Hydroton

[floradude]

Having finally located a source of Hydroton here where I live in Mexico I am eager to try it.
Which types of orchids are people potting with Hydroton?
Do you use only Hydroton or do you mix it with other medium (like bark)?

[tucker85]

I use hydroton for any orchid that needs to dry out between waterings and has large roots. Cattleyas and Laelias grow very well in it. I think it's too dry for phals and orchids with small roots like oncidiums haven't done well for me in it. It works fine by itself but I often mix it with a little charcoal and sometimes treefern fiber. One advantage of hydroton is that it won't break down so you can leave an orchid in it longer. If you mix it with bark you lose that advantage because the bark will break down. I use it in clay pots mostly. I'm sure it would be fine in other pots also. If you use it in net pots or baskets, it will dry out a little too fast. If I'm putting it in a net pot or basket I mix it about 50/50 with coconut husk chips. I have about 50 cattleyas and laelias in clay pots with hydroton and a little charcoal mixed in. They seem to love it. Good luck.

[floradude]

Thank you Tucker85. That all makes good sense. I am eager to try it on my next cat. that needs repotting.

[brewmyster]

I am in the process of changing my catts over to hydroton. Looking for a source for large quantity of it. Does anyone know of a supplier?

Mark

[sweetjblue]

I've bought from htg garden supply in Mass. They also have stores around the country with one in North Carolina. Prices are reasonable. not sure about shipping tho.


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[tucker85]

If you have a hydroponics store locally, they always carry hydroton. Check with gardening centers also. Some carry it.

[Paul Mc]

You might also try your local pet stores that sell reptiles and terrariums. Although I don't know what the quality is, they do carry them as a potential substrate for humid environment terrariums for humid loving reptiles. Somewhere I read on here that you can use them, though I don't remember the entire thread content and discussion.

[RosieC]

It depends if you are going to use it on it's own or as part of S/H (semi-hydroponic) growing.

I use it on it's own for Phals and a couple of Dendrobiums. My oncidium types love it for S/H because it's always wet and their roots just seem to love the always wet enviroment.

If you are interested in the always wet method of S/H take a look at our sub-forum. In that area we have a sticky which is where people have listed plants that do well in that growing enviorment. http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-s-h-list.html

[peeweelovesbooks]

I use 100% hydroton for everything I grow: Laelia, myrmecophila, cattleyas, epidendrums.

My heavy dendrobiums are potted in a mix of river rock and hydroton; and they love it.

I also have some Chysis potted in hydroton--although these I'm thinking of switching back to moss or hydroton mixed with a bit of moss to make it more moisture retentive.

EDITED TO ADD: I do not grow with s/h. I grow everything in clay pots (except my phals, which use moss).

[Vanda lover]

How often do you have to water using hydroton? I think S/H is very pratical because if you need to go away for a few days, they look after themselves. Anything that needs watering daily, can be a pain.