AMAZING roots.. But how to repot?????
 

Ok. So here are a few photos of my orchids in semi hydro. They have been converted for around 6 months. they are doing amazing. The roots on the first photo which are just insane are all new growth in 6 months. This plant had ZERO viable roots when I got it and I actually removed them all before transplanting into semi-hydro. There others roots are almost all new as well in that time frame.

SO, this is awesome, but, since I use the net pots, how should I repot them. I though maybe I could cut the pot off, but even this would be difficult. SO, should I just repot it in a larger pot with this one inside it? Would this cause issues in the long run??? With the plastic degrading? I mean long term, as I want to have these orchids for a LOONNNGG time. Help please. Thanks!

That LECA you have them potted in won't decompose, so there's no need to remove the old medium. Just drop the whole plant, pot and all, into a larger basket and fill in around the outside with more medium.

JScott's suggestion is spot-on.

When a decomposable medium is used, you usually have to cut the pots apart (very carefully) to remove the roots.

They do look great! I agree with the above. Even when using solid S/H containers, the root ball is often so tight people just pull the old plant and root ball from the container, drop it into the larger container, and fill the gap with more LECA.

Clarification
 

Thanks for the replys. Maybe I wasn't clear in the post. I am not going to change out the LECA, I was worried about having the plastic pots inside there over long period of time? When they start to break down and Leach nasty chemicals into the root systems?? So was wondering if I should try to get the plastic off so that just the leca is going on or if it is okay to plant the plastic pots inside one another over longer periods?? Like 10 years or more?? Thanks!!

I don't think plastic will release harmful chemicals as it ages. It doesn't break down much unless it gets sun shining directly on the plastic. Not much ultraviolet light gets through a window. I would not worry about the plastic breaking down.

I've only had plants in S/H for 2 1/2 years, but my understanding is that, with proper watering each time, salts will not build up in the LECA. This means thoroughly flushing with each watering. If you are only adding enough water to get the LECA wet and fill your reservoir, not flushing the whole mass of LECA, you may need to worry about salt buildup.

Is there any way you can take each plant to the sink, rinse the root ball off well, remove and replace the water in the reservoir each time? This would minimize salt buildup.

I've had plants in the same LECA for six years. And some in a pot within a pot when they were just too tough to remove. They're just fine. Key is when you see salt build-up when not doing the "traditional" First Ray type of semi-hydro, you must occasionally flush, flush, flush.

Gina, if i may ask what do you fertilize your orchids with on this method? I am wanting to transfer some of my orchids into semi-HYDRO and would like to know what I can fertilize my plants with without burning their roots! thank u in advanced

wow.. This is awesome. First time seeing plants with such amazing root system. Fantastic!

Care to share your success?

---------- Post added at 01:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:26 AM ----------

Hmm... Gina is using net pots, different from what we use for S/H.

Wondering how she flood the pots in every watering?

That's actually not "real" S/H. It's using LECA as an inert growing medium.

I think we're all addicted to root porn. j/k

awesome roots. great job.

Hi. I put regular orchid friendly fertilizer at a low strength about a 1/4 straight into the resovoir maybe 1-2 times per month. Trying to get in the habit of doing a little more often. However, that's what I have done now and haven't had any nutrient burn whatsoever.

---------- Post added at 12:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:32 PM ----------

I would disagree. It's semi-hydroponics with a different pot. The fact that they consantly sit in a water resorvior and use inorganic medium is what makes it semi-hydroponics. THe type of pot has nothing to do with whether of not it is semi-hydroponic. They are in near constant water supply. That is semi-hydroponic.

---------- Post added at 12:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 PM ----------

Thanks so much!!!

Those are some nice roots. And so did you drop them into larger pots?

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin: That's actually not "real" S/H. It's using LECA as an inert growing medium.

:twocents: And I would most respectfully disagree with you, and would clarify I was speaking of "real" S/H as in Ray's trademarked method. An orchid grown in full water culture is also not semi-hydroponics, but would fit your descriptors.

Many use LECA as an inert growing medium. A net pot in a saucer of water is unable to sustain LECA in true semi-hydroponics, as the wicking of the LECA fails due to the net pot. The dry line would always be right above water/saucer height.

Another example of LECA as an inert growing medium: I have an onc. in a two quart clear container, originally drilled with a two-hole reservoir and used in "real" S/H fashion. It didn't like the dry line, and I'm a lazy waterer.

So I dumped out half the LECA and filled the top half with a bark/sphag/perlite mix. I still water it as one would S/H (Flush) but the dry line within a day or so is well below where the LECA line is. Sounds like S/H, but it's not. It's using the LECA as an inert medium to help sustain moisture in the dryer bark mix above it. I'll try to take a picture and post later.

Don't change anything!! Orchids do MUCH better with less fertilizer as opposed to more. I'm curious to see blooms from these plants.

And the point of s/h is to grow orchids in LECA with a water well. I'd say this is achieved here, albeit with more holes in the pot. Seems like true s/h to me.

Great advice. Thanks. I'll send bloom photos in the blooming forum soon. I have a lot spiking right now!