyes8563 ........Thanks Bett......have a great 4th.
Thanks Rick. Have had tons of rain & my orchids are outside for the summer. They will get cal mag tomorrow morning.
.......you will notice such a diffence between now and this fall.
🇺🇸 Happy Fourth of July Rick & Jan 🇺🇸
Hey Brother yep i did give my new plant straight up calmag soak for that black rot! I do want you to pay attention to this weekend videos! Im going to do something to shock you! You'll be proud of me! Well I know your already proud of me but this is a step further! 😂 oh yea love toast and tomato sandwiches from the garden! Have a happy 4th you and Jan! Hugs from West Virginia!
.......look forward to seeing what your up to.....Have a great 4th as well.....be safe.
Great podcast ... love all the advice ! Question: if I mix up a batch of fertilizer and seaweed into the pump sprayer ... do I need to mix up a fresh batch ... or is what's left in the sprayer still good for next week? Thank you ever so much ... and all the very best of God's Blessings to you and all your loved ones ❤
...Thank you for the kind words.....as long as its not developing an bad odor......or getting slimey, changing colors........I would use it......Seaweed can have a fishy smell ....but im talkng about something different.
You are really knowledgeable about plant nutrients and physiology. What is your background? Did you go to school for any of those subjects?
.......thank you Michael.......no I dont have any formal education in biology, plants etc........Im a structural engineer, and built hospitals/ and other medical facilities for a living......I love plants and have always grow something....mostly house plants, and some vegetables....
..A few years back, I worked with a hydroponic growing group for several years.... it really fascinated me, and peaked my interest in not just growing hydroponically,.... but in nutrients and how they are used by plants... I learned a lot from them.... .I am a voracious reader and love reading research papers on anything......that led me to commercial orchid growing and ......to were I am today
🍅🍅🍅! Well done 👍🏻😍. Nothing better than homegrown vegetables 😋.
Do you feed your tomato 🌱with CalMag? 😊
Enjoyed seeing all your orchids 🌱growing beautifully. Thank you for sharing 🤗🦋🌸
......thank you.....and Yes I do feed them with calmag........helps stop blossom end rot.....and keeps them pest resistant....
@@rickl.orchids ❤
@@rickl.orchids Thanks 👍
Nothing better than a home grown tomato.
.......they are delicious, and we are enjoying them while we can.
Hey Rick! Love those tomatoes!!
I have a question. Is there a minimum temperature that an orchid would need to be in to not have rot set in if you wet the growths and leaves. We do not have the temps that you have. The plants would not dry out as fast as yours . Does this make a difference. I know calcium matters as well. Thank you for repeating the calcium message!! It makes a difference!
I hope you and Jan have a wonderful weekend!!
.......thank you and thats a great question......most orchids prefer 60* or higher......below 60* they will struggle and most growth slows down.....there are some orchids that can go lower than that with out much issues, but 60* seems to be the cut off point..
...temps from 60* -65* for prolong periods and orchids will start to show issues.
Every bug and critter in my grow room is brought in by me ! every time I go to the forest or do garden stuff. Because of the weather I can't put them outside and indoor spraying is taboo because I have a closed environment. What comes in (heat and moist) doesn't leave.
.....thats how most pest issues get started......brought in by the grower or another plant with hitchhikers....
@@rickl.orchids 😁
Hello again,
Mr. Rick, I use MSU for my orchids. Is it safe to use extra Cal Mag with it?
I had a very nice chitty chat with Hillbilly orchid lady. The 2 of us have something in common. Autoimmune Disorders. I also have chronic pain. My orchid hobby is the best thing ive ever done for myself. Growing in pebbles and lava rock is just the right setup for me. I don't have to worry about bark breaking down. Repotting takes a lot of my energy, but i enjoy it so much. Ive learned to pace myself.
Good morning Remae...Im so sorry to hear of your struggles....I will keep you in my prayers and thoughts.....Paula is such a sweet, kind, person,....and she genuinely cares about helping others grow orchids.......Its just my opinion but,... growing orchids in inert media is easier than in bark and moss.......a lot less pests, rot, ph problems, much less issues to deal with, and you have more control of the growing process...
...I agree so much.....pace yourself. Buy orchids that you really want ......dont buy everyone you see.....as for the calmag........yes you can add it to your MSU.....I would also add it to your flushing water......you dont need to add a lot.....just 8-10 drops in 1/2 gallon water......its plenty and gives them trace amounts of calcium all the time......Please let me know if ever I can help you with your orchids.........Rick
@@rickl.orchidsYes! Thank you. I added CalMag to the MSU when I fed my orchids today. I am really doing better with my Sjogrens. Im in sort of a remission now. I got my inflammation down and my Rheumatologist took me off the immunosuppressant. I still have my days and I have degenerative joint disease but, I put my back brace on and I'm good for awhile. Another question ❓ I got a Corona Green Genie in the mail yesterday. I hear that bifoliar Cattleya are a little fussy when it comes to repotting. I soaked her in CalMag and Seaweed when I unpacked her. I have left it in the Spagnum moss she is in, waiting until I see new roots before I repot. Is that what you do? I also think I see a bloom forming. Will it abort due to stress or do you think it will continue to develope. Thank you for the great advice.
@@remaeburney832 ......Im so very happy your doing better, keep fighting and do what ever you can to continue with good health......When I get a new plant, I repot it with in a few days......I dont wait for roots to appear or hold off for blooms etc......Most of the orchids are usually in bad media and thier roots are not the best.....they are about as stressed as they can already be........so getting them into fresh media and settled in so I can start feeding them correctly is better in my opinion......Everyone grows differently.....and should follow the method that they are most comfortable with.....thank you my friend.
Thank you! In fact , the last orchid I got was a NOID Phal. I broke my protocol and repotted it because it was in that awful sponge plug. I was so scared that I watched her like I watched my human children. This morning, I saw that the last bloom had fallen, I see tiny new roots and a leaf forming. She stayed in bloom from December until today, July! So, will do. I will repot the Cattleya later today. You're the best! Don't tell the other UA-cam or hid growers. 😂🤫@@rickl.orchids
Yep, I got some black rot. But I don't think it has anything to do with the nutrients. I think it was that stale water I found at the bottom of the decorative pot.
Your plants are looking fantastic as ever though.
thank you my friend.
Hi Rick, I'm glad to hear you folks had some rain. Here in Kentucky, we only had two light rains in June for the entire month. It's going to spoil July 4th plans, but it looks like we might get rain on the 4th and 5th (fingers crossed). Your video was very informative. I think part of my problem with orchid failure is not using any Cal-Mag. I just use MSU slow release and MSU H2O mix. Once a month, I use a liquid seaweed/fish fertilizer. I also just started using only distilled water instead of tap. I have two vanda orchids that I grow outside over the summer, but the other 40 orchids of mine I grow indoors all year. One vanda bloomed for me last summer. In the past all the cattleyas or dendrobiums that I put outside under a shade tree in the summer turned black, rotted and died. I might try again and put one cattleya outside once I buy some Cal-Mag. Thanks again for the great guidance and take care, James
........I hope you get your needed rain but still have a great 4th....MSU is a wonderful product, excellent orchid nutrient mix,... but it still needs some additional calcium ...most orchid fertilizers do.... ..Kelp/seaweed supplements are not the same thing as organic fish fertlizers......Orchids dont do well with organic fertlizers.....they tend to collect and cause issues in the media.....and the best thing you mentioned was the distilled water........tap will work, but over time orchids struggle and never seem to grow correctly.......Lots of anti foaming agents, sodium, chlorine, and other things in tap water....even good tap water.
@@rickl.orchids Good afternoon Rick, I just purchased a brand of Cal-Mag from Fox Farm, Bush Doctor which is 1-0-0-. I mix 1 tsp. per gallon of water. How often do you think that I should give this to my indoor orchids and my two outdoor vandas. Thanks, James
@@JamesBrown-i2e ......James thats a great question, I love the Fox Farm products....they make some great stuff. That Bush Doctor Calmag 1-0-0 is a favorite of mine...
...I'm not sure what fertilizer your using.....check the label and see what % of calcium and % of Nitrogen it contains......I like my calcium and nitrogen to be close to the same %....I would give it to your plants at least every week.....with Vanda's, I would add it to the water every time I sprayed or soaked them.....the rain should be the only time they get water with out calcium in it....they seem to do much better with a good calcium feed.......let me know how they do........great question and great choice for Calmag supplement.
@@rickl.orchids Good morning Rick. Thanks for the advice. We are actually forecast for much needed rain this evening and the next two days. I will start using the Calmag along with my weekly weekly MSU fertilizer and hopefully get some root growing started. Have a happy 4th of July! James
@@JamesBrown-i2e .....MSU is another great mix......but still needs a bit of calcium in my opinion........you will most definitely see some vigorous root growth over the next few weeks.....Have a great 4th as well.....
Do you make the wooden boxes??? Super cute. Are they dovetailed corners? Hard to see…
thank you......no dovetails.....just butted together and screwed at the corners.
That Dendrobium is more likely to be Regina Beauty (often mislabeled as Regina Busse out of Hawaii), although I'd have to see it in person to be more certain. But that is the most common red out of Hawaii.
thanks for the name Michael......it looks just like it, I believe thats it.....thank you.
I've been flushing my orchids a lot recently just because it's an easier way to water them, but I'll have to start adding some cal-mag after.
.......its not only great that your flushing....the roots will grow so much better.....but giving them some calcium as well will really make them happy.....excellent!
So happy I found your videos, will be viewing them all. I am a new orchid lover with 8 cattleya orchids seedlings in Ontario. Have had them for 1 year, no . What is better a ph pen or other type with 2 spikes? Do they work on their own or do you need to buy extra items? Can’t believe my orchid food does not contain any calcium. I’ve seen that the calmag has other minerals included. Is plain calmag better? Not sure I saw it plain. I have so much to learn about growing orchids inside an outdoors. I need to find some soon as I don’t see an abundance of roots thru the clear pots. Thankyou for your help.
Welcome Shirley......great questions......get a cheap ph pen........once you check your ph and its ok......you wont need to check it all the time.....Most PH pens come precalibrated.....so no extra items needed.......If your ph is high or low.......you may need to check it occasionally.....and then you will need some calibration agent.......Calmag has calcium, magnesium, and a trace of iron in it.....most calcium supplements are close to the same.......Thats what I use Calmag.....give them 10-12 drops in 1/2 gallon of very good water.....use that to flush your orchids with......and you can use that water to add your nutrients to as well......the orchids will do the rest......Let me know if I can answer any other questions.....
Rick, I absolutely love your garden! I will definitely take the calcium advice! I think the label says 1/2 tsp per gallon. Would you say that’s enough? Is twice a week enough for this weather? We have similar weather in Miami. Also I add a pinch of Epson salt. Would you think that’s ok? Together with the CalMag?
Good morning, and thank you Melissa....with your enviorment and so much rain all the time,... I would spray them after any good rain, or if your flushing them...1/2tsp per gallon is fine.....There is plenty of magnesium in the calmag......and your fertilizer mix should also contain some magnesium.......I only add Epson salts ..if I notice an issue......I hope I can get my collection to look as nice as yours does someday......keep up the great work.
Oh and I love your orchid boxes! Where do you get those?
.......Hello Christie.....I make them......ua-cam.com/video/A-pzuZ4FNA8/v-deo.html
Those are certainly beautiful healthy tomatos! What variety are they? How often do you fertilize them? One thing I have noticed about your orchids is that there is absolutely no sign of disease or yellowing of the leaves. I've never seen perfect orchids like this on any of the other channels that I follow. You must be doing something right, huh? :)
.....thank you my friend....The Tomatoe's are "Red Snapper:" from Hoss Seed......I gave them some used orchid mix...left over from soaking my plants......when they were planted in the garden....and again at 3' tall....nothing since except calmag to keep blossom end rot away.......The orchids get fed every 5-6 days with lots of calcium.....makes such a difference in thier overall health.....makes them very tough....
@@rickl.orchids Thank you for the quick response! I have never heard of the "Red Snapper" variety before! It's very difficult for me to grow tomatos where I live because of the lack of sun, unfortunately. I hope you are doing well and always look forward to your new videos! :)
Hi, Rick! We texted about the PH of my water here in the central Florida gulf, and you gave some great suggestions. I really appreciated it. I have another question relating to Cal/Mag and my climate. All my orchids live outdoors in summer. I understand the importance of Cal/Mag, but when it rains every day, thereby flushing all my orchids, do I refertilize every day? Rains are usually over by mid evening, so I could do it. I sometimes hesitate to fertilize when the orchids won't dry off thoroughly before night. What do you recommend? I'm glad you and your wife are doing better, by the way! Thanks in advance for your thoughts
......thank you for the kind words......and Iove the questions you ask...A good grower doesnt just ask what to do or use......they want to know why and the reasoning behind it......Your thoughts on the rain flushing and feeding frequency is great...
.On my orchids, that are outside.....if they get rained on....I spray them with calmag....and I also just started putting dolomitic lime on them to keep another source of calcium and magnesium around them and keep me from spraying calmag so often.....As for feeding them.....wet roots or dry.... if they can benefit from a feeding,.... I feed them.....I keep track of my feedings in a small notebook.....it helps to give a bigger picture of thier fertilizing routine..
....some examples....If it rains and I feed them.......and it rains again.....I wont re-feed automatically.....I ll let them get rained on a few times and then feed again.....if they are getting rained on daily ....I would make sure and spray them with calmag 2x a week......Rain will move around nutrients still in the pots and media and allow the orchids to feed again......In the wild attached to a tree.....an orchid gets food everytime it would rain......and it would always contain some calcium....as long as Im feeding calcium to them.... I dont worry about them not drying out in between feedings....I hope I help a little at least......great questions.......
@@rickl.orchids Thank you so much! You gave me the info I needed so succinctly. I will grab some dolomitic lime to help with needing feeding so often, and follow your other suggestions. I also track all my feedings and nutrients used. So far with the PH adjustments and the more frequent Cal/Mag, they are looking so much better
I've followed your ratios of nutrients in your fertilizer mixture
1. Ratio of N to Ca 1:1 min, better +10-20%
2. Ratio Ca to Mg 2:1
Any other ratios you use??
I'm using your latest Jack's A & B mixture plus a touch of seaweed.
Asking the Big Guy to watch over you & Jan
.......thank you for the kindness......I love the Jacks A&B nutrients.......I use them 1:1.....for example....80ppm of Calcium Nitrate with 80ppm of 5-12-26....I will add about 30ppm of Magnesium once a month......or if I see an issue....I love adding seaweed to the mix.....great growth hormones as well as some additional Potassium.....Keep up the great work.......and keep me posted on your how your orchids are doing.........
Does this mean I can put my orchids outside here in McDonough, Ga?
.......sure, just make sure they are not in full sun, and have some protection.
is there a tutorial how you built your orchid shelf?
......no I didnt make one.........its basically a wooden shelf with slats around the outside of it to filter the light .....
Hi Rick. Can we grow paphipedullum in lava rock or any inorganic media? If yes, how can we do this? Thank you
.....great question.......yes you can ...here is a article about that.....roseg4art.com/Growing-tips/growing_paphiopedilums_in_lava_r.html
@@rickl.orchids thank you
Here’s one out of the blue….what is the function of charcoal in media mixes?
Good morning Bruce.......great question....Charcoal, helps with odors, bacteria, absorbs excess salts, helps with drainage,......but as quickly as it absorbs excess salts it also holds on to them......and it can be hard to flush clean....
@@rickl.orchids Good question, great answer. I’ve started on the dilute Cal/Mag treatment you suggested. It’s only been a week and there’s root nubins coming from everywhere. I’ll continue to keep you posted.
Have a great day.
@@brucestern1025 ......Bruce, thank you..... I love hearing feedback......I tell growers often ....the calcium isnt a miracle nutrient......it doesnt make them grow.....it allows them to grow......Please keep me posted with your orchids progress........Rick
Rick are you still using a bit of garden lime in the orchid pots every few weeks ?
......a great question.......Im not right now....they are young, most are newly repotted, and even thought they are growing well.....the roots havent filled the pots yet......as more roots collect, and fill the pots I will start adding some dolomitic lime to thier pots....The lime gets washed out some everytime they get flushed or rained on.....as the roots fill the pots it will stay put better.....hope that makes sense,........meanwhile Im giving them extra calmag.....
Rick, I’ve got a hypothetical for you;
I just fertilized my orchids. The weatherman says it’s going to rain for the next 72 hours! How long AFTER I fertilize should I wait to put my plants out in the rain to get flushed, in order for them to have receive the maximum benefit from the fertilizer absorption?
.....You ask the best questions Bruce.....wait 48 hrs and catch the tail end of the rainfall....a nice steady rainfall.....will flush them well in 3-4 hrs ......They will feed for 48 hrs and then when they get rained on....they will feed again and get flushed as well......
Rick, my good questions don’t even compare to your FANTASTIC answers!!!
I had trouble phrasing the question, but now you’ve given me the “sweet” spot for nutrient absorption. And, as it turns out, the weatherman is going to cooperate this week! I can’t thank you enough. I come to you for all my fertilizer questions. Plus I want you to know that, because of your previous answers,I’ve now started a Cal/mag routine. Thanks again.
@@brucestern1025 .....your too kind Bruce....thank you......Growers that ask questions show they want to know more and be better growers.....I love that.....One of the best things you can do for your orchids is to give them calcium on a regular basis.......please keep me posted with thier progress......
Morning, Rick,
am in process of transferring my phals to lava rock… FINALLY! already the 3 that I transferred are showing new surface roots. My question is , any recommendations of where to get lava rock? Am running out & the sites I look at say their lava rock is for grills & I am a bit dubious to order this as to its safety with plants.
(the vendor I bought from previously now does not carry the large lava rock which is what I thought was best) Bc your plants look like you use the large lava rock.
I need to buy it on line for delivery as I am not getting out yet post knee replacement.
Thanks.
.......Georgia....I will keep you in my prayers for a quick recovery....I get my lava rock from Home Depot or Lowes.......its used for landscaping. drainage and for BBQ grills, fire pits.......around $8.98 a 40lb bag.....it has small to large pieces in it......I use it all,....big pieces go in bottom of pots and smaller ones around it.....they grow on all of it....please keep me posted on your plants progress.....
..FYI.....I had my left shoulder replaced 10+ yrs ago.....I love it, ....no pain, no soreness, and its stronger than the original one....do your therapy and when they tell you to walk or move.....do it.....
Thank you, Rick.
Those aren't schedule 1 tomatoes 😎
lol........nope...
@@rickl.orchids 🤣
Hey I got a strange question my phalaenopsis ohl flame(gigantea hybrid) smells like ants like the plant itself but it doesn’t have any ants since it’s hanging and this has never happened before. she does have some deficiencies that I’m working on getting back to normal but that wouldn’t cause the smell right?
......that is a interesting question........it could be the media your picking up on....or some form of decay from roots.....you may want to check out whats in the pot
@@rickl.orchids I will be checking the roots since i recently repotted it in bark and moss
It turned out it was a bacterial infection in the new leaf but everything else was fine a lot of new roots i never saw before so i just ended up cutting the whole new leaf for safety
@@eloina17 ......glad it wasnt worse......great instincts and a sense of smell....that something was off.......
And you need to keep talking about calcium, my friend. I know people hear the words you're saying. But when they turn around and talk about how they don't need it for this reason or that. It just proves to me that they hear you, but don't get it.
I'm not gonna embarrass anybody, but I know a channel that has literally talked down about yours. But they have pest issues, you don't. And I don't think it's just because they don't shower their plans. I think it's probably a good thing they don't. will getting rained on won't harm a healthy plant. I do worry what it might do to a not so healthy plant. I think pets leave your plants alone because they're so healthy. They don't want to work so hard. And the rain is just gonna wash a healthy plant. It's not gonna bruise it or knock it down.
In short, plants love rain. Maybe it's not a real great thing for a not so healthy plant, though.
Just my two cents.
....thank you Victor.......Im not concerned about channels that promote and push negativity......and I let my plants speak for themselves....but you are correct.....rain on a weak or sick plant wont help it......Have a great 4th my friend.
@rickl.orchids I couldn't have said it better myself. People that don't get it may never get.