LECA container question - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 07-18-2008, 10:23 AM

I've been reading more about Semi-Hydroponic culture, as well as your helpful comments/answers to my questions. I have another one, though: I am having trouble picturing in my mind what the container(s ?) for this look like. One type inside of another...or how? As I have been searching S/H-LECA info, I also looked for a photo of the container system...but was unable to find one I could see more than just the pot itself...couldn't see holes...what else is involved, container-wise? Would any of you mind posting a photo of S/H containers?
Thanks again,
Vicki

Becca · #2 07-18-2008, 11:44 AM

Hi Vicki! Semi-hydro containers aren't necessarily a two part container, while I think there are some out there on the market, there are much more simpler ones. If you look in the store at Welcome to First Rays Orchids, you will find the containers available for sale, and probably cheaper then the two part systems. All the containers that I use I purchased from Ray, and it is pretty much a container with two holes about an inch up from the bottom. This creates the water reservoir. There are no additional holes or slits on the side of the pot. And when you water, you just water until the water reaches the top of the pot and then let it flush out, you can water as much as you want or as little as you want, but I try not to let the water reservoir get to empty/low. I hope this helps you some! Sorry I don't have a photo of mine handy at this time to post!

Just found a picture of the s/h containers in my gallery:

VickiC · #3 07-18-2008, 12:23 PM

OH....HOW SIMPLE.

Duh lol. Thank you so much, Becca, for taking up your time to answer my "very basic and simple question" in detail. You have really made it easy for me to understand (guess I have too much blonde

lol) I started to order the starter kit from Ray this morn., but decided not to because I definitly want to start this system with many of my plants, so I'll certainly need more items than in his starter kit. I'm gonna go take inventory of my plants....how much media?/medium? I will need....pots, etc....whatever he suggests. Thanks again, Becca. I'm excited now.

Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca

Hi Vicki! Semi-hydro containers aren't necessarily a two part container, while I think there are some out there on the market, there are much more simpler ones. If you look in the store at Welcome to First Rays Orchids, you will find the containers available for sale, and probably cheaper then the two part systems. All the containers that I use I purchased from Ray, and it is pretty much a container with two holes about an inch up from the bottom. This creates the water reservoir. There are no additional holes or slits on the side of the pot. And when you water, you just water until the water reaches the top of the pot and then let it flush out, you can water as much as you want or as little as you want, but I try not to let the water reservoir get to empty/low. I hope this helps you some! Sorry I don't have a photo of mine handy at this time to post!

Just found a picture of the s/h containers in my gallery:

Becca · #4 07-18-2008, 01:04 PM

Hi Vicki! There is no such thing as to much blonde, as I am blonde as well!

I thought I might offer some advice off of a comment you just made about not order the starter kit because you want to try the system with many of your orchids. I would strongly recommend only trying a few at a time, and then I would give those a 3 to 6 months to see how well they do and see if you are happy with it, what works for one person doesn't always work for others and I would hate to see you lose many plants if it doesn't work well for you. I have to say for some of my plants, I swear it took like a year to see them turn around. Remember that the current roots will rot off and the new roots will adapt to the culture, this is why it is recommended to only switch a plant if it has new roots growing! I have learned the hard way unfortunately!

VickiC · #5 07-18-2008, 01:28 PM

Thank you again, Becca....from one blonde to another....

I will certainly take your advice and only order enough items necessary to transfer just a few of my plants now...rather than many of them yet. Also, I'm glad you told be generally what to expect, as far as plant adapting time goes. I really do thank you for your help...every bit of info I can gather is well taken and appreciated.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca

Hi Vicki! There is no such thing as to much blonde, as I am blonde as well!

I thought I might offer some advice off of a comment you just made about not order the starter kit because you want to try the system with many of your orchids. I would strongly recommend only trying a few at a time, and then I would give those a 3 to 6 months to see how well they do and see if you are happy with it, what works for one person doesn't always work for others and I would hate to see you lose many plants if it doesn't work well for you. I have to say for some of my plants, I swear it took like a year to see them turn around. Remember that the current roots will rot off and the new roots will adapt to the culture, this is why it is recommended to only switch a plant if it has new roots growing! I have learned the hard way unfortunately!

Royal · #6 07-18-2008, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Becca

Hi Vicki! There is no such thing as to much blonde, as I am blonde as well!

I thought I might offer some advice off of a comment you just made about not order the starter kit because you want to try the system with many of your orchids. I would strongly recommend only trying a few at a time, and then I would give those a 3 to 6 months to see how well they do and see if you are happy with it, what works for one person doesn't always work for others and I would hate to see you lose many plants if it doesn't work well for you. I have to say for some of my plants, I swear it took like a year to see them turn around. Remember that the current roots will rot off and the new roots will adapt to the culture, this is why it is recommended to only switch a plant if it has new roots growing! I have learned the hard way unfortunately!

Very good advice. Ray warns against whole-collection changovers too.

cirillonb · #7 07-18-2008, 02:05 PM

I would re-emphasize not doing an entire collection transition. I started with the Starter Kit and a few more but am watching these carefully. To be honest, I'm not that impressed yet. Could be timing the switch incorrectly (Ray strongly recommends when actively growing.)
Good luck but experiment first. If it works, it is a real maintenance saver.
Nick

VickiC · #8 07-18-2008, 02:59 PM

Hi!
Thanks so much. After reading Becca's reply, I placed an order at Ray's, but for just enough to transfer a few plants. Actually, now that both of you have emphasized the same thing, I see the importance of going at it a lil at a time....baby steps, so to speak, (lol) so I'm certainly going to take your advice. Actually, after reading your posts and thinking more about transferring plants, I looked at my Orchids again, and realized exactly what you were saying...some may like the change, and some may not, so I'm just gonna "test the water" for now.

Thanks again,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirillonb

I would re-emphasize not doing an entire collection transition. I started with the Starter Kit and a few more but am watching these carefully. To be honest, I'm not that impressed yet. Could be timing the switch incorrectly (Ray strongly recommends when actively growing.)
Good luck but experiment first. If it works, it is a real maintenance saver.
Nick

Becca · #9 07-18-2008, 03:55 PM

I just wanted to add that it doesn't always take so long for the orchids to adapt. Some took right to it, others well....didn't make it...lol....I have paph's and catt's in it, one paph is going to bloom soon, and well like I said before, I have had a couple paph's not make it....I have tried phals, but I potted them at the wrong time, and I wasn't patient enough, one died and I yanked the others out....., I have a few catt's and they took a while to turn around, it really takes a lot of patients and a lot will depend on your growing conditions as well. I wasn't thrilled at first either, but I found that a lot of my problems were due to my growing conditions (low humidity before I bought my orchidarium)....but the one's that have been in it for a year now are really starting to do great so I haven't given up on the s/h method.