Water Culture... what does it actually involve?

[greenbean]

Rosie,

Since you are only trying to revive your Phal with water culture, it should work just fine. Phalaenopsis only starts to have problems with long-term water culture. I had a pulcherrima keiki that I attempted to root in water culture. It rooted, but I kept it in the water and water started seeping up into the leaf axils and the top of the plant, leading to rot (luckily I had a second keiki that I was trying a different method with that worked, though I wouldn't recommend it). Phalaenopsis can be grown long-term in water culture with a little extra care taken in regards to water level and sterilization, but do better in other growing mediums.

In your situation, you don't need fertilizer or algae in the water. Some sort of rooting hormone will probably enhance your results, as others have suggested. Just watch the water level and make sure water isn't seeping up into the leaves.

If you want more info on water culture, I recommend checking out threads posted by Sun rm N.E. She has been using water culture for 5 or 6 years now. Some plants are only revived in water culture before moving to SH, a few grow as well or better in water culture.

Mostly the 2nd page:
Onc. Sharry Baby in water culture

Here's an article that Sun rm N.E. referred me to when I first started playing with water culture.
Water Culture

[RosieC]

Thanks Evan,

Those are some good links.

I will be careful about the water level. That's a very good tip.

I hope I can get it to root... then it will be time to put in to practive everything I've read about S/H

[nutgirl]

Rosie,

I don't think you'll regret the S/H.

I had this phalaenopsis in bark (2 years) and changed it to S/H last spring. The response is amazing, especially the size of the blooms and the root growth. Granted this appears to be a vigorous grower but it's still putting on quite a show. It's one of my first bloomers so I'm curious to see what the others do.

All my Phalaenopsis were repotted in S/H last spring and they are all thriving. I've seen the same response - root growth and larger blooms - in my Oncidium hybrids. Not so much in the Cattleyas but then I never can seem to get along with them anyway.

Maureen

[greenbean]

I've been wanting to try S/H too. I'm holding off because I'm not quite ready to buy new potting material when I already have other materials. I really shouldn't spend too much money since I need to pay for college right now. I'm also worried about how well orchids in S/H travel, since about half of my plants travel across the state of Washington 2-3 times a year. Though I guess it wouldn't be any worse than CHC or bark.

Maybe this spring I'll take the plunge! Certainly can't argue with the results I've seen, like yours Maureen!

[edarion]

What is S/H?

[RosieC]

Hi edarion,

It's a method of watering and is short for Semi Hydroponic. See the following link as well as the forum section for Semi-Hydroponic.

Semi-hydroponics