Does S/H require special equipment?

[AndreasDK]

I admit it!
I have never beeen able to keep an orchid alive for more than a month or so.

To change that I have been looking into S/H and found these products (to see images look at first two links in Danish): Hydrokultur

But my question is...
Can I instead buy a clear glass vase, fill it with leca and stuff an orchid inthere?
Is the water measurer really needed?

[Ray]

That particular type of hydroculture is great - especially for terrestrials - but has some pitfalls.

For example, it is possible to overfill the container - hence the reason for the gauge. Additionally, such a setup almost "invites" you to merely top-up the reservoir (as would your glass vase), which is a sure way of eventually poisoning the plants.

Go here and read away: Semi-hydroponics Orchid Plants T5 Lighting

[AndreasDK]

Thank you for the reply.

I gather from the pictures on the site you link to that the best way is just to order some clear and sturdy pots, drill a few holes a bit over the bottom and fill them with LECA??

Also...
Where do you guys find those pots?
HEre in Europe all orchids come in pots with like a million holes in them so there is no way I can maka a reservoir of any kind in one of them.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by AndreasDK

Thank you for the reply.

I gather from the pictures on the site you link to that the best way is just to order some clear and sturdy pots, drill a few holes a bit over the bottom and fill them with LECA??

Also...
Where do you guys find those pots?
HEre in Europe all orchids come in pots with like a million holes in them so there is no way I can maka a reservoir of any kind in one of them.

Andreas, think a bit different and around teh corner you do not need "especial Orchid Pots" (even though, if you want, you can import them from the USA!)... I use pots normally used for storing food (check the Kitchen-ware supplies corner at your super market!) and/ or plastic beer cups (Tipp: if you go to Spain try to buy the plastic cups for "Minis"... They are large cups of over half a litter!)

[camille1585]

Like Ramon says, be inventive! Soda bottles with the top cut off make great s/h pots. In the Netherlands yogurt is sold is clear standard pot sized plastic containers, which is perfect. Have a look around in the supermarket, you'll probably find something in the type of container you need.

[AndreasDK]

You`re quite right.

Of course I can use any sort of plastic container - I just think soda bottles look ugly and flimsy.

I would prefer something sturdy and opaque / clear.

[CTB]

Welcome to the Orchid Board, Do a search at the top of the page and you can read about all the different ways s/h is used. You'll get all kinds of ideas for containers to use. With over 15,000 members we have many, many s/h growers. Also good how to reading at Rays website. Enjoy!

[AndreasDK]

Thank you Carol :-)

I just picked up a Phal., some small LECA balls and a glazed ceramic outer pot that has a kind of ring in the bottom, so that the inner pot hangs suspended.

If I use the gap between the bottoms of the two pots as a reservoir and let i evaporate up through the LECA will that work, or does the LECA have to be all the way into the reservoir?

[Ray]

In order for semi-hydroponics to work, the medium needs to be in contact with the water in the reservoir so it will absorb the water and wick it upwards.

You need, as Ramon said - to be creative. I have made pots out of small trash cans, storage containers, even foam coolers. Anything that is nonmetallic and water tight will work. Just drill two 6mm holes close to each other about 25-35 mm up from the bottom.

And, a regular pot can be used for S/H by standing it in a tray of water that depth.

I would like to address your initial statement about never being able to keep an orchid alive: semi-hydroponics does not guarantee that you will either. There is a lot more to orchid culture than water and nutrient delivery.

[CTB]

S/H is not evaporating up it's wicking up. Contact needs to be made. If you're looking for one pretty pot then something with a saucer effect is what you need. Most people have many, many orchids in S/H so they use cheaper homemade pots but there are lots of pretty ones out there for your special phal..