Whoo Hoo hydrotron is here

[camille1585]

Thanks, I didn't know you could buy those things! I'll go have a look at the Dollar Tree not far away. My housemates get a lot of stuff at the deli, so instead of throwing them out they give them to me. Got 8 so far, but I could do with a few more just in case I go all out with s/h!

[peeweelovesbooks]

You can also buy the pots from Ray. They are relatiely inexpensive and I think way sturdier than anything you can find in the dollar store. It may not be as cheap, but I think they will outlast those in the long-run.

[camille1585]

I don't know about the dollar store ones, but the supermarket deli containers I have are really sturdy. I was thinking of getting some from Ray, but cash is tight for me, and I'd rather spend the little money that I have on orchids, and improvise for the s/h pots.

[RosieC]

I'm trying two types of S/H just now. One is using 2litre pop bottles with holes in the sides. The other is using standard pots but with an outer cover pot and I leave a resevoir of water in the botton of the cover pot. I decided to try this because I use cover pots anyway.

[stefpix]

Rosie, I think the 2nd method makes more sense.

you can rinse under the faucet the leca and throw away the old stale water.. seems cleaner to me.
Also means that you can use whatever container. like net pots or even ugly yogurt cotainers... no issues.

I find Gatorade bottles really good for that too. if you cut the top off. Actually i found some net pots that fit perfectly in those

[RosieC]

Originally Posted by stefpix

Rosie, I think the 2nd method makes more sense.

I know it's not the normal way, but I was puttng cover pots on my pop bottle S/H trial to stop water dripping and topping them up to the level in the resevoir, then wondered why I couldn't do the same with standard pots.

As you have said I can completely change the water every time.

Not sure I've heard anyone else mention this, but as I'm using cover pots anyway it seemed to make sence.

[RosieC]

John, I've decided that if my experiments with S/H and growing in Lecca as a standard medium go well then I'm going to go for the big 50l bag like you. They sell a 50l bag in a local hydroponics store but I decided to go with the smaller bag as a trial first.

[stefpix]

You could put also multiple pots in one of those clear plastic storage boxes that are shoebox size...

same water, same tray, less space used, less mess... Although you need to put plants of similar size.

[RosieC]

I think the danger with that is transfer of pathogens between plants.

Standard Hydroponics uses a common tray and resevoir and one of the reasons Ray lists for not using that on orchids is the transfer of pathogens.

[stefpix]

I would buy the larger bag if the saving is big...

I use hydroton at the bottom of the pots anyway, even for traditional culture and herbs... it is a safeguard against overwatering. also gives a it of weight to net pots or small pots with coco husks or sphag