Terrestrial orchids using wicking method?

[mimigirl]

I have anoectochilus chapensis which has never done well. I have been reading about semi-hydrophonics and it got me wondering. If these, and a ludisia dicolor, were potted in african violet soil would using the wicking method work? Same as the system for the violets. I am sure i would need to add some perlite to lighten the soil, but isn't this comparable to S/H? Has anyone here used it?

[Optimist]

I have my spathoglottis planted like that. It's a terrestrial orchid. I would attempt it on ludisia, simply because they are used in terrariums often enough.

[Ray]

I grow spathoglottis in store-bought, peat-based potting soil. Al of my other "terrestrials" - anoectochilus, ludisia, macodes, phaius, etc. - are in Air-Cone pots of sphagnum moss, sitting in trays so they are moistened from below.

That's not the same as semi-hydroponics. Similar, but not the same, due to the use of organic media.

[mtorchid]

I have a Paph Maudiae that does great in S/H (using clay pellets only). The wicking action works best with plenty of oxygen around the S/H medium to promote evaporation. African violet potting "soil" seems like it would be too dense to wick efficiently, but it may work (like a self-watering pot system for violets). Perhaps New Zealand sphagnum moss might be a better choice for a jewel orchid (?) You didn't mention the growing media you used on yours that wasn't satisfactory.

[Orchid Whisperer]

A friend that runs some of the greenhouses at the University of Georgia uses mostly perlite for Ludisia discolor. I think there is some organic matter in there, but it is mostly a very open mix. As Ray says, not strictly SH.

[mimigirl]

The perlite i can purchase anywhere locally. Since i only need a few core pots to start i can get them at our local orchid show in 3 months. In the meantime i can use a clear pot with holes at bottom, like s/h? The anoectochilus came in potting soil mtrchid. It bloomed, lost its lave and got new ones, but never got any bigger. I put it in mix spag and soil. Same thing. Spag only, same thing. Now it is in african violet soil.

[King_of_orchid_growing:)]

I have seen a few in-situ photos of Anoetochilus online, and some of them I've seen grow on rocks that are perpetually moist. It is possible to grow these kinds of orchids as a true lithophyte just fine if you know how to do it.

[mtorchid]

Mimi, good luck with the African Violet soil- it may be just it needs. It would be interesting to hear an update from you about it.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Orchid Whisperer

A friend that runs some of the greenhouses at the University of Georgia uses mostly perlite for Ludisia discolor. I think there is some organic matter in there, but it is mostly a very open mix. As Ray says, not strictly SH.

When I started experimenting, very coarse perlite (0.5"-0.75") was my first medium. It works pretty well, but over time, little bits crumble and form a suffocating sludge at the bottom of the pot.