Personal experiences with S/H (formerly The S/H NO List)

[kavanaru]

We have already a Thread (http://www.orchidboard.com/community...-s-h-list.html) providing info on all the plants we at OB have succesfully grown to S/H.
This list have helped me a lot whe I decided to move some of my plants to S/H. However, I thought that it would be also interesting to have a list of the plant that did not like S/H. this would help us avoid being in the circumstance of running around trying to save a plant that was not doing well...

let's sort the entries alphabetically as in the aboved mentioned thread

All plants I have transferred to S/H but one are still doing well, some of them growing and rooting.

My absolutelly NO S/H is:
Hexisea bidentata this plant does not like being to humid/wet... and decayed very quickly in S/H - I almost lost it... it was growing and rooting when transferred to S/H. Very quicklly it stopped growth and started decaying... needed to be set back to pine bark medium...



So far, I also know Tolumnia do not like it (however, some people have reported success with some clones/hybrids).

We could also include here those plants that liked a modification of S/H in order to do a good performance: I have read somewhere, that Psychopsis like charcoal mixed with the LECA... any other deviations are also welcomed here

[snow]

that,s a good idea Ramon
i only recently started growing s/h, so do not have any input sofar

[Ray]

Actually, I think this is a bad idea, as it can lead to misconceptions (I am against keeping a "yes" list for the same reason).

• There's a LOT more to orchid growing than just the pot, medium, and watering regimen.
• What is easy for one might be damned difficult for another, and the items I mentioned above don't constitute "the great equalizer".

For example, several here grow dendrobiums in S/H, so would add them to the "yes" list (just check it and you'll see). I can't grow them worth a damn that way, so I'd put them on the "no" list, based upon my experience.

Then there's the individual who considers s/h to be a "rescue" mechanism, and tries to revive a failing plant. It dies, so gets added to the "no" list, when in fact, semi-hydroponics played no role in that whatsoever.

[kavanaru]

well, I think the idea behind this listings is more to share our experiences. Once making clear that S/H is not a "rescue" method, also not a "Panacea", and keeping in mind that growing orchids succesfully depends on many factors, we can share also our experiences on what has done well and what not in S/H. For example, someone wants to start using S/H. First thing one normally do (or at least I would ) is to try to find as much information as possible. One thing interesting to know is the experience of others with this culture method. As you say in your own homepage, the answer to "would it grow on S/H?" is most of the time a "...probably, but it depends" (and then you explain there your point of view, which by the way, is a great help (at least it has been for me to understand S/H). Some of the first plants you get to know that do quite good in S/H are Phalaenopsis and Cattleyas, and therefore they sem to be a good start point for someone with less experience with orchids and trying to test something new. But let's see.. I have a Dendrobium.. would it work or not? I can see in a YES list, that some people do it pretty well and in the NO list some cannot manage them, maybe some others will say: "Add charcoal!" as for Psychopsis. Then it's up to you to decide, whether you want to give a try and take the challenge or just leave for the most experienced...

I have been in the situation myself. I have a Rhynchostillis gigantea which is not doing bad but also not the biggest success... I have thought of the option: S/H... however, I have seen that soem say NO to vandaceous in S/H but others have reported success for Rhynchostillis in S/H... I would like to know what they have done! so, since I am not very experienced with this genus... I have decided to stay on the standard culture method, as I get more information about it, and which I know better...

From my point of view, I do not considered it a bad idea to publish the bad experiences or the lack of success with one plant, especially not if this would help others...

[goodgollymissmolly]

I have to agree with Ray. Plants thrive or suffer and die for many reasons. To suggest that any success or failure is due to SH is far from a properly designed scientific experiment to determine cause and effect. Might as well flip a coin.

A determination of this complexity requires many plants, a set of controlled cultivation variables, and a standard control population. I doubt any of us are prepared for that effort.

[kavanaru]

Originally Posted by goodgollymissmolly

I have to agree with Ray. Plants thrive or suffer and die for many reasons. To suggest that any success or failure is due to SH is far from a properly designed scientific experiment to determine cause and effect. Might as well flip a coin.

A determination of this complexity requires many plants, a set of controlled cultivation variables, and a standard control population. I doubt any of us are prepared for that effort.

Absolutelly right on that... no one has said the opposite... but as you mention scientific experiments... pat of the scientific world is to show what has worked and what not and ifpossibel explain why...

up to you all guys... I consider this list as positive as the yes list...

[Ray]

Ramón, if everyone always kept the "I know it's not one thing" attitude, I would support this entirely.

Unfortunately, they do not.

[cb977]

I think both lists are fine. This is a discussion board...each person's opinion is just that...an opinion

It's been said a number of times, and will be repeated throughout the board again...what works for one person may or may not work for somebody else. The varying aspects of environment, culture and health of each individual plant MUST be taken into consideration.

Would it make folks more comfortable if we merged both lists and renamed it to reflect that it is an opinion-based discussion pertaining to personal experience?

[goodgollymissmolly]

Susanne, I guess it boils down to how you view this (and other) forums.

If you see it as a small scale, social networking site then I guess non-factual opinions from users of unknown expertise have a place. If you view it as a place to find mostly factual information about orchids and their culture, then biased, unproven opinions just confuse the users.

Personally, I'm looking for information from more experienced growers like Ray and a number of other contributors here. Opinions from novices that lack any factual rigor are not what I care about. It's all in the expectations, I guess. I have no problem with the day-to-day discussions regardless of their usefulness, but when you start making lists that appear to be factual, but really are not, I think it becomes a problem, not a solution.

[cb977]

when you start making lists that appear to be factual, but really are not, I think it becomes a problem, not a solution.

Jim, I disagree...

what the list is composed of is somebody's personal experience...it did happen...making their experience a fact.

I also hold Ray's knowledge in high regard, along with many others here...but that does not mean I'm not interested in hearing what others have experienced. I am always interested in hearing of the experiences people have.