YES -SH for Oncidiums in my conditions

[eggshells]

Pat I have some cause I bought a whole bag. Remind me to bring it when I'm in Saskatoon next time.

[sii]

Originally Posted by RosieC

Good point John.

I had a very sick Zygo with no roots. As it already had no roots I just stuck in S/H regardless of any new growth. It's not doing amazingly but it was really sick, but it's growing and has good roots now.

I wonder how many roots you should have before putting an orchid in the clay pellets and setting it up like semihydroponics? My nelly isler is teetering in the balance. I don't imagine it continuing like this. It has one root on each of the segments. (the plant is in 2 pieces) Right now it's sitting on moist moss and is covered with a plastic bag to maintain humidity. Don't know what else to do.

[camille1585]

Normally S/H is not supposed to be a miracle cure all for ailing orchids, but in some cases it really does seem to work! I had a nearly rootless -3 roots maybe- Miltionopsis (because in Europe they sell them with a hard packed core of sphag even though it's in bark, so kills the roots even before buying the plant) that had a tiny new growth. In the past I unsuccessfully tried to save several other Miltionopsis, all died before new growths could put out roots. Well this one I chucked in S/H about 3 months ago out of desperation and the results are unbelievable! The wrinkled bulbs have plumped up to be nice and smooth, the new growth developed quickly, and 6 other growths have since appeared. Onc types really enjoy S/H, so I would say to go ahead and put your Nelly Isler in it, and see what happens.

[sii]

Seeing as I have 2 pieces, I think I'll try with one of them in s/h and see what happens.

[Vanda lover]

I think that is a good idea. I have found that some really do improve quiclky. Like my Paph.