Using Capillary Action to feed my orchid barks water

[jkofferdahl]

Something about this bothers me. If you use these wicks then you'll eliminate the wet/dry cycle, keeping the roots always wet. You're inviting root rot.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by jkofferdahl

Something about this bothers me. If you use these wicks then you'll eliminate the wet/dry cycle, keeping the roots always wet. You're inviting root rot.

Sorry, John. That's a myth. If it was factual, many of the equatorial species we know and love would all be extinct, as they can stay dripping wet for months at a time.

Water does not cause rot; suffocation caused root death, and then the dead tissue rots.

I have had plants in semi-hydroponics for decades, and they've never had an opportunity to dry out.

[Orchid Whisperer]

There is a difference between orchids on a tree and a pot full of bark. I could water my mounted plants 5 times a day and they would be fine. Water that pot 5 times a day and that will hasten decomposition and suffocating mush.

I would not do the wicking, at least not with bark. Maybe LECA?

[jkofferdahl]

Originally Posted by Ray

Sorry, John. That's a myth. If it was factual, many of the equatorial species we know and love would all be extinct, as they can stay dripping wet for months at a time.

Water does not cause rot; suffocation caused root death, and then the dead tissue rots.

I have had plants in semi-hydroponics for decades, and they've never had an opportunity to dry out.

Ray, doesn't that presume air exposure? Air movement would be drastically reduced under these conditions.