Ashes in Santa Barbara

[karenk]

We have a fire in mountians behind Santa Barbara, and are experiencing daily heavy ash drop. Will this hurt my orchids? I have mostly Lalias and Catts..

[jay]

I am saddened by the continuation of these terrible fires. I don't think the ash drop will hurt the plants. Generally after a fire the ground is very rich in minerals and nutrients and that is how areas recover quickly. If they plants get buried in the ash, that might be a problem, but I don't see the ash itself as harmful. You might want to wait for others to comment for sure.

Good luck and I hope they get these fires soon.

[Aleksa]

I know that ash, when mixed with water creates carbon acid... I don't know will that affect on orchids but, just to be on the safe side, I would wash pots couple of times to remove ash from the potting material...

[patticake]

It's awful what's going on out there... If your plants are outside, can't you just hose them down really well? I don't know your whole situation. Good luck, and I hope the fires end soon.

[karenk]

Hi Patti,

Yes my orchids are outside...and I have washed them down a bit...the trouble is the ashed are coming everyday since last Thursday....and i did not want to over do the water...

Seems like they are getting a handle on things now...So I will give them another good shower this morning

[Hummer344]

All mine are outside and, for a time, were continually covered with ash from the Big Sur Fire, to the S. of me, or the Mendicino fire, to the N. of me. I just hosed them off every few days. No harm that I can see.

[articuno75]

Do you think that it could be possible that the ash could provide what the charcoal does for orchids only a finer form?

Just curiosity.