Anyone has success with SH in UK?

[Foxy2702]

I am new to concept of SH or FWC but would like to try it , all but few of my orchids are in bark, some in Seramise. I would like to try SH or Water culture but have gut feeling that lower temperatures and rather high humidity might not be best for these types of growing. Is anyone out here from UK who is successfully growing in SH or full water culture?

[Kevstar]

I too would like to know the answer to this. All of mine are in a bark mix and after watching about a million YouTube videos I would like to try SH as I quite like the look, but I'm not sure whether the UK is the right place to do it?

I might just take the plunge and try it out on one of my phals and see how it gets on. Next problem is trying to source the medium as I can't find it anywhere!!!

I'll let you know how I get on with it...

[camille1585]

If your house gets quite cool in the winter, I would not use a Phal as your test subject, unless you get a heat mat to place it on. The evaporative cooling effect of SH will cool the root zone, and in a cool climate such as the UK (excluding a heat wave like this summer, of course), the combination makes the pot uncomfortably cool for a Phal. They much prefer warmth, and can tolerate a somewhat cool air temperature far better than a cool root zone.

As to the medium, you can't find any sort of clay pellets?? Some brands wick better than others, but you'll know that by trial and error unfortunately.

[Kevstar]

Thanks for the great advice. That makes perfect sense. I'll keep going with the bark mix then seeing as that works for me 😊👍

[EleanorChang]

I am in the UK, just starting my orchid journey in S/H because I somehow manage to keep my home warm (Day 23C/ Night 15-19C, with humidity between 35 to 55) over the winter period and because I have a tendency to overwater my plants.

I brought my LECA from Ikea but it does take some preparation time to clean it. I have taken sound advice from this forum to avoid Phals in S/H, I have a trial Phal in WC though - not sure if it is recovering or struggling, but then again I can't seem to grow Phals full stop even in bark - I am still a novice at the orchid scene despite reading endless articles and scouring the forums.

However, I am seeing positive results with my Cattleya and Dendrobium Phals - quick recovery and root growth with the aid of the heat mats.

[camille1585]

Oncidiums would probably be a good choice to try S/H in the UK, if you are really keen on testing the method. Miltoniopsis may do well, since they generally like the cooler English climate.

[inga]

I'm from the UK and grow all of my orchids in S/H. They are doing fine. One of them, laelia, has been in S/H since 2011.