Converting to S/H culture, what products can I buy in Europe (Belgium)?

[Anthony]

As I'm having quite some orchids now, I'm thinking of converting them all to S/H culture. (or at least give it a try with some of them)

The LECA medium and the pots aren't hard to find. But where can I find the different chemicals like Physan 20 and Dyna Gro KLN in Europe?
Also, what kind of fertilizer will I need after they're repotted?

[TylerK]

Have you tried e-bay. I have probems reliably getting most of these in Canada as well and have found that e-bay or Amazon.com are often the easiest resources for supplies. It costs to ship them, but if there are no local sources sometimes it's the only choice.

There may be local equivalents though. I'd check for the main ingredients on those products and see if there are any companies in your area that sell something similar. If you have any local hydroponics stores or urban gardening centers that would be the first place to look.

Tyler

[Blueszz]

I tried to get some KLN here (Netherlands). Could find it on eBay but the shipping was too expensive. For every bottle I needed to pay more than $30 shipping costs. No thank you . You might try to get Superthrive as alternative. It will be easier to get.


Nicole

[Anthony]

Well Physan sure is the most expensive one, 8oz would cost me 5,35 € which is a good price.

(pause for dramatic effect) ... And then we get the shipping, at least 23,19 €.

I've found Dyna-Gro KLN liquid for 7,69 € + 9,10 € shipping which is acceptable, yet still looking for better deals.

[Blueszz]

Hmmm Anthony, could you provide me the link to where you find the KLN for that price + shipping? You can send me a PM with the info.

About the Physan, I don't know an alternative in Europe, but after a few weeks I can ask a fellow Orchid grower who also works in a Garden center if he knows what we could buy here.
He has a lot of contacts in several orchid society's.
Currently he is on vacation, so I can't ask him.

But about switching to S/H. Days are getting shorter allready. Growth might slow down significant in 1 1/2 month if you grow with day light only, also because the temps indoors get lower. Maybe it's wise to wait with switching them to S/H till next spring when they start new growth? That way they havel alle spring and summer to adapt and put out new roots in the LECA.
I tried switching to S/H last year but it was a disaster. I think the main fault I made was that I switched to S/H when there was active root growth, but the plants were not sending out new roots. The old roots died and there were no new ones to take over the job. I could save the plants but they were set back.
On the other hand, I have a lot of plants that are putting out new roots like crazy this month. On the Phal's it's extreme, some plants are sending out 4-5 new roots at the same time but I grow these under lights and higher temps than I can provide otherwise.

I'm by no means an S/H expert, I only can tell what might have gone wrong here.

Thank you, Nicole

[Anthony]

Thanks Nicole, wasn't thinking about that.

I have 4 Phals in the garage that are putting out roots and new spikes, so I was thinking I could repot those.

Will keep it in mind and continue searching for the products (so I can use them next spring)

[Ray]

First of all, Physan is not on the "absolutely necessary" list for semi-hydroponics.

In s/h culture, it is used to keep algae at bay, but household chlorine bleach (5% sodium hypochlorite) in the 5-7 ml/L range can be just as safe and effective.

Likewise, K-L-N is not absolutely necessary either, but it does help plants get established if they are not growing new roots.

[orchidsamore]

I have planted thousands of orchids in s/h and never used any of the products your are considering.

Physan 20 I consider to be a worthless compound. It is only an algaecide that they are trying to expand for sale. It does not even work well as an algaecide. If it worked it would be as a contact killer since it does not even claim to be systemic. Save your money and forget t.

Dyna-gro KLH is IAB root hormone and fertilizer. According to their literature the IAB, which is a good rooting hormone, is diluted at the rate fo 1,000,000 to 1. Because oft he fertilizer and a few other compounds overdosing can cause problems.

Super thrive is also IAB at probably higher dilution and Vitamin B1. Both products do some good but hardly necessary.

As you find Ebay is horrible on shipping. The sellers make their profits on the shipping rather than the products. USPS flat rate boxes to Europe cost about $12. I have shipped to Australia for $14.

I do use a product called Essentials with is Gibberetic Acid made from seaweed. It is the equalivent to IAB and available at a dilution of 10,000 to 1. It is also available as a concentrate saving shipping. I like staying organic whenever I can and you can not harm orchids from high concentrations. Keep in mind I said none of these are required for s/h culture.

Check out the results.
Essentials test results

[Ray]

Originally Posted by orchidsamore

Dyna-gro KLH is IAB root hormone and fertilizer. According to their literature the IAB, which is a good rooting hormone, is diluted at the rate fo 1,000,000 to 1. Because oft he fertilizer and a few other compounds overdosing can cause problems.

Super thrive is also IAB at probably higher dilution and Vitamin B1. Both products do some good but hardly necessary.

Jerry,

You spouted that same false info previously (http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-use-them.html), so please don't do so again.

I know you have a commercial interest in pushing your gibberellic acid formulation - and I think it is probably a good product in some situations - but doing so by spreading false info about competitive products is unseemly and leaves people with bad info.

[Intruder]

Anthony;
As substrate, you can use the "Hydro Granulés" from DCM without problems. They cost around 5€ for 10 liters.