S/H supplies in the UK

[RosieC]

OK, I've decided I want to try S/H, I have a couple of candidate Phals which are cheep discount rack things I don't mind experimenting with, I've read all I can find on the technique...

but I have no idea where to go about buying the Lecca and whatever else I need.

Anyone in the UK growing this way and know where to get the supplies I need?

[Nic100]

Hi Rosie,
Easy Orchids ( www.easyorchids.co.uk ) do a s/h conversion kit. It's within their orchid sundries stuff I think. Not sure if it's what you're looking for but might be helpful!

Good luck!

[camille1585]

You should be able to easily find leca/hydroton/other brand in a garden center. If not, try seeing if there are any hydroponic stores near you, they usually carry the stuff.
As for the pots, if you can't find any suitable you could always use soda/water bottles.

[RosieC]

Nicky, I've not managed to find anything on the Easy Orchids site. I may be missing something or maybe they don't do it anymore.

Camille, I'll take a look in the garden centers, I have several near buy so I will ask. I've seen someone showing one done in a soda bottle recently, it's a good idea and I'll remember that one. I don't know of any hydrophonic stores but I will se what I can find... after all I've not been looking for them before so could have just missed them.

[RosieC]

A search for Hydroponics specifying UK Only came up with some results selling hydroton so I should be able to get hold of that.

Interestingly a search for Semi Hydroponics specifying UK Only came up with someone's blog talking about growing orchids and very near the top he had linked to Ray's website saying Ray was the best person to get info from... but then I already knew that, it's just he's the other side of the pond so not convinient to buy from.

[cricketerry]

Rosie I buy all of my stuff from Roger Bowden who runs a company called Plants Plus here in the UK, web site is Plants Plus orchid growing supplies: orchid compost section

As he is close to me I collect in person and save the p&p but he does do an online system. The clay pellets are listed in his compost list not his hydroponics section. I too use plastic bottles with holes cut in the sides as my pots.

[RosieC]

Thanks Cricketerry.

[nenella]

Hi Rosie,
You can use any type of Plastic "pot" be it tupperware or anything..
The holes are easy to make I use a piece of metal stuck into a cork which I heat on a burner on my stove.

[RosieC]

Thanks Nenella, I have a lot of 'pots' arround as hubby and I tend to hang on to any sort of old food container that we think may be useful later on (mostly for freezing homemade food). I also have a taste for adding lemonade to strawberry cordial concentrate (instead of water) and so often have old lemonade bottles available

[DelawareJim]

Rosie;

It's been a while since I've been in the UK and I don't know what the grocer or Chinese restaurants use any more, but a lot of us here in the USA use a liquid US 1 quart soup take-away or deli container.

Cheers.
Jim