Questions About S/H (Beginner)

[Windy]

Been reading up a bunch and am confused (again ).

Looking at the plant photos using S/H method, I can't tell the difference between clear plastic pots versus the S/H pots (they both have holes). What's the difference?

Also, do you still use a soaking method for watering? Or, is the pot put into a tray filled with fertilized water?

I've purchased so much stuff (fertilizer [MSU], pots, media) for my orchids and don't want to buy more. They're growing very slowly (each has progress), but I have problems keeping up with watering them. I'm thinking of trying S/H (I have a bunch of lava rock).

[slipperfreak]

I don't have tons of experience with s/h, but I grow a number of Phrags that way.

S/h pots that I have seen have holes in the sides, about an inch from the bottom, with no holes on the bottom. This way, water pools in the bottom and forms a kind of reservoir. You simply water the plant from the top, the water pools in the bottom, and the s/h medium (LECA, etc.) wicks the moisture up to the top.

Hope this helps.

[Sharon's Sheepdogs]

Windy,

Thought I'd attempt to respond to your question regarding orchid growing in S/H. I grow all of my orchids in S/H and prefer it over any other medium.

It sounds like the plastic pots you are referring to were seen on First Ray's website. I am a member of that forum also and would suggest you review the extensive information on Ray's website about S/H growing as well as joining that forum. Just reviewing the past questions and answers posted on the forum site would probably provide you with a lot of the information you are looking for.

Ray uses standard plastic orchid pots to grow his orchids in S/H's that other orchid growers use with bark, sphag etc. I believe he places all of his orchid pots into a large plastic container so that as he waters each individual pot, the water not absorbed by the medium (Ray uses prime agra which is a ceramic) drains into the tray which he then disposes of. If you go to Welcome to First Rays LLC and follow to: Home > Free Information > Semi-Hydroponics, you will find an article on potting, medium, watering etc. which I believe will answer your question in more detail.

I do not use the plastic pots that Ray uses. I purchase pots specifically made to grow orchids in hydroponics because they are self-contained and include a water gauge. I find these pots take a lot of the guess work out of when the orchid needs to be watered. Ray does not sell these pots but you can find them at either [url=http://www.hydro-orchids.com] [url] or www.interiorwater gardens.com. However, Ray's site and forum provides the most detailed information on growing orchids in S/H's that I have found anywhere.

It sounds as though you already have the lava rock needed for S/H. Just be sure that you soak the lava rock for a period of time to remove all of the dust. You then need to soak the lava rock overnight in KLN Rooting Solution along with 10 drops of Superthrive before transplanting your orchid to S/H.

However, in order to be successful growing in S/H, you need to wait until you have new roots growing before you transplant an orchid to this new type of medium. It is the new roots which will grow down and acclimate into the lava rock unlike the old roots which will eventually die off. Most orchids send out new roots in the spring which is when I transplant the majority of any new orchids I've purchased.

If you have more questions, you can post your question on Ray's forum or feel free to send me an e-mail.

Happy growing.

Sharon

[johnblagg]

I myself use old large peanut butter jars for s/h pots.I drill or melt a hole a inch or so up from the bottom on the side and then you add fertilizer mix untill it runs out the holes.you do need to soak what ever you are using for medium at least overnight first .

I take theses to the bath tub once a week and fill them to the top with plain water and let them drain several times and then take them back to the growing area and just water by spraying the top of the medium with my fertilizer mix when it drys off.

Its a great way to gro orchids.

[Sharon's Sheepdogs]

Thank you for sharing your idea with me. By coincidence, another member asked me whether it was possible to grow orchids in glass vases using S/H's. I am going to share your post with this member since you've answered his question.

Would you mind letting us know what type of medium you are using for S/H growing?

Sharon

[flyfishdoc]

Originally Posted by Windy

Been reading up a bunch and am confused (again ).

Looking at the plant photos using S/H method, I can't tell the difference between clear plastic pots versus the S/H pots (they both have holes). What's the difference?

Also, do you still use a soaking method for watering? Or, is the pot put into a tray filled with fertilized water?

I've purchased so much stuff (fertilizer [MSU], pots, media) for my orchids and don't want to buy more. They're growing very slowly (each has progress), but I have problems keeping up with watering them. I'm thinking of trying S/H (I have a bunch of lava rock).

I switched exclusively to S/H and use Ray's pots so I wanted to clear up a few things.
Ray's s/h pots are not standard orchid pots. There are no holes in the bottom. There are 2 holes on one side about an inch from the bottom. You fill each pot with fertilizer solution (what you have will work fine). You cover the holes (I use my fingers), fill the pot with fertilizer solution, then let it run out. I do not put them into another pot to soak (covering the holes gives the soak). The reservoir I have is at the bottom of the pot.
water your plants in this manner as needed to keep the bottom wet.

see All about Semi-Hydroponics for a great discussion
also S/H method explained - Orchid Forum Orchid Care

For a chronic under waterer, this has helped my plants a lot (see my other thread http://www.orchidboard.com/community...r-6-weeks.html )

[nutgirl]

Windy,

The great thing about S/H for me is the simplified watering. Instead of checking the various types each day and wondering who needs water and who can wait. I just pick a day of the week (or two, if need be) and that's when I water....everybody!

No head scratching, wondering, worrying.
And the orchids seem to love it.

Maureen