growing orchids on top of pebbles in water

[Janet]

Someone from Norway on another list said that she and her friends grow their orchids by removing all media, getting tall glass cylinders, putting stones in the bottom, then covering the stones with water and just placing the orchids on top. The roots may grow a bit into the water, but for the most part the roots are just sitting there on top of the pebbles. The sides of the glass hold the plant in place. She had some vandas potting this way.

So, anyone else tried this?

[Alana]

Sounds like semi-hydro to me. Several people here grow that way.

[cindiras]

Very similar to the Semi-Hydro technique some of us have picked up from firstrays. Seems to me to be a form of water culture.

[Janet]

I do the semi-hydro stuff myself, but this sounded different, since the roots were not in the pebbles but on top of them and the sides of the vase were what provided support.

I'm the only one in my local orchid society that does the semi-hydro. None of the big experts do that, but I tried it and it works for me.

[wetfeet101b]

Although this may sound like semi-hydro, it is in fact a different culture technique.
This employs a nearly enclosed container (a jar or vase) that is tall enough to accommodate root growth inside the container but the roots do not touch the water.

The water does not wick up via the pebbles and up to the roots.
The pebbles, for the most part, are just used as a counterweight to stabilize the container.
The evaporating water creates a very humid microclimate inside the container and provides the necessary moisture for the roots.

This technique is usually called "vase culture" and is quite popular among vanda growers who do not have the necessary natural humidity.

[delphiguy]

thanks for the info john.... seems like a good thing for me to try, got some empty flower
vase lying around somewhere....

[Janet]

Thanks John! That was just what I wanted to know and it's a vanda that I'm trying this with. Its roots may be too far gone, but if this one doesn't make it, I will try again.

[catttan]

Thanks John for the info. At first I thought it was SH.

[Danie]

Would this technique work for Phals as well?
I have a couple of Phals that need to grow roots...
Thanks.
Danie

[gidi]

yes it will since phal roots should be dry, this way they don't get wet since they dont touch the water, but there is a humidity due to the water vapor (this mean from time to time you need to add water to the vase) it's like having an orchid inside a terrarium only in this case the roots are inside and the leaves and spike are outside, it's a good idead to sprinkel the leaves daily in the morning and also a few spalsh to the roots