I think I'm gonna do the S/H switch! (and a few questions)

[jenmonkey]

Hi guys,

So, I have decided, after a creepy encounter with small white bugs and a freakin' millipede in my beloved Zygopetalum that I am desperately trying to get to bloom, that it is probably a good idea to go S/H and see if that makes my 'chids happier. I'm excited!

I think I'm gonna start with Ray's kits for my two mini Phals, my young L. tenebrosa and my young Epi/Ency cross, since none of those are even thinking about being in bloom at the moment. Then, if I have success, I'll look at transferring the two Zygo's, the Max. tenuifolia, and the Sharry Baby Oncidium...

So first off, a big thank you to Ray and to everyone here who provide just an endless source of good information (and the occasional cute kitty pic) that help me to make smart orchid decisions.

Also, I have a question about the medium to be used. Is PrimeAgra the same quality as Hydroton? Should I be using one over the other? What are the pros and cons there?

Also, I don't suppose you guys can direct me to a source for a standalone (think Alhambra water cooler) Reverse Osmosis system for water? I live in an apartment and am notoriously crappy with plumbing, so I can't really see myself being able to install an R/O system to the existing water lines, but I really would like to use good water for my babies. Does such a thing exist?

Thanks as always, and I will be sure to document the process with pics!
-Jen

[jenmonkey]

Oh! And another question - Am I correct in assuming that since my Vanilla planifolia is a semi-terrestrial orchid, it would not be the best option for S/H?

Thanks!

[Imperial_Exotics]

Actually any plant is a candidate for S/H.

Bromeliads, tomatoes, various fruits and vegetables etc.

Jewel Orchids are terrestrial, but can be grown with no medium at all if the roots retain some moisture or are sprayed frequently enough.

No reason why yours wouldn't be fine as well.

Originally Posted by jenmonkey

Oh! And another question - Am I correct in assuming that since my Vanilla planifolia is a semi-terrestrial orchid, it would not be the best option for S/H?

Thanks!

[zxyqu]

Ok, I'll give my take before Ray will hopefully jump in and give you some more information.
Ray's kits are a great place to start. However, I will warn you before you start. If the phals you mentioned are not showing active root growth, in my opinion they transfer better if the root is from the crown, you should not try and transfer it at all. S/H is great, I love it, lots of people do, but the last thing you want to do is transfer one that isn't ready and kill it when the roots die. Having been one who ignored this little specific fact, please trust Ray, others, and myself who say that you have to wait for new growth/roots.
As to the plants you mentioned, and not knowing for sure on a couple of them, I know phals, zygo, Oncs, and most Epis do great in S/H. Oncs and Zygos do amazing in my hands, so I would definitely recommend it for them.
I've only gotten primeagra from Ray, so I can't speak for hydroton, but Ray does give a great comparison on why PA may be better on his website.
And if I can give Ray another plug, he also sells all the stand alone RO water system peices as well, so if you're looking for all the above, Ray's site, firstrays.com, is the place to go.
Finally I'd also recommend bottom heat with a seedling mat after S/H trasnfer, as this has definitely improved on the time the chid takes to the new media.
Good Luck, and let us know how everything goes.

[Bob2741]

I went from bark to S/H in about 9 months used 4 50 lb bags of Rays PrimeAgra and a lot of chatter between Ray and myself. Iused various methods but was most sucessful with bottom heat under the plants as I changed them over. I transfered over 200 orchids in various sizes and age lost 4 total and that was caused by stupid stuff I did. Best thing I ever did now I have time to just sit in the greenhouse and enjoy it and yes they are blooming and growing like crazy, just follow Rays advice you will be alright

[RosieC]

Ray has often given a lot of reasons for why PrimeAgra is best. They include the following...
1. More uniform than other brands thus allowing better air flow.
2. Better wicking, absorption and release properties.
3. Heavier to stay in the pot.
4. Manufactured specifically for use as a growing medium, as opposed to being a remarketed concrete additive like other forms of Lecca.

Now bear in mind that Ray owns the trademark on PrimeAgra so his words could be biased (some of the wording above I've copied from his website here), but Ray likes to sell products which he really wants to use himself and if I remeber rightly had PrimeAgra developed so as to get a better quality product than he could get elsewhere. Others here on OB have also given good reports of it in the past.

I don't use it simply because Ray does not ship to Europe, if I lived in the area he ships to I would use because from everything I've heard it's a much better product.

As for S/H in general I would advise moving a few at a time, get used to it and then move more. I'm part way into this process. I have 7 of my 50+ orchids in S/H and a further 3 in Hydroton but watering in a more traditional manner. The S/H ones are doing wonderfully, even the one I thought was struggling showed to have new roots, new leaves and a spike when I looked more closely

[Becca]

All great information given here. And I just wanted to mention that ray does have a comparison on the different LECCA that is available on the market. He has this in his free info section on his website if I remember correctly.

The other thing I wanted to mention is as some one else mentioned is that you need to make sure you have active root growth, and by active root growth I mean new roots growing, which is typically in the spring. If you don't have new roots to adapt to the medium, the old roots will not be able to adapt and will rot and then your plant will slowly die due to a poor root system. If you can wait for spring time, you will have a much better chance of success! I unfortunately speak from experience with this!

[Imperial_Exotics]

well so far, I can certainly endorse the fairly inexpensive hydroton that is readily available pretty much everywhere.

I added small space heaters to keep nighttime temps from going below 60 (for now) and it seems to be doing great out there.

When we get the big greenhouse going, I'll have radiant heat below everything. (that is hot water pumped through piping below the plants for those who don't know what that is)