S/H conversion ready? Other ?'s

[TylerK]

That sounds great. I've got a huge Yucca that's a pain to repot that I'd like to try it with. Hydroton/LECA in general also just looks cleaner than a pot full of dirt/bark/moss or whatever you pot your plants in.

Are there any plants that shouldn't be potted like this. I assume cacti are out, but what about succulent types (ie: Jade, Hoya...), or caudiciforms (Pachypodiums, Adeniums, Beaucarnia...).

[DelawareJim]

Actually, from what I've read, you CAN do succulents and cacti in hydroculture.

As I understand the sites, the moisture level in the LECA is a gradient from wettest at the bottom to driest at the top. The roots in hydroculture basically grow into the nutrient/moisture zone in the LECA that best suits that plant. So plants adapted to dry conditions will grow in the upper drier region of the LECA and more moisture loving plants wll grow deeper roots.

Cheers.
Jim

[Ray]

For the houseplants, I do not let the pots get completely dry between waterings intentionally.

My non-fertilizer waterings are usually tap water, not RO.

The really big plants are in converted regular plastic flower pots: I plug the drainage holes in the bottom of the pot with silicone or a hot-melt glue, then drill a couple of holes in the sidewall a few inches up to create the reservoir. When I water, I slowly pour over the entire surface (most is absorbed as it trickles down), and I stop watering when the reservoir overflows into the tray.

About once every year or two, I lug them outside and flood the pot with a garden hose.

All of these variants are correctly called "hydroponics", "hydroponic culture" or "hydroculture". I only made up the "semi-hydro" name to make sure folks differentiated it from those methods needing pumps, special culture trays and monitoring equipment. Even orchid culture in most organic-based mixes is still hydroponics, as the plants get essentially all of its nutrition from the fertilizer solution, and almost none from the medium, which is pretty much there only for water-holding and mechanical stability.

Jim, those pots from Jeree are fine, but take an adjustment in how you use them. He and I were discussing the differences between those and my design on Wednesday. (He's the friend I mentioned earlier with the foliage plant business, by the way.)

Tyler, I have a local customer who is into orchids, African violets, and caudiciforms of all sorts, and she has converted them all to s/h culture. She told me she gets awards for the caudiciforms, and folks are always stunned when they see how they're grown.

[TylerK]

That's great to hear. Caudiciforms are a close second to me (after orchids) when it comes to plants. Just moved, and I'm already wishing I had more space.