Orchids in water culture

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Becca

Yes all roots not developed for water culture will have a short life. However as you can see in this picture of a Den keiki, rotting roots (center of picture where I pinched off the rotting parts) can actually put out new functioning branches which seem to help develop brand new roots. You can also see the brand new roots, so I am not concerned that the old ones will not last long. It is producing a new growth and did not seem to skip a beat. It really depends on the plant. Some Oncids that did very poorly eventually showed typical signs of virus. My cheap virus test

I must add that I use growth stimulators, KLN in this case. Just a couple of drops per gallon with every change after the initial heavier priming when I first put them in water culture. I also try to keep the ambient temperature above 70degrees F most of the time.




I have not tried Paphs and and Phrags. Phals I found too much of a bother since the water kept creeping up into the crown which required too much cleaning. However, someone on another forum grew a couple of Phrag. seedlings in a vase and reported that they bloomed ahead of schedule.