S/H water, condensation question - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 08-10-2008, 12:22 PM

Hi,
My question is: If the water level of an S/H pot reservior looks totally empty, should I refill it even though there is condensation around the inside of the pot?
That's all 'for now'. More questions from me to come in the future, I have no doubt. I always appreciate your help, so thanks in advance.
Vicki

Lene Th. · #2 08-10-2008, 02:57 PM

I do. *s*
Fill up the reservoir, that is

VickiC · #3 08-10-2008, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the help, Lena

Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lene Th.

I do. *s*
Fill up the reservoir, that is

Ray · #4 08-10-2008, 05:00 PM

Yep.

As the plant respires through its roots, and as it takes up nutrient ions from the solution, the chemistry changes. Watering more often returns the solution chemistry back to your original, "target" chemistry.

One should NOT, however, just fill up the reservoir. Doing so only gives you a partial correction. The proper watering technique is to rapidly fill the pot to the top, then let it drain. That not only completely refreshes the reservoir, it saturates- and flushes any residual mineral buildup from the medium.

VickiC · #5 08-10-2008, 05:43 PM

Oh, I misunderstood.....thank you! Since I've started S/H (and I'm guessing you know that's not been long...only a few weeks), I've been flushing the pot completely until the water ran through the holes, as you said, but only once each week (Sun.). During the week, I have only been filling the reservior. If I understand correctly now, I should flush completely each time the reservoir looks empty. Please correct me if I'm wrong again (I feel sure I have lots of blonde hair somewhere down under my brown roots

Sad, but most likely true)
Vicki

As the plant respires through its roots, and as it takes up nutrient ions from the solution, the chemistry changes. Watering more often returns the solution chemistry back to your original, "target" chemistry.

One should NOT, however, just fill up the reservoir. Doing so only gives you a partial correction. The proper watering technique is to rapidly fill the pot to the top, then let it drain. That not only completely refreshes the reservoir, it saturates- and flushes any residual mineral buildup from the medium.[/QUOTE]

Ray · #6 08-11-2008, 07:08 PM

I would not wait for the reservoir to become empty before watering.

Swamper · #7 08-11-2008, 07:20 PM

So..I guess you probably have answered this a million times Ray, but I guess one more time won't hurt. You fill up pot to the top, let it drain thereby refreshing, saturating and flushing. Great..so, can this be done as often as you want like daily or weekly without any adverse reactions, or can you overwater, which I don't see how.

VickiC · #8 08-19-2008, 07:45 PM

Hi Ray,
I don't mean to be a bother (since I've already asked basically the same question recently)...but I'm still concerned about watering in S/H. Not long ago, I asked the question below, and you said that you wouldn't wait for the reservoir to become empty to re-water. You went on to explain your answer to me indepth (thanks again, by the way) but the reason I'm still concerned is because I flushed this pot (picture attached) with water just yesterday, but I noticed only a few mins. ago that the water in the bottom was already gone. I don't mind watering daily (I'm retired and have the time), but I didn't want to re-water too often. Would you mind helping me understand again, please?
Thanks in advance,
Vicki
By the way, I hope that by replying to my initial thread, as I am doing, is the correct way to update that original thread (??)

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickiC

Hi,
My question is: If the water level of an S/H pot reservior looks totally empty, should I refill it even though there is condensation around the inside of the pot?
That's all 'for now'. More questions from me to come in the future, I have no doubt. I always appreciate your help, so thanks in advance.
Vicki

VickiC · #9 08-19-2008, 08:08 PM

I see now that your answer ("
I would not wait for the reservoir to become empty before watering") was meant as your reply to Swamper's question....not mine (duh). It all makes better sense now. lol I still have my new "watering concern", though.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by VickiC

Hi,
My question is: If the water level of an S/H pot reservior looks totally empty, should I refill it even though there is condensation around the inside of the pot?
That's all 'for now'. More questions from me to come in the future, I have no doubt. I always appreciate your help, so thanks in advance.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray

I would not wait for the reservoir to become empty before watering.

rtsingleton · #10 08-19-2008, 10:03 PM

I'm semi new to S/H but one day seems very fast for the reservoir to be drying out. Any chance it is leaking somehow? My plants reach temps of 95 degrees in the gh but it is very humid but they retain water in the reservoir for at least two weeks. If they are emptying out this fast I do not believe it would be a bad thing to refill them as they go. If you are a bit nervous just give an extra day after they empty before filling again.