hydroton and plant buildup - Orchid Board

VickiC · #1 01-11-2011, 02:09 PM

I think I remember this subject being addressed in past threads, but I can't recall positively. If so, I can't locate the posts so I can refresh my memory (once again my bad memory shows it's ugly face).

The plants that I have potted in S/H seem very healthy and obviously like S/H just fine, but the top layer of hydroton and plant surface of 2 or 3 of these has either a mineral or fertilizer buildup. (I can't locate my list of my water components, so I don't have that info to tell you.)

I'm concerned if this buildup is/could be harmful if left as is. ?? Do you think it would be good to unpot the plants (clean the pot, of course, although I understand algae is no problem at all...just ugly.) then afterwards gently remove the hydroton, and repot with fresh media?

By the way, I water weakly weekly with fert, but I rinse ea. with fresh water alone about once ea. month. That doesn't seem to remove this buildup at all.

I've included 2 pictures, but I couldn't get the shots as good as I would have liked. Hopefully you can see what you need to know, though.

I would appreciate any advice and/or comments any of you may have for me.
Vicki

GreenpinkE · #2 01-11-2011, 06:43 PM

This is what I would suggest, flush with about a qt. of pure water (rain water), wait about an hour and do the same, pouring out all the water each time. This may not wash away all the salts, but it will help. Keep an eye on the new roots to see if the root tips burn, If so, you my may need to repot with new HT on the top inch or two.
Next time you feed, try pouring the fert. mix down the side of the pot, and add water over the top. This should help with the build up problems on top.
I only feed once a month, and just add water as needed. Hope this helps!

Zoi2 · #3 01-11-2011, 07:17 PM

Your humidity is either too low or you're getting great air circulation. The moisture is just evaporating quickly on the top leca. I just mist the top portion sometimes daily to keep it moist between waterings.
Joann

VickiC · #4 01-11-2011, 10:02 PM

Thanks for your advice, GreenpinkE!
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenpinkE

This is what I would suggest, flush with about a qt. of pure water (rain water), wait about an hour and do the same, pouring out all the water each time. This may not wash away all the salts, but it will help. Keep an eye on the new roots to see if the root tips burn, If so, you my may need to repot with new HT on the top inch or two.
Next time you feed, try pouring the fert. mix down the side of the pot, and add water over the top. This should help with the build up problems on top.
I only feed once a month, and just add water as needed. Hope this helps!

VickiC · #5 01-11-2011, 10:26 PM

I have to work on keeping my greenhouse humidity up but my fans do provide good circulation. The top layer does get dry easily, so I'll mist it more often as you advise. I'm sorry but I have a problem understanding how keeping it moist will prevent buildup, though. Would you mind explaining, please?

Thanks for your advise,
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoi2

Your humidity is either too low or you're getting great air circulation. The moisture is just evaporating quickly on the top leca. I just mist the top portion sometimes daily to keep it moist between waterings.
Joann

Zoi2 · #6 01-11-2011, 11:27 PM

Sorry for the confusion. You do have a salt/fert residue on your plants and leca. I usually wash it off the plants when I clean them up at repotting. The same salt/fert is on the leca and when I repot, I just use clean leca. To keep it from happening, the leca needs to stay moist. You will probably find that the roots do not want to grow in the dry leca, so by keeping it moist, they will adhear and grow into it.
Joann

VickiC · #7 01-12-2011, 09:40 AM

Thank you for clearing things up for me, Joann! I should have asked in my inital question-post if someone would advise me as if I were a 2nd grader because that's about where my mind level stays often.

Your explanation was perfect. I know exactly what to do now and where I made my mistake...not misting the surface often enough to avoid the buildup. It just didn't click when I have read other member's posts in the past about misting the top layer, so I appreciate you explaining why to me.
Vicki

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoi2

Sorry for the confusion. You do have a salt/fert residue on your plants and leca. I usually wash it off the plants when I clean them up at repotting. The same salt/fert is on the leca and when I repot, I just use clean leca. To keep it from happening, the leca needs to stay moist. You will probably find that the roots do not want to grow in the dry leca, so by keeping it moist, they will adhear and grow into it.
Joann

Ray · #8 01-12-2011, 11:10 AM

Yeah Vicki, that's pretty common if the top surface dries out.

All of the evaporation occurs at the top - and as the water dries out, the mineral ions are driven into the center of the particle where they concentrate. "Feed" them with more liquid, wicked up from the bottom, and the buildup gets worse.

As Joann said, keeping the medium constantly moist is the only way to prevent it, and since you are not able to do that, when it gets too bad, dump the top part of the medium - the part that regularly dries out - and replace it with new stuff. No need to totally repot.

Some brands of LECA will build up faster than others, and some will "hold onto" those absorbed minerals more thoroughly, accelerating the process. (Nerds can read more here: Mineral Buildup in Inorganic Materials).

The removed LECA can be reused after a prolonged soak in a large volume of water. Adding Epsom Salts is supposed to accelerate the process, but I'm not certain it would work.

VickiC · #9 01-12-2011, 12:47 PM

Thank you for such a detailed reply, Ray. You and Joann have helped me understand better. Also, thanks for the link. I overlooked it in the past, but I will certainly read the info soon.

Since the S/H plants that I pictured in my inital post already have the buildup, I will do as you advise and remove the upper layers of leca, replacing them with fresh (cleaned and soaked as usual). Before replacing with fresh leca, or when I totally repot - I also assume that I should try to clean the buildup from the plant, as well. What is best...would a soft toothbrush be good for this? Is the only reason for totally unpotting simply to remove the algae (which some people feel is unslightly, but completely harmless to the plant, I understand)? After my "leca cleanup", I'll try to mist as poss. to avoid the buildup again. Next question...and remember...you said that your customers always get tech. support...

Even so, I apologize for all the questions. Would it be best to wait for new growth on my S/H plants (as it is with plants potted in another medium), or can I pot anytime?

Now, do I understand the basics (which I imagine are addressed in your link info.)? One would think that I have never grown in S/H, so my questions are rather embarressing. But then...I admit that I'm not the brightest lightbulb in the pack.

(Sad, but true)
Thanks again,
Vicki

Ray;372094]Yeah Vicki, that's pretty common if the top surface dries out.

All of the evaporation occurs at the top - and as the water dries out, the mineral ions are driven into the center of the particle where they concentrate. "Feed" them with more liquid, wicked up from the bottom, and the buildup gets worse.

As Joann said, keeping the medium constantly moist is the only way to prevent it, and since you are not able to do that, when it gets too bad, dump the top part of the medium - the part that regularly dries out - and replace it with new stuff. No need to totally repot.

Some brands of LECA will build up faster than others, and some will "hold onto" those absorbed minerals more thoroughly, accelerating the process. (Nerds can read more here: Mineral Buildup in Inorganic Materials).

The removed LECA can be reused after a prolonged soak in a large volume of water. Adding Epsom Salts is supposed to accelerate the process, but I'm not certain it would work.[/QUOTE]

Zoi2 · #10 01-12-2011, 06:31 PM

When I take the plants out to clean them up (salt/fert), I hold the plant upside down under the faucet of luke warm water and use my fingers to clean the crud off then snip any dead roots. I hang them upside down to dry and repot.
I have never had a problem repotting at any time with s/h. I usually do not remove the leca from the roots if it is attached, and repot when the plant out grows the pot. 9 times out of 10 I have to cut the pot to get the plant out, but I start with pretty small pots.
Joann