Phalaenopsis in water culture

[Becca]

Originally Posted by Sun rm.N.E.

I submerged each one in nutrient solution with 1/2 teaspoon KLN/gallon to allow the roots to absorb nutrition and growth regulators before they were traumatized.
After dinner I dumped this solution and placed them in physan solution for about an hour before I started taking them out of their pots. I then proceeded to cut off all roots and rotten material with a new razor blade for each and hosed them clean. Then I treated the really bad rot with Gentian Violet and let them dry and went back to the party again.
Finally they were all transferred to disposable 12-16 ounce cups with nutrient solution.

Sun rm N.E., I was just re-reading this thread and realized I must have missed a few of the posts. Do you mean that after you do the nutrient solution with KLN and then the Phsysan treatment that you cut off ALL good and bad roots before putting it into its new growing culture?

[OrchidInEveryWindow]

I didn't have a picture of this phalaenopsis when I first put it in water culture, but it only had three leaves and hardly any roots.


There was a noticeable change in the root structure, as they adapted to living in water. The normally-linear roots began branching, which was a surprise to me.


Please excuse the poor photography. My digital camera isn't very good with indoor closeups.


Not in flower now, but it has bloomed in water a few months ago. It's interesting to see the bunch of air roots, which are growing away from the light. Are they trying to grab onto something?

So, skeptics, it seems that phalaenopsis orchids do indeed do well in water culture, and here's the proof!

[greenbean]

I definitely have to try this! I don't think I'll convert everything to W/C, but I love experimenting with things like this. I had some kind of tradescantia or a relative growing in some vases for a couple years, but I hardly ever changed the water, even though I new I should. With what I've learned from this thread I'm going to try it with orchids (but this time with proper attention)!

Thanks Orchids and Sun room!

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Orchid

Thanks for the update. It is very encouraging. It seems that the key difference seems to be that you do not submerge the top of the roots so no water gets into the crown. Apparently it works with Phals. On the other hand, when I left the rhizome-root juncture exposed to air with Cattleya I could not get rid of black rot.

Please continue to update us. If your Phals are still doing well after a year I will try again.

[Becca]

Hi Sun rm. N.E., I left a question for you a few posts above and hadn't heard back from you so I thought I would let you know it was there just in case it got missed! Thanks!

[Sun rm.N.E.]

Hi Becca

Sorry for the late reply. I just came back from a trip.
As you know good root is a relative term. I tend to leave the newest, truly healthy roots, meaning healthy growing tips and no black or soft spots. I also remove them as soon as they start rotting and cut off parts that are rotten if further back there are healthy new branches.

No matter how healthy they look initially very few roots will last long if they were not formed in water. It also depends on the plant. In my experience the ones with any damage rot too quickly to be of much use but create a big mess to clean up later and the environment can be very unhealthy for new roots. In the example I was referring to above I simply had too many orchids to keep cleaning at once if I left on old roots. Also, the weather was warm, the plants were young, well hydrated enough so I can't say if it made much difference that they started without roots. I think, that over the years I have learned to select plants that have a potential for healthy new growth and pass up the very sick or dehydrated ones unless I have time to experiment.

I hope this is helpful.

[Becca]

Thank you Sun rm. N.E.!

[Ranchnanny]

Very Very Interesting. The only house plant I grew well in water were African violets. They would rot in potting soil but thrived in water.

Sheridan

[greenbean]

Huh, I've never heard of African violets in water before. But then again, I hadn't heard of orchid water culture until recently either! Very interesting to know, Sheridan! Luckily, my sole African violet's only problems are whether or not my parents remember to rotate it and keep its reservoir filled while I'm at college.

Actually, really not a laughing matter. It was a sad caricature of itself last time I went home!

[VickiC]

I agree with the others...this is interesting. Thanks for sharing your success. I certainly wish I could do it, but the thought of water culture is a little scary to me. I've never been good with trying new things, though. I'm one of those "if it's not broke, why fix it?!" kind of people. I might water culture an "experimental shot", though....one orchid for now.

I would like to know more about it, if you don't mind. Would you mind clueing us in on more of the culture details?

The first thing that came to mind is: why the need for daily water changes....how can algae develop if you do that? Also, at what point did you stop changing the water each day? Did you not have a problem with root rot before algae came into the picture? I believe I read that you grow algae in a container. Am I correct? If so, do you use it or fresh water to top off the orchid water? If you don't use it for topping off, what do you use it for?

I know I am full of questions, and I do apologize. I just see how nice your orchids look and wish I could have luck with water culture, too. Once, at least.

I saw that you were discussing this with Sun. rm NE, so if anyone else can offer advice....please clue us in.
Thank you in advance,
Vicki

Originally Posted by OrchidInEveryWindow

Phal bellina 'Montclair' was removed from its shipping pot and placed in this vase with ordinary tap water on 7/11/08. The blossom opened on 8/4/08. A weak solution of Dyna-Gro plant food helped the algae develop, which provides oxygen to the roots and prevents slime mold from developing. I had to wash the roots and change the water almost daily at first, due to the mold problem. Now it's only necessary to keep the water topped up and changed every few days. Advantages over s/h? You can see the roots! Are they healthy, growing, rotting? Plus, fancy vases look better than plastic buckets full of rocks. I switched all orchids and houseplants to water culture, and all are doing well. No more surprises of ants pouring out of clay pots during watering, either. That one alone was worth the change. (ants are a big problem here in South Florida)
I also have Phal Orchid World, Phal brother wild thing and Phal Sogo Rose blooming in water.