Trying S/H for first time

[Country Gramma]

Well today I took the plunge. Literally.

I put 4 plants into S/H. Two Phals. (One flowering...I had to the roots were perfect for moving ), a sickly Dend NOID that I wanted to try to save, and a Phrag. Noirmont 3N that was also ready. I also put a really small Neostylis Lou Sneary "Blue Bird" pup that had small new roots growing.
Several questions:
1. Should I cut the spike off the Phrag? There are no more flowers on it.
2. Can I put others that are in bloom into S/H if they have new roots? I wanted to move the blooming Phal because it was packed in sphag. and the buds had stalled for weeks but was nervous about the others in bloom.
3. What do I do with the remaining PA that is already soaked? Can I put it on a tray to dry and just resoak when I need it again?

Thanks for all the info I got from this forum that encouraged me to do this, Karen

[Ranchnanny]

Hi Country Gramma, I have most of my Phals in s/h and they are doing very well. I also have most of my Dens in s/h also. I have never put Phrag in s/h. I don't see any problem with cutting the stem of the Phrag. I would just drain the water out of the left over PA and store them away to use at a later date. I reuse my after I clean them up.
Can you post some photo's of you newly potted Phals?

Good Growing

Sheridan

[DelawareJim]

I don't bother to dry out my left-over PrimeAgra. I actually keep some soaking in rainwater in a 5 gallon bucket with a lid on it in my basement so I always have some at the ready. About once a month I tip out the old water and add fresh.

After about a week, 95 percent of it has absorbed enough water that it sinks.

Cheers.
Jim

[Country Gramma]

Thanks Sheridan and Jim for the info.
I'll try to get some pics tomorrow and post them. I hope to get most of my orchids into S/H sooner rather than later. Not only do I like the concept but I think it will be easier for someone else to care for them if I go on vacation!!!

[bullsie]

My Normont has been in s/h for several years now and has never failed to bloom for me - which it is doing right now!

[Connie Star]

I've been putting a few plants into S/H since June and my results have not been too good so far. I think my well water may be too hard. I'd like to rig up a rainwater collecting system or RO but haven't found the time or $$$ yet. The first phal I put in in June has put out some new roots but they seem to turn brown and hard when they hit the prime agra but some seem to keep growing anyway. Here's a link to a picture.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...kay-dying.html
Sorry about the link I still haven't figured out how to put thumbnails in my posts

[Ray]

Connie,

A few things to consider:

Timing - were NEW roots growing (as opposed to new growth on existing roots) when you made the transplant?

Cleaning the medium - how thorough were you?

Temperature - phals like it really warm. If you don't grow them that way, the evaporative cooling from the medium might make the roots too cool.

I don't think hard water is a problem with S/H any more than it is with other culture techniques, unless you're really fertilizing the daylights out of them.

[Connie Star]

Hi Ray,
I always appreciate your advice. I think not washing enough was the problem with the first plant. It did have new roots. Even though the roots look funny to me, it has put out new leaves. I started an experiment with two almost identical phals, one in S/H with prime agra and 1 in fine bark. I think I'll water them with the same fertilizer, too. Keeping them warm is a bit difficult but my husband and I are setting up something that should help later today.
Thanks again.

[Pilot]

I have all of may phals in s/h. They love it!! While some had some difficulty getting established but once they did they thrived. One thing that helped line was bottom heat. Very beneficial not only for the roots but to help humidity flow through the higher hydro where mine (here in CO) got very dry. And though it is true evaporation lowers the temp, if you help them out with the bottom heat...evaporation shouldn't be an issue. Also...get the medium very clean before you pot.

Good luck cuz sh is great.

[Country Gramma]

Ryan,

How do you use the mat if you have the plants on a humidity tray? It is very dry in my house here in MA. Will be all winter. Summer is no problem

Karen