Trying semi-hydro for three orchid plants

[Kmac]

I've been quite curious about S/H, and so this afternoon, I repotted 3 orchids into S/H:

Hwra. Lava burst--received in early summer, a bit worse for shipping in the heat, I think. and it just never has thrived. Thanks to a recent thread here, I realized that I probably was keeping too dry. But, I am neurotically afraid of overwatering, so I am hoping that even if the orchid doesn't do any better in S/H, at least maybe I'll find the whole watering thing less stressful.


Phaius Tankerville "Rabin's Raven"--small plant, recently acquired, and I was told it might like S/H.


Purple Phal, NOID. perfectly healthy, but I know its been in that spag a while, and wanted to repot it now.

I liked the potting process...getting the media to fill in around the roots was very easy, and the plants feel well-anchored in it. Now we'll just see how they do. Any comments or advice welcome.

Kathi

[siaogu]

i am going to pot my phal violacea seedling into SH today...

[Brutal_Dreamer]

Cool Kathi, did you take any photos of the process or final product to share? Good luck to you with this!

Cheers,
BD

[Kmac]

Let me know how it does. I am curious to learn how various orchids like it.

[Kmac]

Bruce--I did not think to document the potting process, but it wasn't that fascinating. Here are the orchids this am--looks like they drank more last night, as the reservoir (esp for the phal) is down a bit:

[Kmac]

In the second phal pix, you can see a keiki...it is not quite at the base of the phal, but between two leaves. It has no roots of its own yet, so I am leaving it as is. By the time it gets roots, that bottom leaf could drop, and it would then be at the base...in which case I may just let it stay and make a bigger plant. Any thoughts there?

Kathi

[cindiras]

Kathi, One thing I found with SH- I did not put the drain holes high enough up the side of the pot, leaving the reservoir too small. I now put my drain holes one third of the pot height up from the bottom. I feel the LECA was not able to wick enough moisture to the surface/top layer of roots.

[Kmac]

I wondered about that...I bought these along with the media, and they were already punched. The hole seemed Ok for the smaller size, but for the larger pot, it seems low. I'll keep an eye on them; thanks!

Kathi

[orchid lady]

I have all my Phals. in S/H and they all love it. I used all kinds of plastic container (plastic starbucks cups, 2 liter soda bottles...) and just punched 1 or 2 holes at least 2 1/2 inches from the bottom, see photos below.

[Kmac]

Wow!