Pros and Cons of S/H?

[Reeses]

I've been doing a lot of reading on S/H recently, and I'm very intrigued by it. I especially like the aspect that you can't over-water, and I think it would make the watering process a lot easier.

I was wondering if those of you with experience could tell me what you see as being the biggest pros and cons (if any). I know there's an adjustment period and weaker plants might not survive, but I see that as an inherent risk, not a con.

Any insight would be appreciated! I feel like this has the potential to be the future of orchid growing.

[Joyorchid]

What would you be growing in it? I grow mainly phals and neofinetia.

[ALToronto]

Not all plants do well in s/h. Ive killed a few, and had to rescue others before they died. I couldn't grow phals in it at all - they were far too cold, and my pets kept chewing the power cord from the heat pad, so I couldn't use it.

I have 4 catts left in s/h, and one is about to bloom for the first time. Here is a photo of one of the s/h dwellers - I don't think it matters what it's growing in.

[Reeses]

Wow ALToronto, those roots are awesome! Joyorchid, I have two Phals. and two Onc. hybrids. That's an interesting point about temperature--my room is a fairly steady 72, dipping a few degrees at night. (Unfortunately I don't have a designated orchid room....yet!) But it also tends to be very dry, and I feel like I'm battling the humidity. I thought maybe s/h would help, though I know it's no substitute for having higher general humidity.

[Joyorchid]

Originally Posted by Reeses

Wow ALToronto, those roots are awesome! Joyorchid, I have two Phals. and two Onc. hybrids. That's an interesting point about temperature--my room is a fairly steady 72, dipping a few degrees at night. (Unfortunately I don't have a designated orchid room....yet!) But it also tends to be very dry, and I feel like I'm battling the humidity. I thought maybe s/h would help, though I know it's no substitute for having higher general humidity.

I live in extreme low humidity and thats why I use it, but ALToranto makes a good point. With s/h you have evaporative cooling effects due to how the media wicks moisture up the pot. Better humidity, yes, but phal roots do not like to be cool. That why I use a seedling heat mat when I first introduce a plant into s/h. Some phals take to it like fish to water, but I have had a few die on me.

Firstrays.com has some good info and Ray contributes often to this forum. He is the expert on s/h.

[RosieC]

Like the comments above, I've found the downside to be the cooling that occurs.

For me Phals do well in the summer but not in the winter. Heat mats can help, but that's not practical for all my phals, so I don't grow Phals in S/H any more.

Plants that are happier with cooler temps do well for me. I'm finding it a great way to grow onc alliance plants.

[Ray]

I developed the growing technique, and I don't have all of my plants in it.

Alla's comment:

Originally Posted by ALToronto

Not all plants do well in s/h.

is incomplete. It should be "Not all plants do well in S/H under a specific set of growing conditions."

The simple fact is that ANY plant can be grown in semi-hydroponics, IF the rest of your growing conditions, water supply, and watering habits "mesh" well with it to provide what the plants need. (I have a customer winning awards for her S/H-grown cacti and succulents.)

As she mentioned, cooling of the roots is the biggest change the technique brings. The moist, yet open, airy medium provides a lot of opportunity for evaporation, and that can lead to cooling. If you live in a warm climate and want to grow cool-growing plants, that can be a "plus", but if you grow warmth-lovers in a cool environment, that can be a major negative.

On the other hand, if your ambient humidity level is high, the evaporation rate will be significantly decreased, so will be neither a boon in my first example, nor a bane to the second.

I mentioned water supply, as - if you grow in a high-evaporation environment - a water supply with lots of minerals in it is going to build up rapidly, potentially "poisoning" the plants. In my greenhouse, which is quite humid, that simply isn't an issue, as my watering frequency works with it to never really let the medium dry out.

As far as the "transition period" is concerned, and you're understanding that losses are a "risk", you can minimize the risk by understanding exactly what that "transition" consists of: growing new roots that will adapt themselves to the new environment, replacing the old ones. That happens any time to repot an orchid, but the environment of the S/H pot is usually so different from the previous one, that the old roots are incapable of sustaining the plant well enough during that root-replacement period. If you only repot a plant that has new roots just emerging, you will likely have a very high probability of success.

[WaterWitchin]

For what 'tis worth... I love S/H. It's great being able to quickly see if I need to water (I use all clear containers); the downside is it appears I water more frequently. Great for orchids, not so good for me.

Appears to keep humidity level higher, although I still need to supplement. The phals do well IF I provide a heat mat... I have a few more phals than I want to provide heat for.

Very hard water in my area, 400+, thus rapid mineral buildup. I don't have time/desire to water all with R/O or rain water all the time. Although it is easier to keep track of mineral buildup.

Being a relative newbie to orchids (growing since 2007) I am just now experimenting with mounting them... and find I really, really like it. But will likely, for now, keep the majority in S/H... at least until I'm sure being mounted likes me as much as I like mounting. Hmmmm.... not sure I like the sound of that sentence.

For larger specimens, the orchid, plus the media, plus the pot makes for a pretty darned heavy plant. With two arthritic, not-so-strong nerve damaged hands, and being height challenged, it can make lifting/moving the ones higher up a real circus act.

In the overall scheme of things, I think it's personal preference as to how one goes about their care and culture, and how it fits into one's lifestyle and available time. If S/H doesn't suit you, the orchids will let you know. I've had many an orchid bail out on me in a bark mix... not so much in S/H.

---------- Post added at 07:13 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:11 AM ----------

And I see Ray has posted while I was attempting to. Yes, what Ray sez.

[Reeses]

Thank you all so much! The temperature difference is awesome to know about. That's the sort of thing I was looking for. I think I might start by helping my mom transfer her Sharry Baby into S/H. If that works out for hers, maybe eventually I will try my onc. alliance plants in it.

Thanks again!

[NYCorchidman]

Oncidiums will do amazingly well in s/h. Just makes sure you make the move when they begin to grow new roots and all will be good.

Sharry Baby is a common hybrid, but if you have something rare or something you really like, then wait until you have two divisions before switching them into s/h just to be safe.

Good luck!