Pros and Cons

[princesjess13]

Hello everyone,

I have been bouncing the idea of S/H lately and if I should go for it. I wanted to get some feedback from anyone on what they feel like the pros and cons of it are. I also wondering if I can reuse my slotted orchid pots or if I need to buy new pots?

Thank you!

[Ray]

Semi-hydroponics is just another method of growing orchids. What is a "pro" or "con" to you might very well be just the opposite for another grower.

Slotted pots will defeat the wicking action of the LECA medium.

Sounds like you may need to do more reading on the subject.

[Salixx]

As Ray said, slotted pots unmotified with not work. However, sealing the slots would make them useful. If you want to use them in the future as normal pots, I would use a semi-water proof tape like electrical tape. If you don't care, you could buy a small tube of aquarium-safe silicone and seal them semi-permanently.


Also, as Ray said, pros and cons are not set in stone. For instance, evaporative cooling is both a pro and con for me and my plants. It's a great plus for my cooling growing Masdevallias but I can't grow Phals in s/h in my conditions for the life of me and I suspect it's because of evaporative cooling.

[princesjess13]

Thanks everyone. I figured that I wouldn't be able to use the same pots. The pros and cons that I am wondering is about wet/dry cycles. I really don't mind watering more often to trigger the growth cycle. I am also wondering if people find it better when swinging pH levels. Thanks again everyone!

[Ray]

The idea behind S/H culture is to get the plants adapted to being constantly moist, so that you can water any time without fear of overwatering. For plants that require a rest, it's really more of a rest from nitrogen, than from water. Folks either let them go dry, or keep watering, but with absolutely no fertilizer during the dormant period.

I'm not sure where you're going with pH.

[princesjess13]

That helps a lot Ray thank you!!