Explanation of Semi Hydro Orchid Growing

[cluelessmidwesterner]

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin

I live in northeastern Kansas in a house built in 1907. Fifty some windows total, all but three original to the house. Pretty much all my orchids are in S/H. <snip>

Oh... and I keep phals upstairs for the most part, other than the few that are mounted. When I kept them in the basement I used a couple of seedling heat mats. They live upstairs now because I have a place for them that nosy dogs can't reach. Upstairs temps 68 day, 65 night.

Short answer: Why not give it a try?

It sounds interesting.

Whilst I do have two nosy canines, they're not the ones I would need to worry about. They're only 11" at the withers. It's the four indoor cats that would be the problem. Especially if they discover an available heat mat.

The Cardis and the cats have an agreement. The cats get to counter surf and sample anything the foolish male humans have left out on the counter as long as they push off the edge so the dogs can have some.

[cluelessmidwesterner]

I have toying with the idea of repotting my mini Phal I purchased earlier this week into s/h (see small Phal questions in Beginner Dissuasion for photos/description). I have poked holes in a single row around middle the cheap plastic liner for now.

From what I have read from Ray's website the "transplant shock" in theory would be minimal going from moss to s/h. It would also help take a little of the guesswork out of watering for me since it since it's watering needs due to the small size than a larger Phal.

It is in flower/bud presently and the moss is packed tight. I understand I have to wait until I see new roots forming since the Phal has to adjust to all the changes in environment/care.

My concern now is my inexperience in general, with moss in particular (watering inexperience) and with how tightly packed the moss is. I keep wondering if there is something minimally invasive proactively that I can do now to help protect the root zone until new root growth begins with longer days/warmer weather. I know its up to the plant and what I do but I would like try to prevent a problem **if** I am able.

[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.

[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?

[Ray]

Personally, I'd use the kelp extract for watering it in, then the next two waterings. Too much can overstress the plant.

[Ruiza5]

I am also new if it goes to semi-hydro growing orchids. I have never tried it, but for sure I will. I grow orchids since a few years and to be honest I don't know much about them. I only water them and admire how they bloom! Need to challenge myself with semi-hydro!

[Ray]

If you follow the instructions - repot at the right time, be sure your growing conditions + S/H work we'll make the plant happy, and flood it each time you water - and orchid-growing will be less of a challenge.