angraecum leonis in S/H
 

Hey,

I just noticed that my angraecum leonis developed some fluffy white stuff ( mould? ) on the roots after just 1 week in LECA.

Any clue what it is, if harmful and how do I get rid of it?

I had repotted it into LECA since the bark was mouldy to start with.

please.gif :help:

The angraecums are notorious for their need of happy breezes. Perhaps increasing the airflow with a cheap fan would help. :)

I scrubbed the roots with water peroxyde and drenched the LECAs in bleach.
...Also broke off some roots by error :(

Will see if the white stuff comes back.

Was curious if the holes in the bottom of the container had any significant bearing on the airflow. I have a fairly small hole just enough to drain since it's a big pain in the ass drilling glass.

Almost all my angraecoids are mounted; I don't think many of them really enjoy "permanently" wet roots like you would get in S/H. I have one sesquipedale in LECA (but not really S/H); it alternates between being happy and sad. They do seem to enjoy air movement. leonis has very "succulent" leaves, which I suspect (like with the Sobenikoffias) it comes from a fairly dry area (I don't have my angraecoid book to hand), and may indicate an intolerance to excessive damp. That said, there may be ways of making the "damp" less of a problem, like a heat mat.

Sounds like mycorrhizal fungus, some of you may disagree with me but, it was probably innoculating into the roots which would help fertiliser absorption if you use the organic kind, I've also read that mycorrhiza seem to help with dealing with plant stress. However i would agree with Discus, and probably not keep roots as moist.

From what I've been reading almost any orchid can do S/H.

Also it seemed to be the holy grail of never overwatering. Just make sure the reservoir is full, and the plant will be happy. Have I misunderstood what is S/h ?

a shot of the fungus:
http://img547.imageshack.us/img547/3369/img4186i.jpg

I really haven't tried semi-hydroponics so I cannot say. The Angraecum website I liked is no more so I can't really send you there to do research. I grow all the other angraecums in straight red lava rock except elephantinum, which is mounted. Leonis is in a mix of sphagnum and lava rock, tiny pot.
Not all orchids, I think, would be able to grow hydroponically. I have a few cattleyas that really like to have their roots dry quickly. :)

Molds tend to grow on weak-, or damaged, decomposing organic matter. Old roots from a drier medium moving into s/h culture can become stressed by the new environment, and start to fail. That's why it is best to transfer a plant into s/h just when brand new roots are emerging.

The fact that the bark was moldy means you probably had some compromised roots to start with, and carried mold over yo the new pot.


Ray Barkalow
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I cancelled experiment.
Problem is Ang Leonis does not grow roots to quickly..