www.orchidforums.net - Hydroton &amp; semi-hydro

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Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/11 05:49 Had a chance to get the pics I wanted for one use for hydroton. This is a piece of Phrag Calurum growing in Hydroton in a 80mm disposable drinking cup. The holes in the side are 25mm up from the base, 3 of evenly spaced around. I water this every time I water to flush it and always make sure it doesn't dry out.

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bree

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Re:Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/11 07:39 so i could use this as long as i water alot?

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Roy

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Re:Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/11 07:52 You can for sure. The water must be up to the holes all the time. It gets watered with everything else anyway. I can't easily separate it away from the other plants.

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bree

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Re:Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/11 08:26 Oh ok i get it..waters in the bottom all the time. Wow aren't you scared of rot with it always in water? If i used this.. I could add coconut chips and vermiculite to hold water longer. What do you rekon?

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DesertOrchid
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Re:Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/11 11:01 bree,
with semi-hydroponics, the plants have to first have new root growth. that way the roots adapt to the new media (moist hydrotron/prime-agra). this method aka SH is for those who have problems with overwatering. so, to answer your question, the old roots die because of all of the moisture, but the new roots adapt. phrags love this culture. i have one of my phrags in S/H and she is very perky. if the roots of the plant grow into the water, then it's okay. that is known as water-culture. there is a lot of information online for both s/h and water culture for orchids. the key is timing- new root growth.

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Roy

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Re:Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/11 12:54 bree wrote:
Oh ok i get it..waters in the bottom all the time. Wow aren't you scared of rot with it always in water? If i used this.. I could add coconut chips and vermiculite to hold water longer. What do you rekon?
Desertorchid is spot on. To add, if you mix any of the items you mentioned to the hydro', you will definitely rot the roots off.
The plant pic I posted has no rotten roots at all. If need be, I can remove the plant from the pot, use either new hydro' or wash and sterilize the existing hydr' then repot the plant. Rot will start if the hydro' & pot become green with slime build up. Thats why a good flushing helps. Mine probably needs repotting as I can see a little build up occuring.

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bree

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Re:Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/11 12:55 i'll have a look. thanks alot for that! desertorchid

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Hakulady

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Re:Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/11 14:31 Roy, that phrag certainly does look very healthy growing in the Hydroton using the SH method. Have you been successful with other types of orchids using this method?

If you start this method with old roots, how much of an impact is there on the orchid plant itself when the older roots die?

Thanks for sharing your photos and the information on Hydroton/SH method!

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bree

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Re:Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/11 22:34 roy i was thinking about mixing them other things with the hydroton and then growing the plant normally, not in water.

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DesertOrchid
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Re:Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/12 06:14 bree, that would work too and is beneficial because it doesn't decompose. I have pieces of lava rock in with my vandas.

hakulady- i believe it is not the orchid that matters, but the timing. the only orchid i have read that does not respond to this culture is tolumnias. they simply do not like it. i have seen pics of fruits, vegetables, and house plants grown using this method. DON'T start this method with simply old roots- the plant does not adapt as well and as quickly as it needs.

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Roy

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Re:Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/12 14:54 #1, mixing in Hydroton with other material is ok but can work like charcoal and absorb salts from decomposing mix and fertilizer and become toxic. If used with other inert material and regular flushing is done it should be ok.

#2, I started the Phrag off in this pot with one old but firm root. If it had no roots I would have used Spag moss. If there is atleast 1 or 2 good roots and there is a new growth coming, new roots will appear and the plant should be ok, thats want I had.

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Roy

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Re:Hydroton & semi-hydro - 2008/10/12 14:56 This is the only plant I have growing this way. I have a Phally growing in a semi- semi-hydro situation. I show that in a while, no pics as yet.

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Hakulady