Phals. and Onc. in S/H mold and etc..

[refu]

Hi, about 3-4 weeks ago I planted 2 Phals. in S/H the granules were fine graded 2-4 mm, one plant has made 1 root since then but on the other some mold started to appear so I changed the granules with 8-16 mm and the pots as well.
I use now taller pots and with holes all around the pot for better air circulation.
Do you think this was ok for me to do or it was to stressful for the plants???

Here are some pictures with the old pots and granules:


This is the one that made a root:



And this is an Oncidium that I have in the same way , didn't change the pot and granules because I can see new roots that go down in the nutrient tank.I maybe gone put some holes in the pot, what do you think?

[DelawareJim]

I can't tell from the pics if you're actually growing them semi-hydroponically or traditionally using LECA. Are the hole in the bottom of the pot or in the sides? They should be in the side about 3-4cm up from the bottom of the pot. If the holes are in the bottom, don't repot them again, just put the pots in a dish that holds about 3-4cm of water in it.

The 2-4mm LECA was too fine and did not allow adequate air circulation around the roots. That's pretty clear in the 2nd picture.

I would leave them in the 8-16mm LECA in the current pots and let them settle in. Every time you move them to a new pot or change the media it sets them back.

Cheers.
Jim

[refu]

There in S/H they have a reservoir that I fill about 3-4 cm with nutrients .

I changed the pots and the media and got this:

[RosieC]

I would agree with Jim that the previous medium was too fine. According to Ray, even the fine rooted orchids do better in the larger lecca.

With S/H you can use bigger pots than standard potting, however I would favour more the size they are in now for these plants.

[Ray]

That phal has it's roots too deep. Being potted-up in the reservoir, they will die and rot. If they grow into it, that's fine, but never pot them up that way.

[alternety]

Ray, can you expand on how to properly pot the Phal. A picture of a correctly potted one would be outstanding. I have several that I moved to SH. Some seem to be doing nicely, others are limp and yellowing.

One had badly rotted roots from a big box moss planting.

[alternety]

Has anyone experimented to see if additional holes in the pot above the reservoir level have any significant effect on the plants. More air seem like a good idea.

[Ray]

I have, and it actually works against you - if your intent is to use semi-hydro culture.

More holes equals faster evaporation, so the wicking action of the LECA cannot keep up, and you end up with a mostly dry medium.

[alternety]

Thanks.