S/H Questions

[jaylla]

After reading the guides on firstrays.com, I'm thinking of trying this.

Can I plant in any size container? Since you can't overwater using this method, it seems like you could put the plant in any size container.

Also, I'm thinking of trying this on a phal that has been putting out a lot of new roots but I see some people saying that the phals don't like it because the roots get too cold. Other people say theirs do fine.

I live in the south by the coast so it is very hot and humid here. I keep the air conditioner around 78 in the day and then at night I turn it down to 72. In the winter it gets in the low 60s in the house at night. I don't want to have to use a heating pad. Do you think these conditions would be okay without one?

[mtorchid]

I would suggest that orchids (like Paphs) that like to be continuously moist be in smaller containers, otherwise you'd be watering the top most LECA almost everyday in a larger container. Larger plants, of course, would go into larger containers. Actually you CAN overwater in SH, I've done it. Like any potting media, you need to learn it's wet/dry cycle in YOUR growing conditions, which, of course, will vary with the seasons.

I live in Montana where the temps COULD get down to 20 below zero in the house (if it weren't for the furnace running constantly! ;-) My Phals do quite well in SH w/out heating mats, but I would assume they would enjoy the extra warmth. All my electric outlets are in use with lights in the winter, however.