Potting and Watering Guidance

[Stella1979]

Originally Posted by MrHappyRotter

It sounds like you might as well look into semi-hydro.

If you absolutely refuse to use leca, you may be able to get away with using other rigid, inert materials for this technique. Lava rock might even be acceptable for this purpose.

Thank you. I have looked into SH some. Would you say it has any benefits over self-watering using a closed reservoir and a wick?

---------- Post added at 10:42 AM ---------- Previous post was at 10:30 AM ----------

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

Summer goal of less watering is gonna be a hard one, regardless of your media choice.

I don't know what your water tests out like (and couldn't help you if you told me, but lots of others here could). I also have a problem with RO water waste. It bothers me to see so much go down the drain. When I had aquariums set up I used the water changes, but that doesn't help with a reef aquarium. In the summer I use water from my pond. I try to usually collect the runoff from RO, and use it on houseplants who don't mind.

With a 100+/- orchids, almost all in S/H, it's a LOT of water. The past few years I decided to only water orchids that were sensitive (paph, phrag are examples) with R/O and use tap water on the rest. Plus I'm getting older and can't schlep around water like I used to. So that's a thought... research which orchids tolerate or prefer your tap water, and only use R/O on the ones that require it.

There's an OB member here who uses lava rock a LOT. Can't remember who. Hopefully they'll chime in with their experience with it.

I understand and don't mean to imply that I'm looking to or willing to withhold water. I suppose I just feel that I may have overstepped with the amount of ventilation in the pots. I mean... if I'm honest, I'm just super jealous when I hear of folks in similar climates that don't have to water up to twice a day in the summer, (namely, Ms. OG).

That is definitely a good idea as far as using tap for less sensitive orchids. Why didn't I think of that? Because I'm scared of the TDS meter reading at nearly 400. Plants, fish, and humans alike use filtered/remineralized water around here. However, I only know for sure that it's full of nitrates and calcium, so who's to say it's very bad for all orchids? I will do some research and probably test it out on a noid Phal or two. Thanks!

Oooh... I hope the lava rock expert can chime in. I'm particularly interested in its wicking and moisture retention properties... versus lecca that is. Idk, lecca annoys me but I suppose the problem is that it floats and rolls, and I will deal with that if it's best for the 'chids.

[MrHappyRotter]

Originally Posted by Stella1979

Would you say it has any benefits over self-watering using a closed reservoir and a wick?[COLOR="Silver"]

I haven't done the wick thing with orchids, though I've seen it used successfully for things like African violets in the past. So, I'm sure other people would be more qualified to answer this than me.

The biggest benefit I can think of is that semi-hydro is the simpler approach. Fewer parts tends to translate into an easier to maintain and more reliable system.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Stella1979

Thank you. I have looked into SH some. Would you say it has any benefits over self-watering using a closed reservoir and a wick?

Wicks work OK when applied to tightly-packed media like soil, where the capillary action of the fine crevices pull the moisture away from the wick, so it can "refill" and bring in more moisture.

In more "open" airy media like those used for orchids, the capillarity may happen within the individual particles, but is very poor between particles, so a wick will not have the capability of delivering water widely. With semi-hydroponics, the transfer is enhanced, as the "wick" - the LECA sitting in a reservoir - is so much larger.