new to semi-hydro (picture series)

[Buds!]

Originally Posted by Ray

Be forewarned that catts can some times be very "pouty" about the transition to semi-hydro culture, and remember that timing is everything.

Hi Ray,
I am a newbie and I am intrigued by the S/H discussions. Could you please explain when it is the 'right' time to switch to S/H for cattleyas and Phals.
Also, how do I determin pot size ie. depth and diameter? Do I just mirror exisiting pot size? Do S/H orchids need slightly deeper pots?
I had a look at your website and I am amazed at the results.
It looks like I will be heading to the shops tomorrow!
Thank you!
Buds!

[quiltergal]

Hi Buds, I'm not Ray, but I can shed some light on when the right time to repot to s/h is. Wait until your plant is showing new root growth and then make the switch. The reasons are gone into in great depth on Ray's website.Root Cells and Culture

There is loads of great information there. I spent several days reading before taking the plunge and I still didn't do it right! I made the mistake of doing an emergency repot into s/h without any new root growth, and I nearly lost both plants. Learn from my mistake. Also, only pick a couple of plants to experiment with and then wait for a few months to see how they respond before transplanting everything you own into s/h. Believe me I know how tempting it is, but try to resist.

[Boondock]

I agree with quiltergal, Ray's website is indispensable.

Originally Posted by Phalguy

a simple nail heated on the stove is enough.

I bought some acrylic tumblers at the dollar store as a "test pot". The nail on the stove was not good enough to melt thru the acrylic. But after making the holes in one, I think using a drill and drill-bit is the way to go with the heavier material.

I like the acrylic glasses alot better than the deli container because they are completely rigid and clear. I will have to keep my eye out for some in a larger size.

[Buds!]

There is loads of great information there. I spent several days reading before taking the plunge and I still didn't do it right! I made the mistake of doing an emergency repot into s/h without any new root growth, and I nearly lost both plants. Learn from my mistake. Also, only pick a couple of plants to experiment with and then wait for a few months to see how they respond before transplanting everything you own into s/h. Believe me I know how tempting it is, but try to resist.[/QUOTE]

Hi Terri,
Thanks for your insight! It is so tempting to plunge into S/H. I woke up at 5:30am thinking about it! .
I know that some of my Cattleyas are in the 'rest' period, so I have to wait until September (our Spring), when there is more growth.
Are all your orchids planted in S/H culture? What are your feelings towards S/H? How is it working out for you?
What portion of this Forum uses S/H culture?
Questions, and more questions, my brain is working overtime!
Thanks again for answering my post.

[Buds!]

I bought some acrylic tumblers at the dollar store as a "test pot".
I like the acrylic glasses alot better than the deli container because they are completely rigid and clear. I will have to keep my eye out for some in a larger size.[/QUOTE]

Hi Boondock,
Thanks for your tip! I think your acrylic container looks great! Have you planted any orchids in it yet?
I find myself looking at plasticware in a different way now!
Cheers,
Buds!

[Ray]

Boondock & Buds - acrylic may look good now, but it becomes quite brittle upon exposure to UV, so you may need to replace pots more often.

Also, I recommend against putting more than 2 or 3 holes in the pot. For one, it really adds little to the air flow, secondly, it makes it harder to water properly (fill rapidly to the top and let it drain), and third, if you only have a pot with a couple of holes in one side, when you pick it up you can point them away so it won't "pee" on you!

[Boondock]

Originally Posted by Ray

Also, I recommend against putting more than 2 or 3 holes in the pot. For one, it really adds little to the air flow, secondly, it makes it harder to water properly (fill rapidly to the top and let it drain), and third, if you only have a pot with a couple of holes in one side, when you pick it up you can point them away so it won't "pee" on you!

ok.... I just found that out the hard way. I should have read the forum, before watering this morning. It's TRUE !

Originally Posted by Ray

Boondock & Buds - acrylic may look good now, but it becomes quite brittle upon exposure to UV, so you may need to replace pots more often.

I've had a set of acrylic drinking glass for more than 7 years and they seem fine, but of course they are not exposed to direct sunlight all day, and go thru cycles of fertilizer and waterings.

Thank you Ray

[quiltergal]

Originally Posted by Buds!

Hi Terri, Thanks for your insight! It is so tempting to plunge into S/H. I woke up at 5:30am thinking about it! .
I know that some of my Cattleyas are in the 'rest' period, so I have to wait until September (our Spring), when there is more growth.
Are all your orchids planted in S/H culture? What are your feelings towards S/H? How is it working out for you?
What portion of this Forum uses S/H culture?
Questions, and more questions, my brain is working overtime!
Thanks again for answering my post.

Hi Buds. I only have 2 plants currently in s/h, and I'm making myself wait as long as I need to to see how these two respond....once they recover. My first impression of s/h was Oooh it's going to be cool. Then after watching the rapid decline of both plants due to my own stupidity I wasn't so enthusiastic. My phal is on the road to recovery, so I'm feeling lots better about s/h now. The Lc is still struggling, but when I checked it yesterday it was sending out new baby roots so perhaps all is not lost with that one. My experience with s/h is probably not a good one to base a decision on whether or not to try it. As I said before, I didn't do as recommended and am now paying the price. Pick a couple of plants that are showing active new root growth and put them in s/h. Then wait as long as it takes to evaluate their progress. Some plants take to it without a hiccup, others have to sulk for awhile. Just remember timing is everything. I probably won't be moving anything else into s/h until next spring. By that time I'll know how the 2 plants currently in it respond. Good luck! Keep us posted.

[mojomick]

One thing I have found is to be patient. I have most of my plants in S/H and a few took off immediately. Several however seemed to sulk and not do well. I just basically ignored their displeasure and waited. Eventually most took to the new medium and seem to be adjusting well. I have lots of new growth and several are blooming for the 6th time in a year!!! Mojo

[Becca]

Originally Posted by Buds!

What portion of this Forum uses S/H culture?

My experience with s/h....hehe...has been good and bad, but bad due to my stupidity. I thought I read into it before diving in, but I guess I just dove in because I didn't find out until after repotting several of my orchids that I needed to wait for new root growth....ooops! Due to this, I have had some struggle and some do well. Even after I learned about needing to get the timing right, I still ignored it once or twice, not sure what I was thinking there...well I guess I wasn't. I have had several Catt's do well, some not do well, a couple of Paph's seem to be doing well, but what might seem to be doing well really may not be, it is hard to tell somethimes what is really going on with the roots! My Cymbidiums took right to it and I did not wait for new root growth with them.....I got very lucky! I have had luck with several other plants as well....but I have pulled my head out of the sand now and I am waiting for new growth on my plants that I plan on switching over from here on out. My only questions is that I know sometimes there are orchids that should only be repotted during certain times of the year. So if they are putting out new root growth, should I still wait until this proper time of the year, and how do I know what plants require that proper time of the year? I have several Catt's I still would like to convert and they are putting out new roots.