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Thread: Repotting 3 Phals in a 100% Perlite Semi Hydro medium

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  1. #1
    Real Name
    Bruce Brown
    My Grow Area
    Greenhouse
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Cattleyas & Slippers
    Join Date
    Mar 2003
    Gender
    Male
    Location
    Arkansas
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    35,143
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    Hi Johnny,

    In my opinion, I am not sure the perlite is the best choice for semi hydro. The medium in s/h is key to this type of culture. The medium needs to provide good capillary action to keep the material uniformly moist and be inert so that it doesn't breakdown over time. But it should also provide lots of free air space.

    The perlite in your photo shows very small pieces of perlite. If you are going to use perlite for semi-hydro you might consider using 3/4 or at the minimum 1/2 inch chunks. Also, perlite will breakdown over time and compress. This will limit air movement to the roots of your orchid.

    There are many here in this community who use s/h and perhaps can offer alternatives to the perlite you have chosen. (You might even consider using small lava rock if that is available in your part of the world.)

    Please others weigh-in. I have only three or four plants growing in this culture, so my experience with it is limited.

    Cheers,
    BD

  2. #2
    Real Name
    John Benish
    My Grow Area
    Porch/Patio.
    Favorite Orchid(s)
    Phals and Catts and Vandas
    Join Date
    Sep 2009
    Location
    Port Saint Lucie, Fl.
    Posts
    154
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    I agree with BD. I used pearlite on some small plants, and found it turned to "mush" after a few months.

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