update on cattleya in hydroton. - Orchid Board

kindrag23 · #1 08-21-2013, 09:24 PM

Hello, a few days ago I asked about hydroton/Lecca aggregate(?) And how to use it with my orchids. I got it on Monday and used it for my Cattleya orchid mainly. I would like to say that it is doing wonderfully! The roots are already starting to perk back up! I am so ecstatic! I think I will be using S/H more often!

Thanks for the help

RosieC · #2 08-22-2013, 07:57 AM

Ray · #3 08-22-2013, 08:34 AM

Using LECA (lightweight expnaded clay aggregate) as a medium does not necessarily mean you're employing semi-hydroponic culture.

If used in a standard pot and allowed to freely drain, it's just standard culture with an inert medium. If, on the other hand, you have a permanent reservoir of water that can wick up in the medium, then that IS S/H culture.

If you are "doing" S/H, be forewarned that those existing roots, which are plumping up, will die and decompose, as they are not optimized, on a cellular level, for that environment. Hopefully the plnt is growing new roots that will compensate for that.

kindrag23 · #4 08-22-2013, 04:01 PM

I guess I am not using S/H then, but it does seem to be much happier and the the small shoot coming off of it seems to be happier as well. There are several healthy roots left on it. I am hoping that it will continue to do well. The other Cattleya that I had that came with this one had black rot and died. So I am hoping to keep this one going. It seems to be a real trooper. Thanks for the information.

tucker85 · #5 08-22-2013, 05:42 PM

I've grown a lot of cattleyas in hydroton and it's worked well for me. What kind of fertilizer do you use? I had problems with black rot every year until I started providing calcium. If your fertilizer doesn't contain calcium, I would recommend either switch to one that does or use a calcium/magnesium supplement.

kindrag23 · #6 08-22-2013, 06:36 PM

Better gro orchid food.

---------- Post added at 04:36 PM ---------- Previous post was at 03:43 PM ----------

Unfortunately mine does not have calcium after reading the bag what type of calcium supp. Would u suggest

NYCorchidman · #7 08-22-2013, 07:55 PM

Tucker- were you able to save cattleyas that had black rots or did you lose them? just curious.

What water do you use?
Doesn't tap water in most places have calcium in it??

kindrag23 · #8 08-22-2013, 07:57 PM

I was unable to. It spread through my plant like wild f
Fire.

MT-Phal · #9 08-23-2013, 05:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tucker85

I had problems with black rot every year until I started providing calcium. If your fertilizer doesn't contain calcium, I would recommend either switch to one that does or use a calcium/magnesium supplement.

A lack of calcium can cause black rot in roots? What causes this?

tucker85 · #10 08-23-2013, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NYCorchidman

Tucker- were you able to save cattleyas that had black rots or did you lose them? just curious.

What water do you use?
Doesn't tap water in most places have calcium in it??

No, it's not about saving orchids that already have black rot. Calcium helps the plant produce strong cell walls that are resistant to rot and insects. The orchid needs to have a supply of calcium during the growing season. You're absolutely correct that most water supplies have plenty of calcium. That's why fertilizers often don't include those two elements. But if an orchid grower is experiencing more than just an occasional problem with black rot, it may be an indication that the orchid isn't getting enough calcium. It could be that the grower is using RO water, distilled water or rain water. If a grower isn't having a black rot problem then the plant is probably getting plenty of calcium. To increase calcium a grower can use a cal/mag fertilizer or a cal/mag supplement. Many fertilizers designed for orchids include calcium and say so on the label.