What orchids don't do well in Semi-hydro?

[Jeanelle]

Hello,
I've been enjoying this forum for quite some time and have really learned a lot!

I'm in the process of switching my collection over to semi-hydro and wonder the experience others have with certain types.
Mostly in question:
Angraecum and Aerangis
Dendrochilum
Aerides odorata
Rhynchostylis gigantea
Holcostylis MS Sunlight

Has anyone tried any of these with success? I appreciate any input.
Thanks!

[Subrosa]

I have a couple Dendrochilum in s/h, doing very well. What I have found is that s/h tends to run cooler than standard culture, so any plant that you're near the lower limits on its temp tolerance with could be difficult for you in s/h unless you supply extra heat.

[estación seca]

Aerides and Rhynchostylis have very long, wandering roots. I think it would be difficult to convince them to stay in the pot, and soon they would no longer be growing in S/H.

You will need to water the Dendrochilum very often until it is established in S/H. They don't tolerate drying out. If the roots don't reach into the wet zone, they may dry out, and the plant will be harmed. Once roots grow into the wet zone you will be able to cut back on watering.

[Subrosa]

Originally Posted by estación seca

Aerides and Rhynchostylis have very long, wandering roots. I think it would be difficult to convince them to stay in the pot, and soon they would no longer be growing in S/H.

You will need to water the Dendrochilum very often until it is established in S/H. They don't tolerate drying out. If the roots don't reach into the wet zone, they may dry out, and the plant will be harmed. Once roots grow into the wet zone you will be able to cut back on watering.

Absolutely. I inadvertently let my D. quadrilobum get a bit dry shortly after I transitioned it last year, and lost quite a bit of it before it stabilized. It has grown well this year and flowered.

[Jeanelle]

Oh, I forgot this...

Dimorphorchis Lowii

[estación seca]

Are you familiar with Dimorphorchis lowii? It gets big. I spoke with Ben Ooi regarding this plant at the Tamiami show in January 2018. He said it requires very high humidity, and warm temperatures. It would be hard to keep happy outside a warm and humid greenhouse.

Dimorphorchis lowii at Ooi Leng Sun Orchids
Dimorphorchis lowii 'Farmington' x self presented by Orchids Limited

As for S/H, it is in the same plant group as Aerides and Rhynchostylis, so it too will have wandering roots.

[camille1585]

This thread might help. It's not a list of plants that don't do well in S/H, but the opposite.

The S/H list

[Jeanelle]

Thanks Camille,
I did see the list but am glad you posted, I didn't realize everyone had posted their own lists the first time I looked. I noticed it's been over 10 years so thought there might be new information.

Jeanelle

[camille1585]

True that the thread is starting to be rather old, but it's still a good starting point for information! Species that worked well in s/h 10 years ago will still do well in s/h now.
If there is enough new information coming up in this thread we could also make a sticky of it.

[Ray]

ANY plants can be grown in semi-hydroponics - IF the rest of your growing conditions work well with the properties of the S/H pot to provide what the specific plant needs. That does NOT however, mean that everyone can grow that type of plant in S/H.

I, with arguably more S/H experience an anyone, cannot grow a hard-cane dendrobiums that way to save my soul, yet others claim it's "the ideal beginner plant" for the growing technique.

I know folks who particularly well with vandaceous plants (not me though), but they are windowsill growers in very dry climates.

There is a lady in Delaware who wins awards for her cacti and succulents grown that way. I never would have imagined that to be possible.