Who should be my first victims of S/H?

[solo1979]

Hi all,

I'm quite fascinated with the idea and decided to order Ray's starter kit. My current collection includes phals, cattleyas and 2 dendrobiums. Any suggestions on who my first 2 victims should be? I was thinking maybe the phals?

Solana

[Ross]

Originally Posted by solo1979

Hi all,

I'm quite fascinated with the idea and decided to order Ray's starter kit. My current collection includes phals, cattleyas and 2 dendrobiums. Any suggestions on who my first 2 victims should be? I was thinking maybe the phals?

Solana

I would make that decision based on who is ready for transplanting. Any of these guys can be moved over, but you really need new root growth started before you do it.

[solo1979]

Hmmm, how do you detect new root growth if the chids are potted in medium size bark and you can't really see 'em? Everybody was just repotted recently, either because the mix they came in was gross or because the grade of mix was too fine and the roots were staying wet too long.

Solana

[Becca]

I too would really recommed new root growth as well. I can tell on my plants because I can usually see the new root growth at the base of the new growths...I guess I have been lucky to be able to see these new roots. But I use the s/h method as well and let me tell you, for those plants I did not wait for new growth it has been a long process of getting them to bounce back. I even lost a phal because I didn't wait for new root growth. Please don't make the same mistake I made and wait for new roots no matter what!

[quiltergal]

I agree 110% with Becca & Ross. The key to success with s/h is the timing of the move. I transplanted two without waiting for new root growth and nearly lost them both. You can read some of my cautionary tale below.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...l-success.html

I can't stress enough how important new root growth is. My phal is recovering nicely but the Lc. is still struggling. I did see a new lead on the Lc. last week when I watered so maybe new roots are on the way.

[puddin]

This does not help me. I repotted an orchid, a phal, and I didn't check for root growth. The roots stayed wet to long, so I was waiting like 2 weeks for the center to dry while all around the center was bone dry.

[Grandma M]

If you can wait for new root growth, I would try a phal and a catt. That way you can compare them.

You need to get a phrag. They love S/H. I have over 100 phrags in S/H and haven't lost one. They are not even very fussy about when you transplant them. They just sink their roots in a grow, grow, grow.

[quiltergal]

Sorry puddin. Keep an eye on it. You may experience root rot. Read the info on Ray's website. There is a wealth of information there.

Welcome to First Rays Orchids

[puddin]

I am soooooooooooooooo lucky. I looked at it while I was watering, and I saw that the arial roots had grown and that the plant was putting out a new root. So, I'm relieved.

[quiltergal]

Right on! I'd still watch it. You will lose roots. It's part of the process.