Return to the Orchids Forum
| Post a Follow-Up
Trying Out Semi-Hydroponics
| | |
Posted by
tillygrower 7b (
My Page) on
Sun, Mar 3, 13 at 0:59
| Last summer I decided to give s/h a try, using PrimeAgra LECA. I moved a few phals from bark and a few from moss to LECA. All plants lost a leaf or two, a few plants showed some good new root growth, and I lost one plant. I'm growing my plants indoors, on windowsills. None of the phals are fully established in the new media, but they all seem to be suffering somewhat (leaves have slowly gotten more ridged and dehydrated looking). The plants are definitively getting adequately watered. I'm wondering, however, if the dry indoor air is causing too much evaporative cooling of the plants in s/h, making them unhappy. Does anyone have experience successfully growing orchids in s/h indoors, without a greenhouse environment? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Trying Out Semi-Hydroponics
| | |
| I have way too many orchids all in LECA on windowsills of south facing windows. I have only lost one or two on transfer to LECA mostly I think due to when I made the transfer. Following Ray's advice I now try to only transfer most orchid varieties after flowering when new root formation is happening. I also use KLN rooting hormone and keep the plants on a seedling heating mat for at least 2 weeks (also something I think that Ray recommends). However, in my experience Phals transfer just fine even when blooming. This winter I have had some problems with established Phals that I think are related to how cloudy and cool it has been in my normally warm and sunny apartment. I am trying to remedy this by using heating mats and so far that does seem to be working. |
RE: Trying Out Semi-Hydroponics
| | |
| Karen451, thanks for the reply. I'm wondering if I keep my house just too cool for using s/h. It's usually 70 during the day, and down to 62 at night. To compensate for the cooler temps, I have also been keeping the plants on seedling heating mats. They still seem relatively unhappy. I'm trying to decide if I should persevere, of if it's likely to be a no-go with the temps in my home during the winter. |
RE: Trying Out Semi-Hydroponics
| | |
| I've only tried a couple of phals in S/H and lost them. However, every oncidium I've ever put into the stuff grows like gangbusters. Sorry I don't have any pertinent advice. |
RE: Trying Out Semi-Hydroponics
| | |
| I dont think that your temps sound too different from mine in winter and I would think that the mats should help, but I defer to others on that question (bear in mind that you actually need a drop in temps to get some orchids to bloom). But going forward, your description of your plants makes me think that root rot has set in. I would take one plant out of its pot and check. I would cut off all the black and soggy roots and then put the phal back into clean LECA. I would then treat with KLN at the concentration recommended for Rockwool, and keep the plants out of the sun but on a heating mat for at least 2 weeks. |
RE: Trying Out Semi-Hydroponics
| | |
| In my experience, you need to keep phals in S/H at least at 65 degrees or higher. Mine really struggled when the night temps dropped below 65. In fact, I've moved all of my phals out of S/H because of the winter house temp issues. They did great in S/H other than the cold winter temps. Good luck, Bob |
RE: Trying Out Semi-Hydroponics
| | |
| Given the issue that the roots might be kept too cold with the reservoir at the bottom causing evaporative cooling, what about just using the PrimeAgra alone, in a regular pot, rather than a s/h pot? |
RE: Trying Out Semi-Hydroponics
| | |
| Many people use primeagra as a potting medium alone outside of S/H. Or at least hydroton (cheaper). People love to use it particularly for plants that like a ton of air at their roots/ really like to get dry quickly like Vandas and assorted hybrids |
RE: Trying Out Semi-Hydroponics
| | |
| I'm a late to the party, but try insulating underneath the heat mats. You can lose a lot of heat down through the table if you're not careful. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Amzn reviewer explains about insulation.
Post a Follow-Up
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in.
If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Orchids Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.
