Phrags in Semi hydroponic

[quiltergal]

Originally Posted by Ray

In "domesticated" orchid culture, we are trying to find a method to provide everything the plants need, but in a manner that is convenient for the grower, and not trying to duplicate the plants' environment in nature (I hope my words are properly expressing my thoughts here). In nature, the plants are often growing in very much of a "survival" mode, while we try to optimize the culture.

To paraphrase what I think Ray is saying (correct me if I'm wrong Ray). Duplicating the way orchids grow in the wild isn't always the optimal way to grow them. Often we can provide far superior conditions, and when plants are grown with that culture they thrive and flourish. Nature often provides only the minimum requirements needed to flower. Why not provide the maximum?

I have a Phrag. Jason Fischer that I think I'm going to move to S/H in the spring. I'm currently doing the saucer thing too.

[Des]

Ray is right and you would be surprised to see just how many orchids grow with "wet feet " in nature

[Ray]

Exactly, Terri & Des!

We have been "conditioned" over the years to avoid wetness, and incorrectly perpetrate the myth that it's bad. In reality, we avoid a constantly-wet environment as a way to avoid suffocating the roots and decomposing the medium quickly, which also does just that.

Constantly moist, but with plenty of airflow to the roots is exactly what many of the plants want.

[Brooke]

Terri I almost killed my Jason Fischer in s/h and have had to bring it back from the dead. I finally got some roots back on it and I put it into fine bark/perlite/charcoal mix sitting in a saucer again.

Good luck with yours in s/h - I might have gotten a funky one that had a bad reaction.

Brooke

[lindad3406]

Originally Posted by Ray

Linda, if you're growing with the plants standing in a tray of water, you ARE growing semi-hydroponically, just not with an inert medium.

.

So, Ray, you are saying that I can slip my bessae/phrag collection right into LECA without much stress?

[ladyslipper]

Originally Posted by lindad3406

So, Ray, you are saying that I can slip my bessae/phrag collection right into LECA without much stress?

Hi Linda, I have this same question. I was not planning on setting up a s&h grow area but thought changing at least my Bessae (sp) into LECA & watering it. Right now although I water mostly frequently with RO water alone, I do put a small bit of regular tap water in with the RO in addition to the times I fertilize with a diluted fertilizer.

I admit th being a lazy grower & don't want to be any more a slave to my obsession than I already am.

m

[Becca]

Well, after Ray's reply....I am going to start soaking some PrimeAgra tonight to make the switch as soon as possible.

[littlefrog]

I grow most of my phrags in semi-hydro. Most do much better for me that way. Including straight besseae, which dies if I try it any other way.

Long petal phrags, or at least most of them in my experience, prefer to be grown out of semi-hydro. They like to dry out a bit more. Hybrids are a bit easier than the long petal species to adapt to semi-hydro.

[mojomick]

I have about ten phrags in s/h. They all grow extremely well and seem to be very happy. Several are in large 1 gal. plastic ice cream containers and have multiple new growths and multiple flower spikes. One of my besseae crosses has been in bloom for over 8 months and is still going strong. I don't think you can miss with phrags and s/h. mojomick