> From: "Patricia and Jeff Harding > When I was at a Colombian orchid grower's nursery they told me they put a > solution of formic acid around the base of their Coryanthes once a month. (snip) > So, a bunch of us got some formic acid. When they described this in > Colombia, via translators, they said one tsp to the liter. I envisioned a > powder. What we have gotten is a liquid, and when you read the accompanying > literature this is really caustic stuff and I wonder about the wisdom of > using it.
Sounds like it is worth a try. If Coryanthes simply want acidic conditions that inhibit microbial growth, then dilute vinegar might work just as well. I doubt there is a specific requirement for formic acid. If you do use the formic acid, just remember: "Do as you oughtta, add acid to water." and "Here lies a guy all pale and flaccid. He added water to the acid." By adding concentrated acid to water, you ensure that anything that splashes up is mostly water. If you add water to concentrated acid, then splashes could be mostly acid. Dilute the acid in a well ventilated room (or outside) and don't breath the fumes. Nick -- Nicholas Plummer nickplummer@ _______________________________________________ the OrchidGuide Digest (OGD) [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://lists.orchidguide.com/mailman/listinfo/orchids
