hydroton vs. prime agra?

[orchidjunky]

Originally Posted by Ranchnanny

Irrka, This is what I use for my 'chids' in the S/H medium. I get them at the local Cash and Carry grocers or even a resturant supply. They are 32 oz. deli containers and they are clear so I can see everything growing. They are large enough and similar in size to the two I recieved from First's Rays. I got 25 of them for under $10 . Check out the They are working great for me and I don't have a problem with them tipping over.:

TTFN - Sheridan

These kinda look like the party cups you get at any regular store? Are they bigger than those?

[Ranchnanny]

Orchidjunky, I use two sizes of containers one is a 32oz deli container and the other is a 16oz clear plastic cup. The larger ones I get at the cash and carry and the smaller ones you can get at any grocery. Its true that they may get brittle and crack but that's an inexpensive fix. I use the smaller ones for my mini catts. I did order Firsts Rays larger containers for my large Phal. Right now I am trying to conserve $$$ if you know what I mean.

Sheridan

[orchidjunky]

Originally Posted by Ranchnanny

Orchidjunky, I use two sizes of containers one is a 32oz deli container and the other is a 16oz clear plastic cup. The larger ones I get at the cash and carry and the smaller ones you can get at any grocery. Its true that they may get brittle and crack but that's an inexpensive fix. I use the smaller ones for my mini catts. I did order Firsts Rays larger containers for my large Phal. Right now I am trying to conserve $$$ if you know what I mean.

Sheridan

Cool! so I found the cups at smart and final and have already pre-soaked my hydroton.. im just curious.. so as for watering my orchids.. do you fertilize every watering.. and how exactly do i know when to water.. is it when the reservoir looks low or when the balls on top look dry? or both??!

Can you plant orchids with pseudobulbs/canes in s/h? Im just wondering cause these plants need to dry between waterings if im correct? so if the balls are always moist won't that affect the plants that have natural water storage? Maybe Ray can answer this one for me?

[Ranchnanny]

Orchidjunky - I don't fertilize every watering every third watering the rest of the time I do a water run through. I just fill up the container then let it run out. You can tell when it needs water as the bottom water depletes. What I like about it is that the medium isn't soaking wet its moist so you really can't overwater. I have Phal., Catts, Dens all in S/H and I having great success. However, the 'chids' in the orchidarium don't get watered as often due to the humidity and they are growing faster then the 'chids' out in room temps/humidity. Well maybe Ray can answer the question about psuedo bulbs. I have one and it is in s/h and I do a water run through every day and its putting out sprouts and roots all over. Those are hard because before I repotted them I had problems with pleated leaves not I don't. I sure hope this helps you. Take some so we can see your progress
I hope I answered your questions. I am sure others will give you some pointers as well. We all do things differently. What works for one doesn't always work for others.

TTFN - Sheridan

[silvio]

Sheridan, what kind of medium are you using? Is that Hydroton? It looks very similar to the one I found here at the local garden centre: the beads are nearly perfectly spherical and quite heavy (a couple times Blusana, I would guess). If mine were the same you're using, I would be happy, since I repotted most of my Phals in that

Silvio

Originally Posted by Ranchnanny

What I like about it is that the medium isn't soaking wet its moist so you really can't overwater. I have Phal., Catts, Dens all in S/H and I having great success.
TTFN - Sheridan

[Ranchnanny]

Orchidjunky don't forget to add some SuperThrive or KLN to stimulate root growth.

Sheridan