S/H system

[gidi]

i read the Do-it-Yourself about Semi-Hydro orchid growing and I'm puzzled about two things:

1. how can you control the roots not getting to the area that is always wet
i guess when you repot the orchid into the S/H pot you can place the roots in the area of the media that is above the draining holes, but what happens when the roots grow and go deeper into the wet area?
i thought of putting a different typr of media such as transparent acrylic balls or stones so it's poss to see the roots and for light to reach them.

2. from time to time there is a need to fertelize the plant, that means the fertilize substance will acumulate in the bottom of the pot, since there are now drill holes on the bottom of the boot with time more and more fertilze will absorve there, when the roots will reach that area won't it kill the plant due to an over dose of fertilization?

[cindiras]

1. The roots that grow into the water at the bottom of the pot are acclimated to the wet conditions and will actually grow in water. When you first pot up into S/H, it is wise to keep the old roots above the water reservoir.
2. Fertilizer build-up- prevention requires flushing once a month. The long soak in clean water also 'recharges' the clay pellots with moisture. Even though the pellots wick water up to the roots of the plant, the pellots themselves dry out over time and the wicking action appears to be less when they dry. to do the soak. put the S/H pot in a larger container, fill to the top with clean, room temperature water and allow to soakfor a few minutes. Pull the S/H pot out, pour off the used water, do the same thing again to flush the system.
3.Glass marbles or the colored glass stones don't have as good a wicking action as the clay pellots provide. You'ld have to watch your orchids more closely to be sure they are drawing water.

[gidi]

thanks for the inormation
it's poss to mix the media with clay pellots and transparent acrylic pellots to enjoy both worlds.

[cindiras]

I haven't tried a mixed medium with S/H. If you choose to expirement, please let us know how it goes. Expirements are very interesting!