my result of semi hydro orchid growing

[andreaemilia]

Hello
I put 20of my orchids in s/h
so far so good
i water them once every10-14 days depending on the temp
I intend on flushing them when pebbles start showing whitw bugs
Luckily I never had any parazites, once or to orchid developed some whitw fungus in the bark media, but I changed the media, cut back the watter
I have trible finding thr right fungicied for orchids in Romania
So I was wondering a very light dilution of chlorine could do the trick,
does anyone know if it is ok?
if yes what dilution to use?

[andreaemilia]

what I ment is I intend of flushing the pots once a month ao 6 weeks, when pebbles start showing white spots (God I do have trouble concentrating today)

and here are my orchids in my office all in S/h

this could save me the trouble I had last year when I went away for 2 weeks and my secretary overwatter all my orchids and manage to kill 2 phals (all light coloures white, light pink - maybe they are more senzitive than dsark coloured??)
for 2 weeks this year orchids will take care of themselfs.

[mauraec]

Andrea - your orchids look beautiful! It must be a pleasure to have them around you at work. Your plan for S/H maintenance sounds good. As for a fungicide, have you looked online for Physan? Other than that, I have number of "natural" soap-based anti-fingals and insecticides, but I honestly have had better results with the chemicals. I have never tried chlorine, but I don't think I would do it. That said, there may be many others who use it with good results.

[espranch]

Most of my orchids are in LECA ( those round or oblong clay balls...) or mounted. A few others that did not like the LECA are in a bark, perlite, charcoal mix. All get watered once a week in Spring/Summer with 1/4 teas. fertilizer per gallon of water. Once a month, plain water. In Winter, I water once every ten to twelve days, as they have slowed down their growing. Seems to work for my orchids, as they are all healthy & happy...Betty

P.S. I forgot to add that I am changing over to clear plastic pots with slits & holes. I want to be able to pick up a pot & check the roots without pulling the orchid OUT of the pot!

[mauraec]

Most of my orchids are in LECA ( those round or oblong clay balls...) or mounted. A few others that did not like the LECA are in a bark, perlite, charcoal mix. All get watered once a week in Spring/Summer with 1/4 teas. fertilizer per gallon of water. Once a month, plain water. In Winter, I water once every ten to twelve days, as they have slowed down their growing. Seems to work for my orchids, as they are all healthy & happy...Betty

P.S. I forgot to add that I am changing over to clear plastic pots with slits & holes. I want to be able to pick up a pot & check the roots without pulling the orchid OUT of the pot!

That's pretty much my routine, too. Mine are in the usual white semi-transparent S/H pots with 2 holes on the side (except for the fussy ones that are still in bark but may be on their way to new owners if they don't get with the program!)- but I hate not being able to check the roots, either. Can you pm me and tell me what you're switching to, exactly, and where to get it?
Thanks!

[andreaemilia]

Hello
could you tell me about the natural anti-fingals
I have 2 very nosey cats so I try to keep everything in yhe house and garden as non-toxic as possible
thanks ahead

[mauraec]

Andrea - I'm pm'ing you the information. If you don't get my message, let me know and I'll try a different way - I can't tell you anything specific on the public OT Forum (against OT's policy).

[andreaemilia]

I got the private message
Thank you again Maura

[mauraec]

No problem - my pleasure.

[jennyki]

does anyone have a problem with reservoir turning black and smelly? most of my orchids in semi hydroponic reservoir smells bad when i flush it.... but the orchids seems to be growing fine.. not sure if this is normal or not?