my result of semi hydro orchid growing

[espranch]

Here (hopefully) is a closer look at the new growth/LECA As everyone can see, it's working well for the 65 or so orchids I have in it. The rest...well I just haven't gotten around to it yet... Betty

[Kmac]

Betty--yours looks great! And I like your container. Looks like you have drainage all the way down the pot, rather than having a water reservoir at the bottom..is that correct? If so, I may try that with some of the LECA I have on hand.

[bumpman]

As has been shown many times among SH forums and blogs, you can make your own SH containers very inexpensively. I use the semi-clear plastic quart containers you get when buying seafood like scallops or coleslaw or potato salad at the deli counter. After eating the food I reuse the containers by drilling three or four holes about 1 to 1.5 inches from the bottom using an electric drill and a quarter inch bit. Voila - a SH container! You could use large yogurt containers, but you can't see through them and they aren't attractive. Actually I put the SH containers inside of a yogurt container when I want to soak the orchid in water or solution twice a week. But I've used all sorts of plastic containers over the years. The principles are the same. Why buy when you can recycle?

[k_andreev]

betty....your orchid looks great in this leca.

Geoff....can you show the picture of your set up in the tray?.i like to see how much the water+fertilizer for my future plants because i have a lot of regular clear pot to use.thank you in advance.

[espranch]

I've been using containers from the supermarket for a very long time...I don't care about "pretty!" I cut a slit with a heated thin piece of metal, and also make holes on the bottom with a round tool that my husband especially made for this purpose. Most of my orchids are in the large LECA, but occasionally I do use the small ( Sharry Baby ) As I said, I only water once a week...AND re-potting is soooooooooooooo easy! I just pull the orchid out of the too small container, nip off any rotten roots, & put it in a little larger container. Then fill with LECA which has been soaked over night. Simple...and it makes orchid keeping easier for me. Betty

[TwoStems]

I've had great success with roots in LECA, but so far I haven't gotten a whole lot of flowers. That's likely do to other circumstances though. I have also lost a couple of orchids to s/h but they were overwatered and not given a dry spell as they should have had. I prefer the recycling container idea. Now I just need to order more Chinese!