Properly managing pH will help you grow full, beautiful orchids.
Orchids are delicate flowers that have a number of requirements that must be met for successful growth and continued blooming. One of those requirements involves the pH of the soil. This measure of alkalinity and acidity involves a number of elements from water to fertilizer and can be difficult to manage properly. Does this Spark an idea?
If It's Too High
High pH can lead to a toxic environment.
The pH level is a measurement of how acidic or alkaline the growing medium of the orchid is. The ideal range for most orchids is between 5.8 and 6.5, with any higher being too alkaline. If the pH level gets too high, some of the soil components will actually become toxic to the orchids. Other nutrients, such as phosphorus, will not be absorbed into the plant when the pH is too high. Pesticides are generally more effective in an environment that is on the acidic side, so pH that is too high may result in ineffective pesticides.
If It's Too Low
Orchids require a well-rounded diet.
If the pH drops below 5.8, fertilizer will not be broken down or absorbed into the plant as efficiently. The activity of the bacteria and microorganisms in the soil will decrease and many of the key nutrients such as magnesium are unable to be absorbed. When nutrients can't be absorbed into the plant, the results will vary and include stunted growth, wilting leaves, an unhealthy appearance and a lack of flowers. Consistent nutrient starvation will kill the plant.
pH and Additives
Keeping the same water and fertilizer will help you regulate pH.
Water and fertilizer are two of the main things that will affect the levels of pH. Different types of water -- such as tap water, distilled water and rainwater -- will have different levels of pH and when they are added to the environment they will change the levels. Over time, this can greatly impact the pH levels of the orchid's environment if left unchecked. Different types of fertilizers will also have different pH levels depending on what nutrients are contained in the fertilizer. These will often interact with the water and the components contained within it, changing the pH.
Adjusting pH
A pH meter is a device that will measure the pH of the soil and can be an invaluable addition to your gardening tools. Depending on the reading and the size of the environment that needs adjusting, dolomitic lime will help raise the pH when simply added to the top of the soil, where it will be washed into the environment by watering and be absorbed into the soil. The addition of a peat-based growing material will help lower the pH.
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