How often to water semi-Hydro?

[Spirytman]

I transferred (Abt. 2 months ago) 4 phals , a Cymbidium bi-color, and a oncidium. Right now i water once a week and then water/fertilize every other week. So far no blooms, but i do have a spike on my Cym. The question is watering frequency... Am i doing it right? I Haven't killed a single plant and i don't want to start. what do you recommend?

[chingjervis]

Hi. Whats the setup of your semi hydro? Clear plastic? Holes only at the sides? Bottom? Medium used?

I have several medium in different containers, one has pure pumice, the others has combination of pumice and LECA...

We usually use clear plastic container, for easier detection of roots and water level. We only refill when the water is dried up. And let it stay dried for a day. And refill. But sometime we refill when its at its lowest level.

What about others?

[78Terp]

I haven't allowed my s/h containers to dry out.

[Carolla]

I try not to let mine dry out, but sometimes I miss something. If I let them dry out too much, the plants suffer. My big Sharry Baby needs water every 2 -3 days, its a big plant and I didn't have a big enough container. I've got to find something for it that will work better, though the plant is great, I want it to continue to thrive. I just go by the amount of water and moisture in the containers. Most of the S/H is in translucent containers so I can see what they need.

[Spirytman]

Mine are potted in clear pots. As a medium I use clay pellets. My holes are an inch from the bottom. It usually takes a week to dry up. But I never let them dry out completely.
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[coeruleo]

i thought you were supposed to keep the water at the fill level of an inch or two? i bought plastic pots that have holes drilled at 1.5 inches from bottom.

[chingjervis]

in my experience WITH MY ORCHIDS, a day would not hurt. but I don't do this often.

[raybark]

With S/H culture, one should try to never allow the reservoir to completely dry out, and maybe more importantly, try to keep your environment such that the LECA pellets at the top don't dry out either.

As long as everything stays wet, there will be little-to-no buildup of minerals. The moment you let the solutions lose their water to evaporation, buildup begins.

And never, NEVER, only "top up" the reservoir. Always, every time you water, do so from the top, do so heavily with a lot of volume, and let it drain.

[Spirytman]

Good advice Ray. Thanks!
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[raybark]

Also.... For a plant established in semi-hydroponics, more-frequent watering is actually better than less-.