Solutions for underwatering...

[Ordphien]

I need solutions for underwatering. I'm a chronic underwaterer.
This is true of my gardening life too.

I'm currently adhering to a watering schedule that I've written down, but I was wondering if anyone had any tips.

Different media to try... anything that helps really.

I know there's not many solutions beyond "water more" but I'm still struggling with that. So... yeah.
This question seems so vague to me.

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[Ray]

You might consider Semi-Hydroponic Culture

[WhiteRabbit]

Do you forget to water? Or think they can go longer than is the case?

[AnonYMouse]

I'm a inconsistent waterer and S/H has worked out great for plants that survived the switch. All my catt hybrids are growing and one rebloomed since I changed them over 6± months ago. I have two Oncs. (ornithorhynchum and a Twinkle type NoID) in S/H. The ornithorhynchum is exploding with roots and growth in 3 months and the Twinkle is following in similar fashion but a few weeks behind.






One thing about the Oncs is they get mild crusty salt deposits, the composition of which I don't know, from the water or fert. None of the other S/H plants has this problem.

I give those as examples of the water requirement disparity of my plants in S/H. It's not a miracle method, though. I have had failures, some I know what I did wrong, others I've killed every Phal that tried S/H

[blackvine]

Wow. Beautiful roots!!

[james mickelso]

Are you sure that you under water? What are your symptoms? I ask because I see so many folks on here that think they are watering properly while their roots are dying and they wonder what the problem is. I water about once a week and sometimes every 10 days and my orchids are coming along just fine. So I am wondering what makes you think you are under watering. Besides S/H their are other media you can try to help your roots stay hydrated. Pics would help.

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by Ray

You might consider Semi-Hydroponic Culture

I have given it a couple passing thoughts lately. But I think my window might get too cold.

Originally Posted by WhiteRabbit

Do you forget to water? Or think they can go longer than is the case?

Both really. Sometimes I look up and realise I haven't watered at all in quite some time. And sometimes I look at them and think... eh they can go another day.

Originally Posted by AnonYMouse

I'm a inconsistent waterer and S/H has worked out great for plants that survived the switch. All my catt hybrids are growing and one rebloomed since I changed them over 6± months ago. I have two Oncs. (ornithorhynchum and a Twinkle type NoID) in S/H. The ornithorhynchum is exploding with roots and growth in 3 months and the Twinkle is following in similar fashion but a few weeks behind.






One thing about the Oncs is they get mild crusty salt deposits, the composition of which I don't know, from the water or fert. None of the other S/H plants has this problem.

I give those as examples of the water requirement disparity of my plants in S/H. It's not a miracle method, though. I have had failures, some I know what I did wrong, others I've killed every Phal that tried S/H

Nice roots!
I'm good with phals and catts thankfully. They like me.
Almost everything else doesn't.

I might try sh on this oncidium that's struggling.
I do live right next to a hydroponics store.

Originally Posted by james mickelso

Are you sure that you under water? What are your symptoms? I ask because I see so many folks on here that think they are watering properly while their roots are dying and they wonder what the problem is. I water about once a week and sometimes every 10 days and my orchids are coming along just fine. So I am wondering what makes you think you are under watering. Besides S/H their are other media you can try to help your roots stay hydrated. Pics would help.

Wrinkled psuedobulbs, wrinkled leaves, desiccated roots, yellowing leaves.
My media is normally bone dry within a few days of a good long soaking.

I don't think it's super dry here either.
It's not humid.
We hit a 40% low each winter.
I'll get pictures of the plants I'm killing.


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[james mickelso]

If you are in SoCal you shouldn't have to water as much as if you were somewhere back east. Love to see some pics. Here's my set up and I water once a week to 10 days. More for the smaller potted plants and much less for the larger ones. I just built a small GH in my folks back yard as I have moved to a motorhome. It's covered in plastic with a small fan but no heat or other water. And here's my standard loose coarse media I plant most of my orchids in and it really dries out quickly. I'd love to see where you grow yours and what they are potted in along with your conditions. Where in SoCal are you?

[WhiteRabbit]

Do you use skewers?

[Ordphien]

Originally Posted by james mickelso

If you are in SoCal you shouldn't have to water as much as if you were somewhere back east. Love to see some pics. Here's my set up and I water once a week to 10 days. More for the smaller potted plants and much less for the larger ones. I just built a small GH in my folks back yard as I have moved to a motorhome. It's covered in plastic with a small fan but no heat or other water. And here's my standard loose coarse media I plant most of my orchids in and it really dries out quickly. I'd love to see where you grow yours and what they are potted in along with your conditions. Where in SoCal are you?

I'll get the pics later. Half my giant pine fell off this morning so I'm doing that lol.

I'm in zone 23 about 10 minutes from Laguna Beach.
Just on the other side of the 5.

My orchids are all in various grades of barks mixed with varying amount of sphag. Some have charcoal or perlite thrown in.
I see your using lava rock.
Maybe I should try some of that. It holds a fair bit of moisture near me.


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