Keep your orchids healthy with this flush.

[@patgentry7268]

Best Epsom salts explanation ever! Many thanks!

[@EdsOrchids]

Many thanks for your kind words Pat.......just subscribed to you. Ed.

[@NinjaOrchids]

Good fun to have the lovely ladies in the house over the winter! You make a wonderful host and I’m sure they are going to love it! 😍

[@EdsOrchids]

Let's hope that they will enjoy the extra light and warmth....they should do. Thanks Nina, Ed.

[@MllrtimeOnTheTube]

Hey Ed! Thanks for the Epsom salt tip I will do this. Also, I have had a similar LED - 1000 Watt grow light on my Vanda's and a couple of mounted Cattleyas for some time now with spectacular results. My space is limited due to living in an RV, so I converted my shower and bathroom to a greenhouse as well as my kitchen counter behind the sink where I had a Plexiglass mini greenhouse fabricated and there's a smaller LED above my potted Cattley's and they're growing and blooming proficiently! ( I get by and move them all when I need a shower! HaHa!) Soon I will be receiving a settlement and will be building a greenhouse behind my rental space, I will be posting several KZbin videos of my progress...and may set up an Orchid channel as well! Best wishes from California!

[@EdsOrchids]

Hi Jim. Now that's what I call a dedication to the hobby.....rearranging the house to accommodate your hobby. I hope that the leds will prove to be as effective as yours have been. You go right ahead and get yourself a channel I would be only too pleased to subscribe to it. Thanks once again and the best of luck with your intentions. Ed

[@bebsy9009]

Ed, thank you for this!

[@EdsOrchids]

Entirely my pleasure Bebsy. Thanks for taking a look at my channel. Take care and keep well, Ed

[@helenhawkins4054]

Useful video, always so helpful.🤗

[@EdsOrchids]

Thank you Helen so pleased you are finding my videos helpful. Take care. Ed.

[@lucythecat529]

Great video Ed! The light looks great! Catts should love it!

[@EdsOrchids]

Hi Beverly. I will be putting the cattleyas under the lights next week and they will be receiving around 14hours per day of the leds. Take care and thank you. Ed.

[@FernandaNascimentoOrchids]

Very good explanation. I also flush with Epsom salts but I do it at 300 ppm and once a month.

[@EdsOrchids]

I expect you also find a difference since you started the flushing process....i really don't think there is a viable substitute. Take care and thank you. Ed.

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

You talked about how early it gets dark at 3... I was able to visit the London area and 2001 or 2002 and then blue to Northern Ireland to visit relatives... You're much further north than where I live in the United States and Maryland which is an hour and a half from DC or an hour and a half from Baltimore Maryland. I was shocked at how early it got to be late in the morning it seemed like in Ireland about 3 in the morning and it didn't get dark until around 11! I was able to tell my students after that trip that if your mother said you had to be home before dark and get to stay out till around 11 here in Maryland it gets dark around 9... And I chased the kids if you lived in Alaska he probably could stay out all night teehee! But after that summer of light I wondered how you guys did with a winter of such Darkness! I knew all that extra light helps you grow all those beautiful flowers outside in the summer because of the extra daylight and I wondered how plants would get along in the winter... I've just been using regular LED 100-watt equivalent daylight light bulbs. In my bedroom the orchids aren't near window but they have four lamps that don't have shades on what's 100 watt light bulbs and under the counter LED 40 watt equivalent light strip and my cane begonias that I started to collect are not near window either. They have led under the counter strip lights better 40 watt equivalent and another floor lamp with a hundred watt daylight equivalent light bulb close by none of these plants have shades on anymore... It's amazing the electric bill has gone down even with all these lights on hey... I very much enjoy your videos I just don't always get a chance to leave a comment!

[@EdsOrchids]

Hi Kathleen. I only put a few plants out in the summer...I leave most in the greenhouse because we have plenty of light and I can leave the two doors on the greenhouse wide open. In winter it's a different proposition and the greenhouse has to have light for at least ten hours per day and the heat is from a 3k heater so my electricity bill is quite high. The cattleyas and phalaenopsis come inside to a prepared room where they can get the heat and light required. Take care Ed.

[@patriciasorchids3999]

I started using a strong flush of Epsom salts after your last video on the subject. It is good to know you use it every 3 months, I wasn't sure how often I should flush. I did noticed last time my leaves got really nice vibrant green colour. It is great at dealing with snails and other critters hiding in the media. I tend to dunk the whole pot into to the solution. Thanks for sharing, stay safe.

[@EdsOrchids]

I've just looked back over the last time I did this type of video and your comment said that you had quite a number of snail emerge from the medium. With my cattleyas being in open baskets I have to water from the top...if I dunked the whole of the bark would just float over the top/ Take care and thanks again for yet another comment. Ed.

[@ThreeRivers2014]

Very good video. I love your King of Taiwan, can't wait to see it bloom.🌱 Susan

[@EdsOrchids]

Hi Susan. The King of Taiwan has just broken through the sheath with two buds so I'll be able to see if it's been bred from good stock within the week. Take care, Ed.

[@ThreeRivers2014]

@@EdsOrchids Will be watching!

[@monkey.viper.penguin]

Been using Sulphur since you suggested it, and must say never had a thrip problem. Will have to try Epsom salts as well - best explanation I've come across for the whys and wherefores. Like you I have to use supplemented light for the two Cattleya species I have in the darker parts of the year, it does make a visible difference. Though after seeing your lights, thinking I should really look into investing in better than what I use currently. I think if you are growing on a northern latitude of 35 plus, extra lighting for plants like Cattleyas is advisable. 45 plus I would say a must once the daylight hours are nearing or below 12. Great video, thank you! Always a pleasure to watch and learn.

[@EdsOrchids]

Thank you for the content of your comment Michele. A real welcome suprise to hear from you. I'll be moving the cattleyas indoors sometime next week and I'll be giving them good light for at least 14 hours per day. Take care and thank you. Ed.

[@monkey.viper.penguin]

@@EdsOrchids It was a welcome surprise to find this channel. Do miss getting out to the shows and what not. If I ever get chance to meet with you again, I'll have to pass on one (or two) of my Cattleya intermedia var coerulea to you. Have a few division after dismounting it. Really should have used a bigger flatter mount - but we learn from our mistakes. It's a very forgiving species though, that will bounce back with the right care. With 6 bits of the original I have plenty of chances at least. All the best, and take care. Say hi to Sheila from me.

[@EdsOrchids]

I've already said Hi to her from you both and she was very pleased that we have heard from you. I accept your offer with gratitude Michele..thank you. We still have meetings at Barton but the lockdown has put an end to the shows until, I hope, December. Anyhow take care and both of you keep well. Ed.

[@orchidsbythelake]

600!! Didn’t expect that much. Now it’s on my calendar. I guess there is no pint with lower ppm and do it more often since accumulation would really happen in such short term... thank you!

[@EdsOrchids]

You are quite right with what you say....but always remember to give a good flushing within 24hours if using the smaller dosages. Thank you for your comment and have a very good week ahead. Ed.

[@CK110553]

Thanks Ed ! On a previous video you had mentioned flushing with Epson Salt so I tried it. I don’t remember the TDS but the leaves turned nice and green! Thank you again for the great information!

[@EdsOrchids]

Thank you CK and I'm very pleased that the Epsom Salts has done a good job for you. Ed.

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

I assume you bring your cattleya orchids in the house in the winter because they need more warmth... I hope I don't have to treat mine any different than phalaenopsis I bought some Bag babies. My understanding is there young plants and could possibly take a couple years before they bloom if I'm doing everything right

[@EdsOrchids]

I bring my Cattleyas and the Phalaenopsis into the house for the winter where I can provide them with the warmth and light they need. Not knowing what Bag Babies are I presume they are young plants......I hope they will do very well for you if that is what they are. Take care and thanks. Ed.

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

@@EdsOrchids these are orchids the bag babies that is that have been put in a little bit of media in a pot and then a plastic mesh bag put over it and a hang tag put on it with a picture of I guess what it might look like and who the parents were. They cost for a larger one about $15 and for a smaller one about 8. The longest I've had any of them has been about a year and they've grown new shoots but nobody's bloomed yet. I take them out of the bag there in which I guess let sunlight in but they usually aren't watered in the store. So I take them out of the pot give the new bark media and put them in a clay pot like I do my phalaenopsis. I've added pumice and charcoal to the mix of bark I water and fertilize them by soaking them like I do my phalaenopsis in a nutrient solution. There aren't any nurseries around here that sell orchids only the supermarkets and the big Chain stores that sell Nursery plants and house plants sell phalaenopsis and then the chain store hardware store so cells disease babies every once in awhile... I think the further south you live in the United States the better your chances of finding a big selection of bag babies most of them are cymbidium and sometimes a dendrobium

[@fionagrace2111]

Brilliant explanation Ed, thank you! Do you think that strong a solution will be ok for orchids such as paphs, restrepias and mostly my Dracula orchid?

[@EdsOrchids]

Good morning to you Fiona and thank you for the question. I give mine a strong solution every three months but there is absolutely no reason you cannot use a much smaller dose on a more regular basis providing you give them a good flushing within a few hours on the same day.It is fine to use on any plant. Thank you and take care. Ed.

[@nataliez.7506]

Hi Ed! Thanks for the video. Do you worry about reusing water for all & each plants? I am concerned about spreading any pests, eggs, or diseases. Have a great day.

[@EdsOrchids]

I don't bother about using the same water because I have a general idea on the health of my plants, The only time I change this is if am introducing new plants I want to make sure they are clean before using the same water........Thank you for the comment, Ed.

[@mariakarathanasi9799]

Great video I will definitaly do this treatment but what about ph, at what level should that be so the orchids can absorb it.? thanks for sharing and have a great evening.

[@EdsOrchids]

Good evening Maria. If you are using just the Epsom salts don't bother about the ph the roots will take up what they need and the rest will be used for cleaning the substrate. Thanks for the comment and take care. Ed

[@mariakarathanasi9799]

@@EdsOrchids Good morning Ed and thanks for the infor, have a great day.

[@Muffin21814]

Thank you Ed for that good information!! Would it hurt to use extra sulfur powder in the Epsom salts? I don't have any thrips so just wondering if any benefits adding extra sulfur besides the bugs. Love the light system. Still haven't had a chance to look into it. Too much going on at the moment. My husband just had cancer surgery and it looks like he has more problems need dealing with. Thanks again for all your help. 👍😁

[@EdsOrchids]

The orchids only need a spattering of sulphur so there is no point in adding more unless you have a problem. Going to bring the cattleyas indoors as soon as I have finished the things I need to do. Sorry to hear about your husband Valarie and I hope that he will make a speedy recovery. Take care, Ed.

[@dennisparker6827]

I flush with Epsom salts once a month or so although I use a more diluted amount.

[@EdsOrchids]

If it's a more diluted mix do you still flush with clean water shortly afterwards.? Ed

[@dennisparker6827]

Not every time. I only use a tablespoon per 4-5 gallons of water.

[@andredumas9547]

Hello Ed, you say that the concentration of Epsom salt should be 600 parts per million, how do you achieve or measure that ? Why do you avoid dunking the entire pot in the bucket ? This is a treatment that I will do for sure, I really appreciate your sharing that precious information with us. Thanks Ed!

[@ShaneyElderberry]

A TDS meter will provide the general PPM of your water.

[@EdsOrchids]

It doesn't matter if it's 400 or 600 ppm but I like to go to the higher end because of the flushing with pure water afterwards. I don't dunk the cattleyas because the bark would float to the top and they

[@andredumas9547]

ShaneyElderberry OK so if my tap water is 90 TDS then I would add Epsom salts until I get a reading of 690 which would indicate that I have a concentration of 600 parts per million ? Is that it ? Thanks

[@EdsOrchids]

@@andredumas9547 That's the way to work it Andre. Ed

[@siegristsi]

In this video, you flush the epson salt water solution on cattleya. Do you flush epson salt water solution on Phrag also?

[@EdsOrchids]

I flush all my plants within a day of feeding. In and any magnesium still left in the potstead of flushing through with pure water I prefer to add a little calcium. Flushing as you know tries to get rid of excess unused fertilizer. The addition of Epsom Salts binds itself to the unused fertilizer and cleans the medium better than pure water. Any magnesium left in the pots will only be beneficial to the plants. thanks for asking...........pleased to subscribe to your channel.....take care, Ed.

[@siegristsi]

@@EdsOrchids Thank you Ed. I have good success with Paph but not Phrag, so I watched bunch of your videos and soaked up as much phrag growing knowledge as possible. Now I am ready to tackle phrag grow. Thanks again.

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

! So this Epsom salts flush is a two-part plush 1st flush with the Epsom salt solution then a few hours later you said to flush again you said to flush again you said to flush again you said to flush again and you said to flush again and you said to flush again and you said to flush again and is that with you said to flush again and is that with plain water you said to flush again and is that with plain water for the second flush a few hours later? Does that give the Epsom salts a chance for a couple hours to loosen up the excess salt and then you flush the Orchid clean a couple hours later to get rid of what the Epsom salts remove... I think I watch one of your other or maybe even this one about using Epsom salts for Flash but didn't realize there was a second step

[@EdsOrchids]

The first flush is with the Epsom Salts which will bind itself to the left over salts in the medium and remove them. A second flush is recommended with pure water if you are growing paphiopedilums but is also beneficial to other orchids. Ed.

[@kathleenmurphy2379]

@@EdsOrchids you're the best thank you so much it's been very cold here so I haven't bought my lady slipper orchid or a cymbidium... I bought a couple angel wing begonias and there was a heat pack in the Box and it didn't feel warm to me... I was worried I was going to lose them because of the cold but there were still some warmth and the heat pack so the begonia is made it but I'm not so sure about orchids

[@david020218]

I thought your orchids did badly when you brought them in last winter

[@EdsOrchids]

You're quite right David most of them did suffer. The ones I am bringing in this winter are only the cattleyas where I can give them the light and warmth they require until the following spring.. Ed.

[@anitahjelm9804]

Approximately how much Epsom salt do you put in 10 litres of water?

[@EdsOrchids]

Good evening Anita. There's no definite amount you put in but I would say about 1 and a half tablespoon full should do the trick/Thanks for the comment and take care. Ed.

[@anitahjelm9804]

@@EdsOrchids Thank you so much for the answer. I really appreciate your knowledge. And your willingness to share it 💐

[@EdsOrchids]

My pleasure Anita. Ed.

[@TrishsOrchidLife]

Do you use the Epsom flush for all of your orchids or are they some that you stay away from

[@EdsOrchids]

Good morning Trish and thanks for the comment. I use the flush on all the orchids but I always make sure they get a good flushing within two or three hours to remove the excess salts followed by a further flushing at the next watering. Take care and keep well. Ed.

[@TrishsOrchidLife]

Thank you for the reply and informative videos. I am going to do the epsom flush and follow up flush next watering.

[@EdsOrchids]

@@TrishsOrchidLife You don't need to flush with the Epsom Salts too often Trish. Depending at what strength you use wll determine how often you should do it. If the tds Is around 200-300 then every three or four weeks will be adequate, Thanks and take care, Ed

[@TrishsOrchidLife]

Thank you for the additional information. As I have never done this the information came at just the right time 😄

[@denisesorchidparadise1411]

great video Ed. did you have a Mars grow light last year? will you be using two this year? excellent video

[@EdsOrchids]

Good morning Denise. I will be using two..one in the greenhouse and the other one in my home. I will only be bringing the cattleyas indoors and I am doing this because the temperature will drop to around 12c in the greenhouse and I can give them more warmth indoors. Take care and thanks. Ed

[@sannekemartha7737]

thanks for this video !!

[@EdsOrchids]

Entirely my pleasure thank you for taking a look. Ed

[@Shniedelwoodz]

Did you know that Epsom Salts cristals are about 50% water? Kinda crazy.

[@EdsOrchids]

Everything's crazy these days Shniedwoodz......but what's in a name??? Ed.