S/H not working to well for me.

[dorinda]

I have several Orchids I planted in S/H some as far back as Oct.and others in Mid Nov. nothing is happening is it do soon to expect any new roots.I have them on a heating mat my sun room can cool down at night, it is heated. I tried to stay with cool growing ones but things are not looking promising. I do not live a warm climate, Northern Wi. I get great Morning light and late afternoon but that is not real intense.

[WaterWitchin]

A very short time in the orchid world. Have any pictures or specific questions other than not doing much?

[Ray]

WW is right, but I'll add that you really didn't pick the right time to move the plants.

The idea is to move plants into semi-hydroponics as new roots are emerging from the base of the plant. By doing so well in advance of that, the existing roots, which are not optimized for the new conditions, are likely struggling to keep the plants happy.

[Linda K716]

I don't have much experience, but I've watched probably 20 videos. Your old roots will die...they have to. new roots take a minimum of 4 months to start. Feeding with kelpmax helps. You shouldn't do it when it is in flower or trying to put up a flower spike. New growth wont happen as the plant is trying to keep the flower alive. If your old roots are dying off you can clip off all that are bad. S/H is a slow switch.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by Linda K716

I don't have much experience, but I've watched probably 20 videos. Your old roots will die...they have to. new roots take a minimum of 4 months to start. Feeding with kelpmax helps. You shouldn't do it when it is in flower or trying to put up a flower spike. New growth wont happen as the plant is trying to keep the flower alive. If your old roots are dying off you can clip off all that are bad. S/H is a slow switch.

Which is why it's vitally important to switch to S/H only when there is new root growth. Transplanting at the wrong time and waiting months for new root growth is the main reason for failure.

I would not clip off the dying roots, as that means unpotting and repotting the plant and causing further stress.

[homa]

Originally Posted by dorinda

I have several Orchids I planted in S/H some as far back as Oct.and others in Mid Nov. nothing is happening is it do soon to expect any new roots.I have them on a heating mat my sun room can cool down at night, it is heated. I tried to stay with cool growing ones but things are not looking promising. I do not live a warm climate, Northern Wi. I get great Morning light and late afternoon but that is not real intense.

I work at hydrophonic store and I have access of lot of product of kelp and all kind of nutrient, last october I bought two mini phal at home depot and all of them have flower and some nice bud, right after I bought and repot in semi hydro using hydroton , I have test with two phal in extreme stress enviroment, one using regular tap water (los angles CA) one with EM-1. in the first two month the one with EM-1 product show no site of stress of all and start have new root, the one using tap water root start get rot look no good, for light condition, 8 1/2 hours a day. 5 day a weeks, at weeken no light at all for two day, so I think EM-1 is the best for anti stress and repot

[Ray]

Kelp and EM-1 are used for totally different reasons.

Kelp extracts - and they vary greatly in performance, based upon species used, processing and age - are intended to stimulate growth. Those that are high in active auxins will be best for stimulating roots, and one (KelpMax) contains lots of other nutrient building blocks and other plant growth regulators that provide much broader enhancements.

EM-1 is a biological inocculant, which would be expected to protect the plants by predating pathogens and exuding antibiotics into the potting medium, as well as "beefing up" the plant as the population builds within the plant itself.
According to the manufacturer's website however, it only contains one species of beneficial bacteria. By contrast, Concentric Ag's Garden Solution product contains more than a dozen beneficial bacteria and fungi that provide a much more "broad spectrum" treatment, and courtesy of the beneficial fungi, can convert and absorb nutrients from throughout the potting medium (not just where the plants' roots are) and pump them directly into the plants. It's also 2/3 of the price!