first s/h

[mexorchid]

I have a mexican NoID that has been not dying but not doing well over a year now, so I decided to try s/h.
This is my first attempt so please let me know if you see any mistakes! (Or if you have any idea which orchid it could be? I usually find these growing on the forrest bottom.)

I cleaned the pot very well, drilled 6 holes, filled in the soaked LECA and am flushing it with tab water that has been standing over night about 5 times a week. I heard a lot about mold or algeas growing in the pots so I thought why not give it a sunshield that I can take off to watch the roots (that's the blue thing). It's 4 weeks now; so far the roots I can see look still the same. The plant shows no sign of doing anything.
hope it will go well!

[Nexogen]

patience

[RosieC]

Don't worry that it's not doing much. I agree, be patient.

[mexorchid]

patience it is then...

[Ray]

Tip for the future: Two (only two) 6mm holes (no bigger) right next to each other.

More holes = greater evaporation rate, which can outdo the wicking capability of the medium, especially in the dry winter.

Big holes = ditto.

Close together = a LECA pellet can block one hole, but if it does, it also prevents the other one from being blocked. If they are spaced, both can be blocked. It is only an issue for flushing (too slow draining), but why deal with it.

[mexorchid]

Originally Posted by Ray

Tip for the future: Two (only two) 6mm holes (no bigger) right next to each other.

More holes = greater evaporation rate, which can outdo the wicking capability of the medium, especially in the dry winter.

Big holes = ditto.

Close together = a LECA pellet can block one hole, but if it does, it also prevents the other one from being blocked. If they are spaced, both can be blocked. It is only an issue for flushing (too slow draining), but why deal with it.

That's some good info, thanks! I've been reading a lot on your very interesting website before doing it. I somehow failed to keep in mind why just 2 holes... now I know.
Do you think the cover around the pot helps keeping mold away? Or in your experience does it not make any difference or is even blocking something?

[isurus79]

You could hit the plant with some KLN to initiate root growth. Other than that, patience (as said previously!) is the key.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by mexorchid

That's some good info, thanks! I've been reading a lot on your very interesting website before doing it. I somehow failed to keep in mind why just 2 holes... now I know.
Do you think the cover around the pot helps keeping mold away? Or in your experience does it not make any difference or is even blocking something?

Blocking the light will have no effect on mold.

If you're thinking of algae though - yes, that's an effective way to prevent its growth.