multitude of roots

[clxt7321]

Got this plant today (see $10 surprize). It is growing in moss but I would like to repot it into s/h because I don't have much luck with moss. However, as you can see, the pot is filled with roots. I presume I have to get rid of as much of the moss as possible before putting it in s/h? That is going to be a challenge.

Karen H

[ScottMcC]

set aside half an hour, and clean out your kitchen sink (or if you have a garden sink, even better). now just set the root ball under the faucet and gently massage it with your fingertips and you'll slowly work out all the stuff.

the more you get out prior to s/h, the better.

[Mahon]

Isn't that a Zygopetalum? If it is, I personally wouldn't advise semi-hydroponics medium for it... Zygopetalum is a terrestrial genus, and in cultivation need a terrestrial mix or very fine medium. I don't think moss is good for it either...

-Pat

[Ray]

Sorry, I have to disagree.

There is NOTHING that says s/h culture is bad for terrestrials. It's quite good, actually.

I was afraid of trying zygo's until I had the opportunity to try it in s/h culture and it worked like a charm.

The only caveat I can share is to make sure the rhizome is AT the surface of the medium, not submerged.

[Mahon]

Originally Posted by Ray

Sorry, I have to disagree.

There is NOTHING that says s/h culture is bad for terrestrials. It's quite good, actually.

I was afraid of trying zygo's until I had the opportunity to try it in s/h culture and it worked like a charm.

The only caveat I can share is to make sure the rhizome is AT the surface of the medium, not submerged.

There most likely isn't anywhere saying that terrestrial orchids in s/h medium is bad. Out of curiosity, what terrestrial orchids have you tried? I am pretty sure that if one was to plant a Ponthieva, Triphora, Sacoila, or Cyclopogon in s/h media, the plant will die maybe within a week or two. I believe that semi-hydroponics medium is very good for some orchids. There is a way to make s/h media more efficient, yet I have no way in making the plastic pots to make it truly semi-hydroponics.

-Pat

[Ray]

I don't know enough about the cultural needs of any of those proposed examples to make a call one way or another, but there is no automatic reason any of them would die if grown in s/h culture (it's not just a medium).

For terrestrials, I have grown phaius, calanthe, ludisia, plieone, and bletilla in semi-hydroponics (not to mention untold numbers and type of house plants, tropicals, trees, vegertables and herbs). I'm curious why you'd think it would be instant death for those you mentioned.

There's nothing magic about the medium or the pots - standing a regular flower pot in a tray of water achieves the same thing. The keys are providing water and nutrition while maintining great air flow to the root system, and having the plants get acclimated to it.

[Mahon]

Originally Posted by Ray

I don't know enough about the cultural needs of any of those proposed examples to make a call one way or another, but there is no automatic reason any of them would die if grown in s/h culture (it's not just a medium).

For terrestrials, I have grown phaius, calanthe, ludisia, plieone, and bletilla in semi-hydroponics (not to mention untold numbers and type of house plants, tropicals, trees, vegertables and herbs). I'm curious why you'd think it would be instant death for those you mentioned.

There's nothing magic about the medium or the pots - standing a regular flower pot in a tray of water achieves the same thing. The keys are providing water and nutrition while maintining great air flow to the root system, and having the plants get acclimated to it.

Ray,

I assume you have done the whole s/h medium? If so, please shoot me an email, and we can discuss an advanced pot for s/h, that I have tried (I just don't use the term 's/h' for it)...

Those terrestrial species you listed are also lithophytic, and can grow in moss on trees or on the rocks... but the orchids that require symbiotic fungi to survive (i.e.; my cultivated Hexalectris spicata have to be checked for growth and fungi content just to survive) would not work in s/h. These plants are far and few, but still, I would find it impossible to grow an Aa rostrata in s/h, they would die...

The roots of Zygopetalum and Zygosepalum are more of a tuber than most orchid roots, that's why I thought that they wouldn't do to well in s/h... but according to your growing, they will

-Pat

[Tony]

Originally Posted by Mahon

I don't think moss is good for it either...

Those roots seem to disagree...

[Mahon]

Originally Posted by Tony

Those roots seem to disagree...

Long term... It is a very healthy plant!



-Pat