Full vs Semi water culture vs Semi-hydroponics: which is best?

[karrolhk]

Hi, I am a newbie. I have read much about what are:
- full water culture
- semi water culture, and
- semi-hydroponics

But, I can't find a discussion about a comparison of the 3 methods. What are the pros and cons of each method? and what is the best for different climates?

I believe the answer to which is the best would be: "it depends". Yeah, but depending on what factors? could somebody pls explain?

[Clawhammer]

You don't see a lot of water culture around these parts. I don't think that it is a superior method under any circumstance, but it is kind of a fun experiment.

Semi hydro works well for growing plants that prefer cooler conditions than your environment allows. The open and high humidity environment around the root zone is helpful under these circumstances.

[estación seca]

I've not tried full water culture. I did a lot of reading and concluded it doesn't work long term for most orchids. I have grown Vandas in vases I filled daily then emptied, but this became too time-consuming as my collection expanded.

For most of my orchids I use the S/H method as described by its inventor, Ray Barkalow. This is an important point. There is much misinformation about S/H online. You can read what Ray wrote at his Web site, firstrays.com, and learn to do it correctly.

[thefish1337]

TeChNiCaLlY everyone growing epiphytic orchids is practicing some form hydroponic culture. Ray Barkalow understood this before most and modified the container and identified the best type of soil-less media to refine the method as well as publishing a lot of high quality information about orchid culture on the web. A big thing that Ray identified within orchids is that plants produce physiologically adapted roots for their environment if you understand this fully and completely then you can make most methods work successfully.

Hydroponic definition:

"Hydroponics[1] is a type of horticulture and a subset of hydroculture, which is a method of growing plants, usually crops, without soil, by using mineral nutrient solutions in an aqueous solvent

[karrolhk]

Originally Posted by Clawhammer

Semi hydro works well for growing plants that prefer cooler conditions than your environment allows.

Thank you. Could you explain a bit more on this please? you mean that semi hydro is not that suitable for warmer climates?

[Clawhammer]

Originally Posted by karrolhk

Thank you. Could you explain a bit more on this please? you mean that semi hydro is not that suitable for warmer climates?

It is great for warmer climates. It allows you to grow plants that may prefer slightly cooler temperatures in your warm environment by reducing temps and increasing humidity around the root zone

[thefish1337]

Originally Posted by karrolhk

Thank you. Could you explain a bit more on this please? you mean that semi hydro is not that suitable for warmer climates?

People growing in hot climates tend to struggle keeping the roots cooler on cool growers. Evaporative cooling which is enhanced by semi-hydro can lower the root zone temps. Conversely, in cooler environments this may hinder the ability of a grower to be successful with warmer growers. If you grow in a controlled environment this is not a worry because you can adjust accordingly. If you grow outdoors or in a temperate greenhouse or on a windowsil this is something to consider.

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by karrolhk

Hi, I am a newbie. I have read much about what are:
- full water culture
- semi water culture, and
- semi-hydroponics

But, I can't find a discussion about a comparison of the 3 methods. What are the pros and cons of each method? and what is the best for different climates?

I believe the answer to which is the best would be: "it depends". Yeah, but depending on what factors? could somebody pls explain?

I suggest you go to the S/H threads and read up. There is a wealth of information there which may answer your questions as they come up. And welcome to the OB.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...ponic-culture/

[karrolhk]

Thanks! I was excited to discover a wealth of info on Ray's site. So, can I conclude that S/H is more superior than full water culture and semi water culture because it is unlikely to cause root rotting or molding (like full water culture) and it is not time-consuming (like semi water culture)?

Do you know if we still need to repot every year using the S/H method? how often should it be? I wonder if there would be a build-up of salts or nutrients in the LECA granules if they are not taken out to have a deep clean from time to time... I was trying to find this info on Ray's site but coulnd't find the answer.. maybe I haven't finished reading all his articles...

Btw, I am curious if Ray invented S/H for growing orchids only and then other people applied the same technique in growing other houseplants?

Sorry for so many questions..

[Dusty Ol' Man]

Originally Posted by karrolhk

Thanks! I was excited to discover a wealth of info on Ray's site. So, can I conclude that S/H is more superior than full water culture and semi water culture because it is unlikely to cause root rotting or molding (like full water culture) and it is not time-consuming (like semi water culture)?

Do you know if we still need to repot every year using the S/H method? how often should it be? I wonder if there would be a build-up of salts or nutrients in the LECA granules if they are not taken out to have a deep clean from time to time... I was trying to find this info on Ray's site but coulnd't find the answer.. maybe I haven't finished reading all his articles...

Btw, I am curious if Ray invented S/H for growing orchids only and then other people applied the same technique in growing other houseplants?

Sorry for so many questions..

The way I understand it, and remember, I have not yet taken the plunge, the substrate doesn't break down so there is no need to repot unless the plant outgrows the container. As far as salt buildup goes, if you feed weakly weekly there won't be much to build up, and you can flush the medium without removing anything from the container. It all seems extremely simple to me. And when the weather warms a little I will be looking for supplies to make the move with any new plants I acquire. Good luck growing.