s/h hydropon alternatives?
 

hi,

I've been reading about Hydroponics lately and would like to try S/H on some of my orchids, but where I am right now there are no Hydropons available. I was wondering, is there an alternative to the clay used in S/H?
Thanks

I think Prime Agra and Hydroton are what most people use. I order mine off the internet but I've also bought some from vendors at the local orchid show.

I'm not sure about viable alternatives. Both of the names mentioned above are types of LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregated) which are somewhat unique for their ability to wick moisture from the reservoir and the shape with allows for air pockets. I haven't heard of another inorganic medium that will match those properties.

I'm none too savvy on S/H, but I've seen people using perlite/spongerok, lava rock, and pumice in similar setups. I think you could also use gravel or coarse sand, though the wicking action of all of these is going to be somewhat different from LECA. I actually just put a couple of rescue Phal seedlings into S/H pots with sponge rock (coarse perlite) on top of a heat mat in an attempt to save them. Where are you located, Camille?

--Nat

Thanks for the feedback Olivia and Gnathaniel, i'm in Turkey right now so it's a bit difficult to come across some supplies, i can order from the US worst case scenario, but 1st I wanted to search for alternatives...

I have heard that folks use rice husks as an alternative to Leica in S/H setups. Full disclosure - I've never done this myself and have never even seen it done. Does anyone remember the name of the OB member who grows this way?

-J

Rice husks sounds familiar but I don't remember who uses them.

Way back in the day my brother successfully used perlite for a hydroponics set up with beans for a school project. The only thing I would keep in mind with that is the size of the pieces. The stuff I see here in the US is all pretty fine grade. The reason I mention this is that there seem to be two sizes of LECA available and Ray (if I remember correctly) recommends the coarser grade for most mature orchids.

Exactly what i was thinking, perlite. I dunno if it would work with Phals, since they have large roots, maybe larger sized Perlite would do. And when using something such as perlite, is it ok to use it alone? So many questions sorry guys but as i said i'm new to orchids :) but eager to learn as much as i can to keep mine good and healthy. Thanks!

I would think you could use the larger size perlite just like the hydroton. My brother certainly didn't add anything to it other than the appropriate fertilizers when watering.

Though perlite is rather light weight compared to hydroton. You may need additional help anchoring the plants in it.

My first experiments that led to the development of S/H culture used 3/4" #4 perlite.

Works fine at first, but over time the particles tend to crumble, leaving a suffocating sludge at the bottom of the pot.

Thanks Olivia and Ray, so i guess over time Perlites a no-no :s

I couldn't get hydopon easily here, so I have been growing in lava rock. I'm finding that it works very well and is much cheaper. It also won't roll away If a pot gets knocked over. I have heard that the drawback is that the minerals will build up more, but if it is flush often, that shouldn't be a problem. It may need to be changed a little sooner.
Perlite floats too easily and would make it hard to keep plants in place.

Thanks for the info on long-term perlite, Ray, I'll keep that in mind as I try to rehab my new Phals.

The only OB member I've seen talking about using rice husks as potting medium is johnblagg, though I don't recall him saying he used it for s/h (not saying he didn't, just that I haven't seen it). Rice husks seem like they'd break down pretty fast with constant moisture, personally I'd stick with inorganic media for s/h.

--Nat

I agree. The whole idea is that they are growing in something that can't rot.

Rice Hulls are NOT good for semi-hydro! They decompose.