CO2
and Orchids
Several
months ago I began
experimenting
with CO2. After
dispelling several
myths it has proven
to be the easiest
and most effective
way to greatly
improve the growth
of orchids.
Flasks, compots and
more mature plants
respond equally well
to these methods. I
completed another
chamber for flasks
(12/19/01), I'm
using a fish tank
heater that is
placed in a 1 gallon
glass jar and placed
inside the chambers
for heat.
I
have much info on
the subject and am
placing links here
as time permits. I
would be interested
in any constructive
advice, comment or
questions on the
topic.
Pictures
and instructions for
my method of CO2
production by
fermentation.
Myth
#1....The
growth curve graph
in the article
indicates that
levels of CO2 above
2000 ppm will become
detrimental to plant
growth.
Myth#2
...In order
to have a favorable
affect growth, all
other growth factors
must be first
maximized (temp,
fertilizer and
light). Then only by
raising light levels
will additional CO2
be utilized.
Carbon
Dioxide Enrichment
Methods While
this article
indicates levels
above 2000 ppm are
detrimental to plant
growth it doesn't
seem to apply to
orchids. It has
excellent info on
the different types
of CO2 enrichment
methods which are:
Possible
Effects on Red
Phalaenopsis Hybrids
by producing and
storing starches in
the mesophyll layer
of the leaves. Red
pigment(anthocyanins)
are in solution in
the cell vacuole
and need a
good supply of
starch/sugars while
forming.
I
just completed a 3'
by 7' free standing
CO2
chamber with shading
out doors. It has
been my recent
observation that
Phalaenopsis respond
to ultra high levels
of CO2 by
growing much faster
than those grown
under ambient
levels. Leaf tissue
thickens with starch
and sugar reserves,
also aerial roots
form and others
branch. I have 4
of the 1 gallon
glass containers
with 1# of sugar
plus 1 tea. of
Active dry yeast
fermenting in the
labroom also. Plants
in flask are growing
much more rapidly
and lush.
It
has been reported
that levels of CO2
above 2000ppm would
inhibit
growth-that's just
not so. It is also
said that high light
and optimal
nutrients are
required before the
increased CO2
will have a positive
affect. That's also
not my
observation.
All plants in flask
are growing much
better regardless of
light levels. My big
concern was having
that much live yeast
in the Lab. Instead
of a water lock I
put a rubber stopper
with a plastic tube
going into a smaller
container of 1 Tbls
RD-20 and bubbled
the CO2
through it. I had 9
flasks plugged into
the flask manifold
for 2 months and one
became infected.
|
|
| Here
are several
e-mails
collected by
Bob Hamilton
and located
on Madison
Heights
Orchids
website.
This is very
pertinate to
orchids
grown under
high levels
of CO2 |
| A
few facts and
figures on
Carbon Dioxide |
| ambient
air has
approximently
370ppm of CO2
or about .37
ml per liter |
CO2
= 44g/mole |
The
volume of my
lab is 1,215
ft3
or 33,980
liters |
| 1
mole of CO2
is
about 22.4
liters in
volume at
STP(standard
temperature
and pressure) |
1
lb. of
granulated
sugar is ~approximently
500ml |
At
370ppm there
is
12.57liters(.444
ft3)
of CO2
in the lab air |
| |
1
lb. of sugar
fermented will
produce 1/2
pound of CO2
or 4.2ft3 |
|
| 360ml/1
hour of CO2
produced by
each of 4
generators(yeast)
or 1.44
liters/hour |
Measurement
Converter
Here
is a link to a
small but very
useful program
that will help
with
converting
volume, moles,
density,
light, and 16
other types of
measurements |
