How often water or flush plants in s/h?

[NYCorchidman]

Thanks, everyone for the helpful ideas and advices.

[NYCorchidman]

Now, I've seen pictures of others growing s/h. I really hate to see those dark stuff (algae I believe). Is there a nature-friendly way to control it or does Ray sell decorative cover so the sun doesn't reach inside the pot?

[NewBloom]

If you're using a standard bottom draining pot and a saucer as the external reservoir, should you drill a hole on the side of the pot for ventalation?

[DelawareJim]

I wouldn't. The hole in the side is for drainage and to set the depth if the reservoir. Any extra side holes just allow for faster drying of the LECA which I think would lead to faster salt accumulation.

Cheers.
Jim

[camille1585]

I think the holes, other than being for reservoir deptth, DO allow for some air flow.

[Ray]

Jim is right - the extra holes would lead to faster evaporation and mineral buildup, and taken to extreme, can also stop the wicking of the moisture upward.

Surely there is some air entrance through the holes, but it is insignificant compared to the penetration from the top of the pot, due to the relative open area - a 6" pot has more than 300x the area than do two 1/4" holes.

Concerning algae growth - it is ugly, but does no harm. You may periodically treat with an algaecide to keep it at bay, or block the light via a pot cover (I have none in stock) or through the use of opaque pots (which I do).

[camille1585]

I think I read that on your site though?

[emmastone]

I learned early on never to let the roots of my plants dry out completely, I use a double pot system, where the inner mesh pot holds the growing medium (I’ll get to that later) and the outer pot the nutrition solution in water.I put pebbles on the bottom of the outer pot and allow an inch or two of reservoir liquid in the pots at all times. Through capillary action known as “wicking,” the roots absorb this life-giving solution.

[DelawareJim]

So your growing in regular hydroponic then.

Cheers.
Jim

[NYCorchidman]

I don't think that is hydroponic since he didn't mention the plant is completely immersed in the solution. He said he leaves one or two inch reservoir at the bottom. sounds like s/h like anyone else is doing except he uses slightly different set up with type of pots involved.