Modified Semi-Hydroponic Culture
 

Being the inventor of the culture technique for orchids, over time, I have moved pretty much all of my tropical houseplants into S/H culture, as well, but I have modified the approach slightly.

Some of the plants are in the "Leni" or Luwassa", 3-component hydro pots (solid outer pot that creates the reservoir, mesh culture pot that contains the LECA and plant, and a float gauge that keeps you apprised of the water depth in the reservoir), except I have removed the gauge, replacing it with a "watering globe". I have also converted other decorative outer pots to this by merely hot-gluing a piece of PVC pipe to the inner wall before filling with medium. I have also drilled a single 1/4" hole just above my maximum water line, so I can occasionally put the pots in the sink and just run water through them for flushing.

Not only is the watering globe a good visual indicator of the need to water, it extends the time frame between waterings significantly!

http://firstrays.com/Pictures/semihydro/Mod_SH.png

What houseplants do you grow this way? It looks like a great idea! :)

Well, that's an aglaonema (aka "Chinese evergreen"), but I also have dracaenas, sphathyphyllums and ficus. Anything can be grown that way, really.

Here's a diagram of how the setup works. The key is to have the bottom of the water globe stem be just below the level of the flushing hole. Often, the taper in the stem does that by itself, but I've also used rubber washers on the stem, or even a binder clip, to set the level.

http://firstrays.com/Pictures/semihydro/Modified_SH.jpg

Ray, what happens when the orchids root touch the water? Are they able to cope with that? I ser advantages to it, but does this work for humid environments?


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Ray, that is really neat!

I am extremely interested, but I can't see the diagram.

Is anyone else able to see it? What am I doing wrong?

I see it fine. It might be some combination of your viewing device plus the software. Try again later?

If the plant is potted with its roots in the water reservoir, they will suffocate, die, and rot.

If, on the other hand, it was potted above the reservoir, then grew down into it, those submerged roots will be optimized for that and do great. Just about any plant I've ever grown in S/H culture do put their roots down there.

Higher humidity actually makes the method better, as it slows the evaporation of water from the pot, reducing mineral buildup, and making it easier to flush the system clean.

Thank you for the answer, Ray. So, new roots adapt. Got it. and is it suit for any orchid? Or there are genera which we should avoid using that method? Do you have a link for me to read about it? Otherwise, I'll probably make a lot more questions.


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This is awesome, Ray. I am soaking media and just starting the process of converting several houseplants. This definitely sounds like a fun setup to try. Reducing the need to water as often would be great.

Go to firstrays.com - there's a whole section of info on s/h culture.

I am convinced that any plant CAN be grown that way, IF it works well with the rest of your growing conditions to meet the needs of the plant.

Hi Ray,

thank you! I've already read all the information on firstrays.com - twice or more :)

Thank you so much for developing the method, the info, and sharing with us.

I decided to try it when I saw this site

Growing Angraecum Orchids Using Semi-Hydroponic Techniques

I now have, in standard S/H plastic containers, an Angraecum sesquipedale, Paph rothschildianum, Paph Onyx, Paph Pinocchio and a NOID Phalaenopsis that are going gangbusters. Some Cymbidium and Oncidium seedlings are doing well. A couple of Cattleya seedlings looked bad for 3 months but have begun new growth recently.

I just put some Bulbophyllum and an Oncidium into S/H, but with clay pots I stand in dishes of water for the evaporative cooling effect. They look good so far.

It is very important to read Ray's instructions, and move plants only when they are actively making new roots and growth.

Out of curiosity, why would you want to cool plants - bulbos and oncids - that are generally warmer-growing?

Cooler-growing bulbos and Odontoglossum lacerum. The warm stuff is in your 1 quart S/H pots.

Try this link for a list of orchids that do well in S/H: http://www.orchidboard.com/community...1478-list.html

Thanks, Ray


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That list is a waste of time, and not worth reading.

ANY orchid - any plant, actually - can be grown in semi-hydroponics, but that does not mean that YOU can grow any plant that way!

I - with more S/H experience than anyone - have never been successful with dendrobiums, yet many tell me they're the ideal beginner's plant for the technique.

There is a lady near me who is into orchids, so has changed her entire collection over, but she is REALLY into cacti, succulents, and caudiciforms, and win is all kinds of awards for those in S/H.

We have an OS member that grows her orchids hydroponically. I had trouble growing tomatoes hydroponically. :|

I've also been growing an aglaonema in s/h with good results. I'm also growing three different pothos plants in PrimeAgra using the s/h method and they really love it. I experimented with some sansiverias and they hated it - but they are plants that like to dry up between watering so, so no surprise really. I do have a sansiveria in PrimeAgra, but not using a water reservoir and allowing it to mostly dry between waterings - it's doing pretty good. I just started to try a Schefflera in s/h last week, we'll see how that goes. I like the idea of the water globe, that would be great for when we go on vacations.

For some reason Ray doesn't carry these "Leni or Luwassa" pots even though he uses them himself. Unless you're mechanically inclined and want to build one yourself, they are available online. (Don't let the "hydroponic" term trouble you, it's technically semi-hydro).

I like keeping the water gauge IN, as at different times of the year the plant consumes more / less water depending upon its needs and that can be seen at a glance on the gauge. You could also insert a water globe into the LECA to the desired depth and keep the water gauge in.

Flushing is fast and easy as the interior net culture basket lifts out. The outer reservoir pot is attractive if that's a concern- no need for saucer underneath.

Links below to retailers who carry these pots:

Hydroponic Grow Systems - the ideal way for growing all your Orchids

- Complete Hydroponic Pots #