Phrag struggling in S/H..Advice please

[3oranges]

I've already concluded to go back to organic until it is vibrant again.

I use RO water exclusively for the orchids so hard water is a non issue. I have a lot of plants that are thriving in Prime Agra.

I'm guessing with 50+ Phrags that you grow in a high humidity environment. The surface of the Prime Agra stays too dry in my environment for Phrag roots liking. The roots would darken and retract on contact with the dry LECA. Next go at it with a Phrag I will use moss on the surface.

[Jerry Delaney]

I'm guessing with 50+ Phrags that you grow in a high humidity environment.

In summer, the outside humidity usually averages in the mid to upper teens with some days being in the single digits. So, I sometimes struggle to keep the humidity between 40% to 50% which I wouldn't call "high humidity". I do have overhead misters in the greenhouse that come on for 15 seconds every hour from 9 AM until 4 PM so perhaps that helps keep the top layer of Hydroton moist. In any case, I hope your Phrag perks up for you.

[Orchid Gurue]

I repoted all of my phrags (35 plants) in hydratone two months ago. So far I am having good results. Many were in spike when I repoted them and they just keep on "spiking" without any slow down. I have always grown them with the base of the plant in a saucer of water any way. I am new to hydratone but I understand it is important for the media to be uniform in size so the water and air combo will be consistant. I also repoted my Asian Cymbidiums in hydratone. Last summer was unusually hot for a long time and they suffered greatly from the heat. So far the Cymbidiums are sending out new roots and growths and doing good. Still it is a bit early to say. I will keep youall posted.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by 3oranges

I've already concluded to go back to organic until it is vibrant again.

Actually, you'd do better to use the moss trick and keep it in S/H. it's going to need to grow new roots no matter which way you go, and if you want to grow it in semi-hydro culture eventually, why put it through that twice?

I use RO water exclusively for the orchids so hard water is a non issue.

Looking back at your earlier posts, I see you primarily water with straight RO, adding fertilizer every third watering only. I think that could be playing a role as well, although likely not as significant one as the low humidity and dry medium surface.

Having the plant be exposed to mineral-free water for any length of time actually extracts some nutrients from the plant. It's much better for the plants to be exposed to a dilute fertilizer solution at all times.