Recycling Rain Water

Water is one of the the most essential requirement in orchid cultivation. Ipoh has a very high rainfall index and instead of allowing the water from the rain to run into the drains, I have configured my roof (total area exceeding 15000 sq feet) to slope in such a way as to allow all the rain runoff to flow into 2 holding concrete tanks.

 One 10'X15'X6' tank on ground level can hold about 900 cu ft of water and another 20'X20'x6' below ground level can hold 2400 cu ft of water

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 I also introduced fresh water fish into the larger tank in order to make the water more alkaline which is more suitable for my orchids. The fish not only produce nitrogen to cut down my fertilser cost but also provide a source of protein for my family and friends. If you have been following my facebook, you will see on many occasions, talapia from my farm is one of the items in our menu. In this tank alone I can rear more than 300 fishes ..... patins, talapia, sultan fish and African catfish. My patins are more than 5 kilos each and one of my African catfish weights more than 8 kilos.

 I use high protein pellets as feed for my fish and in a month I buy about 6 bags (20 kilos/
bag).  This produces a lot of waste by the fish and I use a 1/2 hp  submersible  pump to filter the water in a 40ft long trench. I use old nets from my orchid sheds as filter medium.. The medium is washed every week or so and the sludge or effluent is used to fertilise my vegetable and bonsai plants. 

To keep my pond oxygenated, I aerate it with a 1/2 hp blower. Both my submersible pump and blower work 24 hours daily.

I use a 2 HP  pump to deliver water to my sprinkler system. I have a system of valves which can be turned on and off or used manually if needed.

 My next project is to construct a system of 4 inch PVC pipes where the pond water is piped through and filtered  and I intend to grow my vegetable in 4" spaced holes drilled into the pipes to grow them hydrophonically. 

I have the dream but alas my time is limited.

New Hybrids Registered in the Month of Febuary

NEW HYBRIDS REGISTERED

Phalaenopsis Tiffany Cheng

The flower measures 5.5 x 5.5 cm in size. Petals and sepals are red in colour with fine yellow concentric lines . The column is white and the side lopes are also white with yellow edges. The lip is red. This hybrid is named after my grand daughter born in September last year.

Phalaenopsis Tung Kum Seng 

A showy hybrid with the characteristic red colour from its pollen parent P Tan lee Moy. Flower measures 6 x 6cm in size. Petals and sepals are solid purplish red in colour. The column is pink and side-lopes white with yellow tips. The lip is dark red. This hybrid is named after my uncle iwho lives in Kuala Lumpur to commemorate his birthday which falls on 31st December 2013.

Phalaenopsis Chong Lee Har

The flower measures 6 x 6 cm in size. Petals and sepals are dark red in colour with close light yellow concentric lines. The column is white and side-lopes also white with yellow edges. The lip is of a different tone of red. This hybrid is named after Jessie's classmate and good friend who has migrated to England many years back.