Explanation of Semi Hydro Orchid Growing

[cluelessmidwesterner]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

For what it's worth, I've moved phals, both small and huge, to S/H from moss without them losing a beat. Regardless of whether there was new growth, or in bloom. Especially one from a big box store or grocery, likely it's tightly packed moss. If that's what you want to do (move to S/H instead of bark).

Phals are pretty darned tough plants. If you decide to wait, just make sure you don't overwater. With the clear plastic liner it's in, shouldn't be hard to determine when it's time to water again. Overwatering in tightly packed moss likely will do more damage than moving over. Just make sure if you move... keep it warm.

Its presently in a 2" pot. Would I want to go, depending on quality of the roots, to a 3"?

How tall of a "pot" would it need to be put in? I don't want to over pot (is that possible with this method?).

[Ray]

Originally Posted by cluelessmidwesterner

Its presently in a 2" pot. Would I want to go, depending on quality of the roots, to a 3"?

How tall of a "pot" would it need to be put in? I don't want to over pot (is that possible with this method?).

Overpotting is far less of a concern with S/H, as the medium wicks the water quite uniformly.

I have gone from 2" to 15" with an oncidium, and it did just fine, but a quart deli container (4.5" diameter x 6" tall) would be fine.

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by cluelessmidwesterner

Its presently in a 2" pot. Would I want to go, depending on quality of the roots, to a 3"?

How tall of a "pot" would it need to be put in? I don't want to over pot (is that possible with this method?).

Just what Ray says. ^^ For that size plant, I usually go with a 4" x 6" clear tupperware type canister, or a large clear plastic drinking cup, or a large size egg drop soup container (the deli container Ray mentions).

[cluelessmidwesterner]

I repotted my miniature Phal in semi-hydro last Tuesday, Dec. 24th, in a quart container with a seeding mat on under the pot to keep the Leca/roots warm (today was a balmy 20 degrees F outside).

When I water the next few waterings, do I use just kelp extract to promote root growth after flushing the reservoir with regular water? Or a combination of weak fertilizer/kelp? Or just use plain Jane water for the next few weeks until root growth?