S/H question

[Ray]

Once the plant has become accustomed to the culture, one simply cannot overwater.

Water is not an issue (read my "Air management" piece) as long as there air adequate air flow to the root system,. In traditional, orgainic-based media, water is easily trapped in between the particles so suffocates the roots, With the right choice of medium for S/H culture, that is not the case, so watering doesn't appreciably change the root environemtn, meaning there is no stress on the plant.

[Heather]

Originally Posted by Ray

I don't undestand Heather's avoidance of Physan, but I have to tell you that it really isn't all that necessary anyway. I use it for aethetic purposes - keeping algae at bay - and one ounce liquid bleach per gallon will work, too. With the right watering regime, any decomposition products (even healthy roots die eventually, so there will always be some "rotting" going on) will simply be flushed out of the pot.

I was told that as a "growth inhibitor" physan might not be the best choice for encouraging new root growth while discouraging growth of nasty things. Most of the reason I don't like to use it though is that I like to avoid using anything unless absolutely necessary (for example, physan, pesticides, etc.) I like to try to find the cause and not just treat a sympton, if that makes sense.

Originally Posted by Ray

I also don't buy the "long term" issues with phrags in S/H. I have plants that have been in semi-hydroponics for over ten years, and they're just fine. Slippers were the subjects of my first experiments.

I know, I always read that from you Ray. I just haven't been brave enough to make the full switch yet. I guess it is a YMMV thing - I know someone else who has had great luck w/ her Phrags but not her Paphs. Believe me, I am tempted to try the Phrags again too, but I'm nervous. Then again, my besseae species and hybrids are looking like crap since we moved. Maybe a repot would help.

Originally Posted by Ray

As to the watering schedule thing, I would have thought S/H would have helped, especially with a totally-slipper collection. OK, you're on your own with the mexipedium, but done right, it is likely that other media/culture methods will require more frequent watering than does a plant in semi-hydroponics, and there is no such thing as "too frequent" watering with S/H culture. Then again, I don't know your conditions, but that's certainly the case for me.

You're right, it would have helped if I had switched everything over and not just a few plants. Now that I've switched all my Paphs over, it has simplified my watering a LOT.

[Heather]

Ray -
Have you grown any of the long petaled Phrag. species in S/H? Any problems?

[orchidtraci]

I'm not sure I can help you. I do my s/h in lava rock. I know alot of people will shun lava, but I have never had better luck, and I got a huge bag of it for 10 dollars.

[Tikva]

OK, here is my life with orchids and thoughts. I am so far only a deal seeker. I can't afford pricey orchids. I have the time to water I guess, but if it takes too long to care for my plants, I think I would tire of it.
I live in NH and grow in my house. Lately it's been so rainy my plants can't be getting enough light, dry air... anything...
I *think* right now my orchids aren't getting enough sun / light, probably not enough water (since I've been scared off of watering orchids - it's the first thing you are warned to no end about as a newbie), and I'm sure not enough fert. - I am just now understanding that I should fert lighter than I am. I think my fert is 30-something-something and it seems higher than most recs for food. I have also just realized you don't fertilize plants with almost no roots (as a deal seeker I came across a few really bad orchids) and don't fertilize plants not in growth of any kind too much.... <I could use corrections if needed>

Now, I have been very tempted by Ray's site. But I think I would want more than just enough to plant 2 plants. I'm sort of an all or nothing person as well. I don't think I have the right pots for this. I am SO sure I can't get all the old medium off... it could take DAYS to get some off of some of my plants! I don't have any care products (like for fungus, cleaning, pests). And I am on a "can not spend money at all" spree and that limits it also.
I thought about getting something that would be great at Home Depot - just a bag because I know that bags of potting mediums just do not break the bank. I would rather have the best and most perfect stuff from Ray's and I feel sure that if there is no substitute for Ray's stuff, then I will wait until I can afford it and get enough for the plants that I have.

THEN I have to be sure I can plant all of my plants in it. I would of course not plants ones that don't do well in it. I have several Paphs, a few more Phals, lots in the Oncidium family (due to an internet deal *sigh*), 2 from the Vanda family, and a couple I have to go read the tags on because I know so little about them. I tend to buy plants that are cheap (of course) and have pretty flower pictures attatched to them (cause I'm not a techie)
Now that I have rambled, I think I will wait for the money to order what I need from Ray. And in the meantime, I will read his forums on the subject and ask questions when they come to me. When I am prepared, I hope I will do it right... until then, I hope my plants do just fine as I have them....
I really appreciate all of your help!!!!!

[couscous74]

I tried Lava Rock. The stuff was HEAVY
I would worry about it being too heavy for the roots to move a little if they needed some room to grow. Even when I flooded the pot, that stuff wasn't going anymore. I guess the best thing I can say about Lava Rock is that the stuff doesn't float
I also worried about breaking my plant stand with that amount of weight.

[Ray]

Heather,

I am not so much of a slipper freak that "long petaled" is that definative. I have grow some hybrids like Pual Eugene Corroy that have pretty long petals... Is this what you mean?

[Neofalcata]

That's great! I like how the pouch looks like it is carved from ice. That is what I would call a long petaled phrag.

[amateurorchid]

Hi I have been using PA and Hydroton for sometime now. My Phals, Paphs, Catasetums, Laelia, Cymbidium alliance, one Peristeria, One Acineta Superba, Masd, Dracula, Oncidium alliance orchids are all doing great. I usually see how heavy the pot is before and after watering. Nowadays the pots are heavier than before, before watering itself. It's because of the roots. The roots are growing right into the reservoir. I am growing 3 plants without a reservoir but with LECA. They are doing OK now. (my fault. Switched too many times). I fertilized sparingly during winter. But when spring came in all the plants are now putting out new roots are are very happy. I am now trying 3 bougs, 2 gardenias and one Murraya P in SH.

My Cattleyas are somehow different. I think they take the longest to adjust to the new media. I have killed more Catts than I care to keep count.

I use Rubbing alcohol+oil+soap and Physan regularly to keep problems at bay. But I have lost a few orchids to mealybugs. Somehow by the time I spray the plant the bugs have done the damage. .

Just my 2 cents.
Srivida

[Heather]

Originally Posted by Ray

Heather,

I am not so much of a slipper freak that "long petaled" is that definative. I have grow some hybrids like Pual Eugene Corroy that have pretty long petals... Is this what you mean?

Well, yes, that's what I meant by long-petaled but specifically the caudatum species group (caudatum, wallisii, warscewiczeanum/popowii, and lindenii). They are the four most common which tend to be less water loving than the other Phrag alliances. They tend to be the most "prone" of the phrags to basal rot, though frankly, I have now grown and flowered all four of them and had no problems whatsover in a CHC/Diatomite based mix. I have again heard mixed things about these species in S/H but nothing really definitive.

Nice PEC by the way. I used to grow a few of the hybrids but they just get so big, and I like the species best (snob, I know! but space is at a premium.)