Best pots for semi-hydroponic system

[tieske1983]

Hi all,

Venturing onto the semi-hydroponic system with my old (and almost dead) orchids to see if I can revive them. I've been doing quite a bit of research but wanted to know where you all buy your pots? Everything I find on Amazon already has drainage holes/slots but not in the places where I want them to be (I'm starting with two holes about an inch from the bottom). I'd like to start with something affordable like plastic so not ready yet to drill holes in glass myself

Any suggestions? Many thanks!

[camille1585]

Welcome to Orchidboard!

Any plastic container will work, and you can repurpose food containers for instance, and drill your own holes. You just generally want to avoid containers that are too high since the water will have to wick up quite a distance and that can be difficult depending on humidity levels and type of leca.

As a note, S/H is not a miracle solution, and it's generally not advised to transfer ailing or half dead orchids to S/H. Ideally you want to transfer a healthy plant, and in all cases it is essential that there is brand new root growth happening before your consider transferring to S/H.

[WaterWitchin]

Yes, semi-hydro (SH) is a way of growing, but not a way of curing a dying or half-dead orchid. If they've been growing in a bark mix, etc, and killing them, then you switch them to SH with no new active root growth, you're setting yourself up to lose them. Whatever roots they have will not survive the transfer, and without new roots just commencing it will likely be their death warrant.

If you want to change the way you grow from one medium to another (bark to SH for example) then get them healthy enough first to stimulate root growth. SH is not a cure-all, it's only a different cultural method.

Welcome to OB. Ask some more questions first. For cheap effective starting pots, get some pint or quart deli containers, or tupperware type containers. Anything easily drilled. Can even start with a 2 liter soda bottle with top cut off.

Perhaps post some pictures of the orchids you're trying to save so we can help you a bit more.

[estación seca]

Welcome to the Orchid Board!

I echo the above.

[katsucats]

I buy standard 5-6" orchid pots, and then go over to Webstaurant store online and find either the Genpak SC032, if they're in stock, or the SC025, which are shorter and doesn't hold humidity as well. I use these deli containers as saucers. They are perfectly clear which makes it easy to see the water level. They are stiff unlike the flimsy saucers at Home Depot, which is conducive to water culture because you don't want water spilling due to the saucers warping when you carry them. And I find that they are easier and more adaptable, since I can fill water higher if I want, or easily flush if I want.

I will say that my method of growing is not exactly the same as Ray's S/H, so keep note and adjust accordingly.