I think we're all addicted to root porn. j/k

awesome roots. great job.

Hi. I put regular orchid friendly fertilizer at a low strength about a 1/4 straight into the resovoir maybe 1-2 times per month. Trying to get in the habit of doing a little more often. However, that's what I have done now and haven't had any nutrient burn whatsoever.

---------- Post added at 12:35 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:32 PM ----------

I would disagree. It's semi-hydroponics with a different pot. The fact that they consantly sit in a water resorvior and use inorganic medium is what makes it semi-hydroponics. THe type of pot has nothing to do with whether of not it is semi-hydroponic. They are in near constant water supply. That is semi-hydroponic.

---------- Post added at 12:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:35 PM ----------

Thanks so much!!!

Those are some nice roots. And so did you drop them into larger pots?

Originally Posted by WaterWitchin: That's actually not "real" S/H. It's using LECA as an inert growing medium.

:twocents: And I would most respectfully disagree with you, and would clarify I was speaking of "real" S/H as in Ray's trademarked method. An orchid grown in full water culture is also not semi-hydroponics, but would fit your descriptors.

Many use LECA as an inert growing medium. A net pot in a saucer of water is unable to sustain LECA in true semi-hydroponics, as the wicking of the LECA fails due to the net pot. The dry line would always be right above water/saucer height.

Another example of LECA as an inert growing medium: I have an onc. in a two quart clear container, originally drilled with a two-hole reservoir and used in "real" S/H fashion. It didn't like the dry line, and I'm a lazy waterer.

So I dumped out half the LECA and filled the top half with a bark/sphag/perlite mix. I still water it as one would S/H (Flush) but the dry line within a day or so is well below where the LECA line is. Sounds like S/H, but it's not. It's using the LECA as an inert medium to help sustain moisture in the dryer bark mix above it. I'll try to take a picture and post later.

Don't change anything!! Orchids do MUCH better with less fertilizer as opposed to more. I'm curious to see blooms from these plants.

And the point of s/h is to grow orchids in LECA with a water well. I'd say this is achieved here, albeit with more holes in the pot. Seems like true s/h to me.

Great advice. Thanks. I'll send bloom photos in the blooming forum soon. I have a lot spiking right now!