potting idea, need advice - Orchid Board

bryce.martin23 · #1 07-25-2010, 04:10 PM

I was thinking about trying to make a pot that creates humidity and water on its own. I dont know if this will work and need advice to either ditch the project before even starting or give it a shot. What i was planning on doing is using a real nice concrete pot that I have been wanting to use for something for a long time. In this pot I was going to make a stand out of pvc to line the bottom half of the pot and fill the bottom of the pot with rock, keep in mind the pot dosnt have any drainage holes. Then above these rocks I was going to make a flat pvc tray and line it with screen door mesh. On top of the mesh I would use a bark mix to plant the orchids. What I was thinking is if you filled the bottom portion of the rocks up with water just below the point where the roots can get wet will this be able to keep the humidity up and ultimatly be less matinence with watering since the humidity is under the plant, and also was wondering how fertilizer buildup might effect the plant since the solids would build up in the bottom. Please let me know if this is a stupid idea or somthing worth trying. thanks

Call_Me_Bob · #2 07-25-2010, 04:15 PM

think you talking about something like semi hydroponics. check out the semi hydro, or s/h, section of this forum. and also check out firstrays.com

neb · #3 07-25-2010, 07:45 PM

I agree it sounds like the same general idea. I would probably work a little better if you used a masonry bit to make some drain holes in the side of the pot so it is like a semi hydro pot. How large of a pot is this and what are you planning to put in it? and don’t forget to post some

King_of_orchid_growing:) · #4 07-26-2010, 12:35 AM

Bro, if you can do it, more power to ya. I don't think it's stupid at all.

Go for it.

stefpix · #5 07-26-2010, 12:53 AM

The thing is the water at the bottom may become stagnant and foul smelling. it would be good to have a drain hole that you can open and close. so you can change the water once in a while.

I was wondering a similar concept. Clay pot. fill the bottom 3rd with LECA/ rocks / lava. then the medium of your choice and make the pot sit in a saucher with 1 or 1/2 inch of water or in a cache pot that has no drain hole. Would be S/H somehow. probably good for seedlings. Here in NY with remperature in the 90 even my chile pepper seedlings under fluorescents wilt. i leave some water on the tray below the pot and they perp up and look happy. And hot peppers usually like to be dry and are OK in full sun.

Izzie · #6 07-26-2010, 01:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stefpix

I was wondering a similar concept. Clay pot. fill the bottom 3rd with LECA/ rocks / lava. then the medium of your choice and make the pot sit in a saucher with 1 or 1/2 inch of water or in a cache pot that has no drain hole.

I do that for a few of my orchids- my P. stuartiana loves it. Bottom fourth is leca, the rest regular bark/chc. I keep it in a shallow saucer of water, letting it dry out a little every now and then.

stefpix · #7 07-26-2010, 01:25 AM

izzie, what other orchids like it? what orchids do not like it?

Izzie · #8 07-26-2010, 01:33 AM

I couldn't say. I've only tried it with a couple smaller catts, the phal, and an oncidium. All of them I let stay dry for a day or so after the saucer dries, or don't fill it at all if they seem to be staying humid down on the bottom.
The phal likes it, I suspect, because the LECA wicks moisture up into the bark media without making it soggy.

BobInBonita · #9 07-26-2010, 11:51 PM

I usually love any experimentation, but hate killing orchids more, so be careful with this one.

You said you want to use a concrete pot. Concrete can be quite alkaline and can leech minerals into the water. This decreases with age and curing. If it really is concrete be careful and let the pot soak in water (with many changes) for weeks to leech out the alkalinity and calcium. Clay pots are fired clay and generally don't have the same problem. Concrete is formed by a chemical reaction between portland cement and water (with sand & stone as a filler).

Other than that it sounds worth a try

EKBotanist · #10 08-01-2010, 04:38 PM

I am semi-experienced at using this method on a smaller scale, however have not tried this with orchids. One suggestion is that maybe if you're not comfortable with drilling a hole for a bulkhead or drain, just run some 1/2 inch tubing from the resevoir out through the potting media and use this as a siphon and refilling point.