Trying semi-hydro for three orchid plants

**jowben1** · March 6th, 2011, 12:01 PM

I also find the holes too low on purchased SH pots.On the ones I make from 2 liter bottles, I put the holes 2" to 3" up from the bottom.

**PBaez** · March 6th, 2011, 04:54 PM

Since this got bumped up, how are the plants doing, Kathy?

**jowben1** · March 6th, 2011, 05:26 PM

Most are doing fine.... My problem is the small plants, right out of a flask .....

**Kmac** · March 6th, 2011, 08:12 PM

All are doing OK, but not sure any are happier than they would have been in a traditional mix. It seems to set them back a little at first, as they have to adjust. Then they start settling in.

In the past 4.5 months, the Howeara lava burst has had 4 new growth starts. The first, which was starting before I switched it, rotted right away, The second I accidentally broke. The two newest ones are still small, but look healthy. Since this plant was not happy at all before, I think it is definitely better off.

The phauis seems happy, and has put out new growth.

The phal is in bloom now, but oldest leaves are fading (normal), and newer ones are smaller than the old ones. It is well-anchored, but hardly a mass of strong new roots. Meanwhile, the phal I planted in bark about the same time (which had damaged roots) has tons of healthy new roots, and is not in bloom yet, but has a good spike going. And, its newer leaves are bigger than old ones.

I'm not giving up on S/H, as I am hoping that as they overcome the adjustment, we'll see more benefits. And.,I just started a new experiment...divided my Mtssa Royal Robe "Jerrys Pick" into 3 divisiond and put one division in S/H. The experiment continues!

**PBaez** · March 6th, 2011, 09:21 PM

So, it seems like a toss up.

**Kmac** · March 7th, 2011, 08:55 AM

Yeah, right now I am not convinced either way. I'll leave the howeara & phauis in it, I think. And I will give the phal a bit more time, as I hear they really do well in it once they adjust. The Mtssa is an experiment. I have a maudiae type paph NOID that I may try in it as well...I think they are supposed to do well in it also. But for now, most stay in bark mix.

**Kmac** · April 7th, 2011, 11:22 AM

OK, the phal is officially dead. The keiki that was on it (but rootless) when I started now has small roots, but they don't go down into the media yet. I am trying to decide, but I think I will try and put it in spag bag just long enough to get the roots going, then into traditional media. The mother plant's roots are dead, and leaves are pretty much gone. I think it did not get enought moisture...as some noted, the holes on the S/H container were pretty low, and it didn't seem to wick well all the way up to the top.

The phaius and howearea are fine...still small, but have healthy new growth.

The Mtssa division I stuck in S/H a month ago seems to like it just fine.

**Kmac** · July 24th, 2011, 09:45 PM

Another update...the phal, as noted before, died. The new growth on the phauis never grew much, and started rotting after a bit. The Mtssa division got worse looking over time, and I just repotted it...almost no viable roots at all, and a smelly black slime at the bottom of the pot.

The howeara is still fine, but the new growths are growing slowly. I'll leave it in there for a bit longer before I call the whole experiment a total loss, but I am not impressed with S/H so far.

**thepiecesfit** · February 13th, 2015, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by Kmac

Another update...the phal, as noted before, died. The new growth on the phauis never grew much, and started rotting after a bit. The Mtssa division got worse looking over time, and I just repotted it...almost no viable roots at all, and a smelly black slime at the bottom of the pot.

The howeara is still fine, but the new growths are growing slowly. I'll leave it in there for a bit longer before I call the whole experiment a total loss, but I am not impressed with S/H so far.

I haven't had any luck with Phal's in hydroton. My Cliva Miniata is doing pretty well. Guess its fairly dry in my home but not sure why the hydroton is just a bad fit for me. I even bought Phals in moss and the transplant didnt take. Mostly slowly wither and end up dying and all the roots rot.

What is the secret? I would love to grow them in hydroton but it never seems to work for me. I am in NYC by the way and we have some of the cleanest water.