First semi-hydro experiment and its progress

[Lani]

When I started reading about S/H I couldn’t wait to give it a go. I FINALLY found some LECA at our local hydroponic store, sacrificed a tall plastic tumbler, drilled a hole and it was good to go.

My test subject was a VERY sad NOID phal that I have had for... um well years. It comes from the BIKWIWD (Before I Knew What I Was Doing) era and it has lived in a state of dehydration for a loooong time. I can’t even remember what colour it is….
I know you are meant to switch plants to S/H when they are healthy but what can I say, I’m a risk taker. I had to trim one of the roots back to prevent it sitting in the water reservoir. I coated to cut with a paste of cinnamon powder and honey. Applied with a brush, this is loads easier to get where you want it than dry cinnamon powder and besides, honey (manuka) has antibacterial properties so I figured it can’t hurt.
So here’s the picture story from October 2013
1. Our test plant in current pot
2. Possible root nub
3. Bare rooted
4. Selected container
5. Potting companion
6.&7. End product

[Lani]

I expected the existing roots to rot; they did/have not. Nothing happened for AGES. Then a little green root appeared out of the LECA, right down the bottom - out of the existing root I suspect. Again nothing more happened and the root did not get any larger. Then I noticed a new leaf starting. I lost track of time with Christmas but new root nubs eventually appeared.

And today, 3 and a bit months later, this is how we are looking. Quite please with the results of this experiment. Hopefully I will rediscover the colour of this little fellow sometime in the future!

[billc]

Nice recovery.

Bill

[vjo]

Lookin good!....Jean

[OCRC_Dir_China]

A great job........

[The Orchidist]

Can i ask how often were you watering this and are these tall plastic tumblers somthing from a dollar store? That phal is looking great and i am thinking of doing all my phals like this

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[Tabbyblack13]

For watering, all you need to do is keep some water in the reservoir. The hole is about an inch or little more above the bottom of the reservoir. You don't have to keep it filled to the hole but there has to be something in there. You should flush the reservoir out with water every so often. I do once a week but other may have input into this.

You will need to use distilled or reverse osmosis water as well unless the water you have is low in total dissolved solids (TDS).

I have a Dtps chain 'Mars Purple' that lost all of its roots on me. So I put it in s/h and a few weeks later it's starting to get new roots.

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[The Orchidist]

Yes i do use R,o water and going to go out and search for nutes containing calcium as i have read that if you have ro water the calcium needs to be replaced somehow , thanks for your info and will let everyone know how it works out

You mentioned resovoir , i assume this the plastic tumbler , i have trays in which i can place them in and add water for extra humidity, i use HPS 430 watt for lighting @ 12 hour cycles,

[Tabbyblack13]

The reservoir is in the tumbler. It's in the space below the hole. The calcium additive is most for taste since RO water will absorbs carbon dioxide from the air making the water slightly acidic.

Edit: I forgot to mention that the humidly for the roots will be from the reservoir. The tray of water shouldn't be needed. Also think about putting a seedling heat pad under the s/h pots. When I did this my plants in s/h took off.

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[The Orchidist]

Thanks for the info , i took the plunge this afternoon and did 3 of my chids in S/H , one mini phal and i split a cattalaya in 2 and hopes for the best.



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