using hydroton for my nelly isler

[nutgirl]

I've had good success using water culture to reroot oncidium types.

I placed them in a container of water so that the water level is just at the base of the plant.
Don't go too deep or the whole thing will rot.

New roots should start to grow into the water.

[sii]

Originally Posted by nutgirl

I've had good success using water culture to reroot oncidium types.

I placed them in a container of water so that the water level is just at the base of the plant.
Don't go too deep or the whole thing will rot.

New roots should start to grow into the water.

Nutgirl can you tell me more. Is it straight water? Where do you place the orchid? How often do you change?
help

[WhiteRabbit]

I think, if there's new growth, they will begin to grow roots in the near future - pot up the plant with whatever media you feel comfortable with, care for it, I think it will be fine. You can place the plant potted in your tank to keep humidity up around it if you like.

How does the new growth look?



hydroton can be used as addition to other potting mix for aeration, can be used at bottom of pots for drainage, and you can experiment using it as sole medium as well (s/h or traditional growing) I know I have read that some orchids don't do great in s/h - tho I know a number of members do grow Onc alliance that way ...

[nutgirl]

Originally Posted by sii

Nutgirl can you tell me more. Is it straight water? Where do you place the orchid? How often do you change?
help

I use tap water which in my case is well water.

I tie the plant to bamboo stakes and stick it in a container with the stakes touching the bottom and the plant suspended with it's base just in the water.

I flush every week. Algae does make things kind of green but the plants don't seem to mind.

Some plants respond faster than others.

I use hydroton for my oncidium types both as a traditional medium or semihydroponic.


Maureen

[sii]

Whiterabbit I only counted a few roots on each set (3 bulbs) I think this aquarium set up is keeping this plant a little too soppy. I put the orchid in a combination of hydroton and a little moss. Then I put the whole pot on an overturned container (olive container) and placed it on the rocks. Humidity registers at 53%. When I unpotted it was REALLY wet and I didn't water it yesterday when I originally posted.

What to do??

Maureen I don't have well water. I wonder if that'll make a difference.

I'm thinking about going out to search for Dynagrow. Have to go out in the morning. Still struggling with what will work.

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by sii

Whiterabbit I only counted a few roots on each set (3 bulbs) I think this aquarium set up is keeping this plant a little too soppy. I put the orchid in a combination of hydroton and a little moss. Then I put the whole pot on an overturned container (olive container) and placed it on the rocks. Humidity registers at 53%. When I unpotted it was REALLY wet and I didn't water it yesterday when I originally posted.

What to do??

Maureen I don't have well water. I wonder if that'll make a difference.

I'm thinking about going out to search for Dynagrow. Have to go out in the morning. Still struggling with what will work.

If this were my plant, I'd pot it in a small pot, keeping media lightly moist - roots will come!

[greenpassion]

I have 3 oncidiums, 7 phals, 4 masdevalias and a few African violets all thriving in hydroton. There are different sizes that it comes in, and this is to cater to differing root sizes of orchids. For example, oncidiums have a finer root size, and use a smaller pellet. Phals have larger roots, and like the larger pellet. I have to say that I was awash in problems with my orchids until I stumbled upon S/H culture. I can't thank Ray enough. He is, without a doubt, the 'Orchid Whisperer'...

[sii]

Since my last post (summer) my nelly continues to go down hill. One bunch looks like it'll rot. The other one has 3 spindly roots and they look like they're not moving. Both are in moss. When I had them in the pellets, it seemed to dry. Aren't the pellets supposed to hold moisture?
I'll keep them for now, but things don't look good.

[silken]

That's too bad sii. Mine is still growing and I hope the roots are fine. I find the pseudobulbs get wrinkled unless it gets a lot of water. I wonder if putting it on a seedling heat mat and using some KLN would stimulate some roots?

[Vanda lover]

I have a bur that wasn't doing well and I found out that I was keeping it too warm. I had it in the greenhouse. Last summer was a cool summer and the bur is blooming. I have mine in a small pot with Styrofoam peanuts for drainage, with an orchid mix.