Water Culture Works

[rich63]

I just wanted to post photos of new growth of this Catt.I have since placed another Catt. into water culture,that was not growing in bark mix.I still haven't noticed anything new with that plant yet. Have Fun,Rich

[cherublace]

thanks for the update!! i'm definitely going to experiment. i found some sweeties at a good price this weekend at a BB but the price it wouldn't be a huge loss if it didn't work, however given my luck with s/h i think my chances are good that it would thrive!

[Lizgeo]

That's a great idea to hold the plant up in water.

After I read this and Becky's thread, I put some my more-than-half-dead catts in water too. I haven't seen many roots on them, but new p-bulbs are coming out at the base. I think I might have saved them through water culture

[delphiguy]

i dont understand this? shouldn't the root be rotting by now? as it is standing in water?
can someone explain ? thanks

[rich63]

I know this goes against everything we are told about Catt. culture.You may want to read Becky's post for more information about this type of culture and what is is all about.Here is a link to her thread that is more informative. http://www.rv-orchidworks.com/orchid...-moonglow.html It is really a different why to gow our chids. Have Fun,Rich

[delphiguy]

thanks, i have a few orchids without roots (got it for a bargain), that at the moment are in
a mount with coco and charcoal. if this really works then i would be happy to give this a try.

[cherublace]

hey everybody be sure to document in photos - it will be especially informative for those wondering whether water culture works. the proof is in the pudding. thanks for posting the pics!!! on another note: i have a question about placing holes in s/h containers. are they necessary? i got tired of burning holes through plastic because of the smell and just started plunking my orchids into containers without holes. so far roots and growth look great . besides the advantage of not filling containers too much is there any other reason????

[rich63]

I know that one of the reasons to have holes in your containers, is to flush out any type of extra salt build up from Fert. or hard water.I have not tried S/H. You may want to look at some other S/H threads. Sorry that I couldn't be more help. Take Care,Rich

[cindiras]

Maria, When I put my cyms in s/h, I used heavy plastic containers with handles to help with moving the big plants. I did NOT put holes in the containers for drainage. I plan to keep an eye on the plants after rains and tip out extra water. I have also been thinking about sewing "bonnets" out of netting tokeep the leca pellots in the pot if one of them tips over.

[hcubed]

RE the question about "how can this work"....

There are lots of plants that you can root this way - I have always grown cuttings from large plants for replanting this way and most will grow roots fairly quickly in a clear glass filled with water. I know with someone like my mother who doesn't always repot things that quickly, some of them just live in the glass like that, sometimes for years! I have never tried it with orchids, but I can't say I am surprised about the roots.

I would, however, like to see the long-term survival rate because I have to say, with S/H I had a lot of initial root growth but the cold, dark winter has been hard on the plants in S/H. My environment is very rot and mold prone. :-(

I think the completely submerging in water though is a very different situation to letting a plant stay sopping wet in regular potting. I would guess that it is exposure to the air that changes things. In my S/H plants, most of the problems occur above the wettest area. Underwater ought to grow algae but not necessarily mold? And the plant parts will rot/decay when they are dead, but not necessarily while alive? Just some thoughts!