Semi-Hydro Success

[cwcervantes]

I'd like to share a semi-hydro success story for two orchids and one non-orchid!

I potted up a Phal. Guadalupe Pineda that wasn't doing so well S/H and it really took -- new leaf and root growth so I decided to try out an Angraecum ellisii. It was touch and go for a few months but it has now started to grow roots straight down into the medium and is doing well! I'll say that I've been giving it special attention -- it's on a heat mat and has it's own 25 watt LED grow light about 5 inches from the top of the plant to supplement the other LEDs. Pictures are below. Old leaves show some dehydration but the newer leaves look nice!

For the non-orchid, I got sick of soil getting everywhere when I watered my Monstera deliciosa, so repotted S/H (worrying about root rot, etc.) but it readily rooted into the LECA even in the cold winter months.

[Chris in Hamilton]

Looks good Cody! Do you water with rain water?

[cwcervantes]

No, I use tap water. There's definitely what appears to be root burn ... not sure if that's from too much fertilizer or tap water. Seems to be absent from the new growth however.
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[raybark]

How much fertilizer do you add to a gallon of water, and what is its formula?

[Chris in Hamilton]

Ray has a lot more experience with clay pellets than I do but you can run into problems with mineral deposits if you're not careful. I try to use rain water because our tap water is very hard. During the colder months we either have to melt snow (very tedious) or use the tap water. Had to stop using the pellets as a potting medium and only use it in the humidity trays now. I empty out the trays, soak and rinse the pellets once a month or they start to look like they're covered in heavy frost.

[cwcervantes]

Using DynoGro Orchid Pro 7-8-6 1 tsp. per 2 gallons.
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[raybark]

Well, you're not likely to burn roots at that concentration.