Covering the hydroton with plastic to induce top condensation
 

Hello,

I read somewhere that one of Ray's friends covers the top of his pots with a plastic sheet so the hydroton stays wet at the top for longer periods of time and to minimize the need for watering because the evaporation rate will be minimal.

Has anyone tried that?

I have all my orchids in Semi-Hydro and they are doing very well.

Thank you in advance.

I've got mine in hydroton/bark is that what you mean by semi-hydro? How often do you water with a semi-hydeo mix?

By semi-hydro, I mean, pot holes are sealed at the bottom, and a water reservoir is created by drilling 2 holes on the side of the pot, where nutrients are available to the plant by wicking.

Watering depends on the temperature and evaporation.

Oh

That is done to maintain uniform moisture levels throughout the LECA in a dry environment, not really as a way to reduce the watering frequency, but yes, it works well.

Thank you Ray.

Does this method cause any problems for the roots since the top is covered? especially for newly transplanted cyms into semi-hydro.

The idea is simply to provide a condensation layer. The guy who originated it used Mylar sheet, and I have used 6 mil polyethylene - in both cases round disks slightly smaller than the pot diameter were used. A slit was cut from edge to center, then a hole big enough to accommodate the plant.

Open it and surround the plant, just on top of any roots and medium. There is no air barrier, so it really has no impact other than leveling the moisture content of the LECA.