Back to Bark?

[ALToronto]

I have 3 catts and a phrag that are doing reasonably well in s/h, but 3 other catts went downhill fast and had to be rescued. One is struggling in bark, the other 2 have been mounted and couldn't be happier. Two phals died in s/h, one phal is now doing well in pure sphagnum.

It's not a one-size-fits-all method, different plants react differently to it. Do whatever each plant likes, you may have to try a few different media to find the one that works best for your conditions.

I grow about 1/4 of my plants in draining LECA or lava rock, and I water them every day.

[AnonYMouse]

Originally Posted by greenpassion

Just curious. Has anyone ever had plants in S/H and decided (for what ever reason) to go back to a bark mix? I have a friend who finds S/H so much more work than just simply watering regularly.

Do you know why your friend thinks this?

I would love to switch all my plants to S/H but have had mixed results. So far my catts love it but I've killed all the NoID phals I've tried (probably the cold LECA got them).

[greenpassion]

Anon, I'm surprised your phals have not done well. I have predominantly grown phals in S/H, and never lost one. I can't grow catts due to lighting issues. From what I've learned, if you are introducing any orchid to S/H, use a heat mat to encourage root growth. This is off topic from my co-worker that started this discussion, but phals are really smooth to acclimate to S/H in my limited experience. If you have 'cold leca', as I said, use a heat mat and be sure to have good air circulation as well as the needed humidity levels. I don't have a greenhouse- I grow my orchids in my living area, under natural LED lights from a reputable orchid grower, and windowsill culture as well. S/H on many levels is really finer tuned than 'bark' culture, but, it does require an alternative way of caring for the plants. My friend also has no greenhouse, and was introduced into S/H thru me, and again, like myself, has to carry each orchid over to his kitchen (could be bathroom?) sink each week to flush with RO water, then if required, feed them. He has complained to me that if his plants were just in regular potting media, all he'd have to do it water. Period (Why am I the go between here? (He needs to join this board!!!) I have 27 orchids that I carry over each time to care for. I admit, it's very time consuming, and, when I take into consideration the time it takes to make my RO water, we're talking half a day off of work just 'doing' orchids. Hmmmm......

[DelawareJim]

I've been using S/H for several years now and for the most part prefer it; even though I'm still a windowsill grower watering in the sink.

When I first started, I mistakenly thought of it as a "cure-all" and lost a fair number of plants. I had problems with mineral buildup and root desiccation in the winter and was about to give up until I put my plants outside for the summer.

That summer, everything fell into place. The plants thrived, mineral deposits for the most part were washed away, but most importantly, I learned a lot! The most important things I learned were to really understand what my plants require and pay attention to water quality. Basically, it forced me to be a better grower. There's a certain "stability" the plants achieve when grown well and not disrupted every couple of years.

It would be easier if I grew in bark and could just "reset" my plants every couple of years by repotting, but it wouldn't be as rewarding.

Cheers.
Jim

[AnonYMouse]

@ grrenpassion, I got heat mats and lights for my conventionally grown Phals, since they stalled out with the cooler weather. Since then, one of the spikes has resumed growing. I'm willing to try another S/H Phal but no longer have space. I used to be just a window sill grower, now I have shelves as well.

~ ~ ~
I have only a few S/H plants but take all my plants to the sink to flush. I top off during regular rounds with a squirt bottle or sprayer (with or without fertilizer/supplements). Since most are miniatures, I tray them up by growing area and take them to the sink. I do different areas (window or shelf) on different days.

I say regular rounds but in reality, I'm inconsistent and that's where S/H is an advantage for me. No over/under watering.

[greenpassion]

You know Anon Y Mouse, you may be onto something. I have two separate growing areas as well, (3 if you count my bedroom where I have 2 blooming sharry babies and 3 mini phal NOIDS which are just new to S/H.) and splitting it up according to areas might feel like it's quicker. I can't really tray up mine, as I have full size as well as mini's, but still. Today I 'made water' at the same time as I flushed and fed. It also felt more expedient.

[jkrobins]

Last spring when repotting some orchids I decided to experiment with S/H vs. bark. I repotted two large C. Jewell Box 'Dark Waters', one in S/H and one into a larger pot in bark. These are old plants, divisions from ones purchased from Hauserman's at least 20 years ago. (I have probably given away 15 "babies" from these plants.) So far so good. They both look great. Five or more new leads with sheath's forming.
At the same time I divided a big Phrag. Grande and put one in bark and one in S/H they also both look happy with several new leads.
Both of these should bloom in Jan to March so i will post pictures then.
By the way C. Elizabeth Carlson 'York; was not so happy. I guess the new roots were too developed and the plant is very stressed but it does have one healthy new lead.
The issue of moving plants to water is not a problem for me because I grow everything on humidity trays.

[RosieC]

I've had mixed results, I love the technique for some types of plants and have recently moved more into it, for others it doesn't work for me.

My conditions are too cold for Phals to grow in S/H, as S/H will slightly lower the root temps and as my temps are on the low end for Phals anyway. I grow them in leca with great success now, but not with the S/H watering style.

Oncidium types do best for me in S/H. They are still an alliance I struggle with, but the ones in S/H are starting to really do well for me now. One I moved into it in the spring is flowering for me now for the first time in years

I have a Zygo which was almost dead and was rootless. I got it going again in S/H and it only struggles if I let the reservoir dry out now. I wouldn't put that one in anything else.

I like growing Phrags in S/H and have recently been trying Paphs as well. Yet to see how that goes. Some Den Phalathe types I'm also trying in S/H just now. We'll see.

Originally Posted by Ray

As to the "more work" subject, I suppose that has to do with your setup. In the greenhouse, where I don't have to worry about containing the drainage, it's an effort minimizer. Heck, I even have an overhead system on a remote control, so I can stand in my kitchen window at 5 am before going to work, push one button, and for the next 20 minutes, it's a monsoon.

Folks who have to cart plants to the sink may have a different opinion, but there are ways to control that in the home, too.

This is what I have found on amount of work. I don't have such a great setup of pressing a button (now I want one ) but I can just go in the greenhouse and pour water over everything and the S/H ones just naturally keep the reservoir they need and it's all really quick.

When the Oncidium types come into the house for winter it becomes more of a faff. However just now I've developed a good system of carying a bucket round with me. I hold the plant/pot over the bucket, pour water in the top so it runs out, then when water has stopped coming out I tip just slightly so the reservoir is just lower than the maximum level it can be, so it does't slosh out as I put it back on the window ledge, then put it back in place. Seems to be working well so far

[Vanda lover]

I have a milt, onc, phrag, phal dens, phals and reed stemmed epi all growing in s/h in lava rock. Sometimes rather than take them to the sink, I carry a pail to where they are and just flood the pot there. All are doing well, but I am tempted to change a couple back to coconut chips because I get ferns and moss growing in the medium. We are in a rain forest area. I may just try using outer pots to block light.

[LovePhals]

The oncidium I had in it got algae growing on the roots where it meets the psuedobulb, not just the pot sides, and my root growth wasn't good. I assumed it was the algae inhibiting the growth. I have an epicatt. in it also which seems to be doing very well, so I will keep it in that medium for now. I am doing a physan flush once a month to kill off the algae and that works very well.