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Moss control in orchids

Discussion in 'Issues, Disease and Pests' started by Dale, May 7, 2010.

  1. May 7, 2010 #1
    Dale

    Dale New Member

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    Recently a couple of my bogs had areas of excessive moss so I treated the areas with Iron Sulphate. I saw dramatic results within a couple days, so I decided to try the Iron Sulphate on a few disposable orchids in my GH. Results were equally dramatic and after a couple weeks I've noticed no damage to the orchids while the treated moss has, in most cases, turned black. I dissolved 1 teaspoon of FeSO4 in one gallon of 35 ppm water and just sprayed the orchid and moss with a bottle sprayer. TDS of the solution was 780 ppm.
     
  2. May 7, 2010 #2
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    That's good news, Dale. Has the dead moss affected air and water flow to the roots? I know that some of the moss I have in my GH is wretched. It grows for a bit and then collapses, thus restricting air & water access to the root mass. It drives me crazy.
     
  3. May 7, 2010 #3
    Dale

    Dale New Member

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    "Has the dead moss affected air and water flow to the roots?"

    Yes. It's much better. The moss doesn't turn into a slimy black mess. The strands become wirey; almost brittle.


    I'm sorry you're crazy.
     
  4. May 8, 2010 #4
    Paul J

    Paul J New Member

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    If it is not overly embedded into sphagnum, I just pick it out and toss. At the right time of each semester, handfulls get taken to campus and used in the biology classes. More educational if the gametophytes are present; nothing like moss sex in public school! :cool:

    Paul
     
  5. May 9, 2010 #5
    This_guy_Bri

    This_guy_Bri weirdo

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    i ain't so great with the chemistry part of this so this may be a silly question, but have you noticed any iron toxicity?
     
  6. May 9, 2010 #6
    Dale

    Dale New Member

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    I haven't noticed toxicity of any kind after two weeks, or more.
     
  7. May 9, 2010 #7
    Tom_in_PA

    Tom_in_PA I am not an addict

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    I am goign to give this a try.....any sources for Iron Sulphate?
     
  8. May 9, 2010 #8
    Dale

    Dale New Member

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    I get mine from Delmer.
     
  9. May 9, 2010 #9
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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  10. Sep 26, 2010 #10
    Jon

    Jon Mmmm... bulbophyllum...

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    Any updates on the long-term efficacy/detriment of using the iron sulfate?
     
  11. Sep 26, 2010 #11
    Dale

    Dale New Member

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    Moss came back in the orchids, but it's not as vigorous as before treatment. Still dead in the bogs. No observed phytotoxicity.
     
  12. Sep 27, 2010 #12
    Ray

    Ray Orchid Iconoclast Supporting Member

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    I think iron toxicity is probably not going to be an issue because you are doing a one- or two application "shot", rather than a continual exposure.