My Biggest Mistake of 2019: Semi-Hydroponics

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  • Опубликовано: 20 дек 2024

Комментарии • 87

  • @masschannel2783
    @masschannel2783 5 лет назад +2

    I just wanted to thank Michael for his advices. I have two orchids that were gifts, and after few months, specially after the cold season, they started to die slowly. I followed advices found in different webs about recovering weak orchids, transplanting them, etc, but nothing really worked, even when I did the process carefully, placed them in the lounge with almost perfect conditions. But I found Michael´s channel, his well explained methods based on his own observations and nature´s wisdom, and went ahead with the semi- hydroponic system. I bought two nice glass pots, drilled the holes, and replanted the orchids in those new conditions. After less than two months, the two orchids came back to life, new thick roots, new strong leaves, a miracle. And they look great in their glass pots with clay pebbles. Thank you Michael. Regards from Spain. Miguel.

  • @belindadunstan1494
    @belindadunstan1494 5 лет назад +1

    Michael!! I just had to come on here and tell you that thanks to your channel I revived a 4 year old dormant phaleanopsis orchid that I once got for my birthday and after putting out 4 new leaves IT IS FLOWERING AGAIN FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON MY BIRTHDAY! Thank you so much for your cool kind orchid wisdom!! I am so excited!!!!

  • @kerron68
    @kerron68 5 лет назад +18

    You legitimately make some of most scientific, entertaining, and in-depth videos on orchid growing. You're doing an awesome job, keep it up!

    • @stevencarpenter8800
      @stevencarpenter8800 5 лет назад

      Using K-Lite Orchid / Epiphyte Fertilizer (12-1-1-10Ca-3Mg) in RO water with great results for semi-hydroponic growing. Studies have suggested that excessive potassium, whether applied, obtained from, or accumulated in growing media, can have a negative impact on the health of plants, especially in the absence of adequate calcium and magnesium. Excessive potassium can exacerbate deficiencies in those essential nutrients by preventing them from being adequately absorbed.
      Feeding at 25 - 50 ppm N at every watering, using pure water, two or three times per week or more, flooding the plants each time, mimicking what they receive in nature = 1/6 - 1/3 tsp/gal
      ...or
      For once-a-week feeding, use 75 ppm N = 1/2 tsp/gal or as much as 150 ppm N = 1 tsp/gal for feeding every two or three weeks.
      The K-Lite formula mimics the nutrient mix provided by the combination of host plant exudates and accumulated airborne particulates that are flushed down from the forest canopy whenever it rains. The low dosing provides plenty of nutrition for these slow-growing plants, while avoiding root damage or the buildup of mineral residues and wastes.

  • @orchidsbythelake
    @orchidsbythelake 5 лет назад +1

    Thank you for mentioning about me. I didn’t know the info would impact so much... I am glad you made this video cause I didn’t even think about making an informative video like this! Happy growing!

  • @michaelhuber5912
    @michaelhuber5912 5 лет назад +2

    Hey Michael- glad you figured this out. Back on your Problem Child video, I made this comment and was hoping it would help you. Glad to see that you were able to take this to heart and incorporate into your process. My hunch is that you will see an amazing turnaround in the next few weeks. One thing you can try for an even quicker flush is to leave the drain hole open and put the plant into a larger vessel with more water up to the vase brim. Natural diffusion in larger quantities of water will pull out more from the LECA even quicker. I'm not an orchid guy and my experience is with bonsai, but growing plants in small containers have similar challenges. You should check out Ryan Neil - he is a bonsai master and has some really videos on plant growth and how to manage growth, nutrient uptake, etc. Not necessarily directly equivalent but a lot of good info on the how and why plants grow

  • @renesonse5794
    @renesonse5794 5 лет назад +7

    So what is the proper preparation procedure for new LECA? Soaking in 0 TDS water for two weeks. Is there an alternative for those of us that don't have an RO system? Distilled water is $1 per gallon.

    • @orchidsbythelake
      @orchidsbythelake 5 лет назад +6

      Rene Sonse you need to flush SO MANY times to reach down to 50 and below... I buy LECA from ikea, starting from around 230. Soak in regular water (my tap water is around 23...) let it soak for 1 day, flush again and let it sit for 1 day and use tds meter... repeat till it gets low enough...

  • @michaelmccarthy4077
    @michaelmccarthy4077 5 лет назад +11

    I've heard of people soaking the leca in a vinegar solution, the acidic nature of which assists in dissolving minerals.

    • @orchidgarden3124
      @orchidgarden3124 5 лет назад +1

      Michael McCarthy this makes a lot of sense. Probably the quickest and most efficient way to dissolve and wash away minerals.

    • @o_o8203
      @o_o8203 5 лет назад +4

      Also, solubility increases with temperature. I recommend boiling in 1 part vinegar & 1 part distilled H20

    • @bernadettekennedy2981
      @bernadettekennedy2981 5 лет назад

      Thanks

    • @michaelmccarthy4077
      @michaelmccarthy4077 4 года назад

      Orching well, you’re wrong and easily verifiable. If you soak plain leca in water, the TDS will rise in the water as salts and minerals are removed from the leca through osmotic regulation.

    • @michaelmccarthy4077
      @michaelmccarthy4077 4 года назад

      @Orching um, no. Rinse your clean unused leca fully, then soak it in water overnight and measure the TDS before the leca is added, and after. The TDS will rise because you are DISSOLVING (TDS=total dissolved solids) salts and minerals from the leca. What do you think clay is? Various salts and minerals are present in clay. Derp. Maybe you need a level 1 inorganic chemistry class?

  • @MelissaWalker82
    @MelissaWalker82 5 лет назад

    I employ the tape and soak method every so often on my s/h crew as well. Helps my dry line and the salt accumulation. Ray from first ray’s seems to become irritated when people talk about actually flushing their setups with pure water, but I think it feels intuitive to do this once a month or so or when the top of the pot looks especially dry. Thanks for sharing!

  • @juliapaust4840
    @juliapaust4840 5 лет назад +5

    Hi Michael, I'm watching your video for the first time, very interesting information! It might be a bigger problem with the closed-system. Have you ever tried a semi-closed system, like double orchid pots (pot in the pot (or a saucer)? Thus you can give the orchid a shower or just water it through to rinse minerals down. I do it once a month and the let the orchid dry out a bit. I normally have some water in the outer pot so it reaches about 1cm of the leca of the inner pot. When all the water goes down and no more touches the inner pot, I water the orchid or give it a good rinse. The semi-closed system gives you more options.
    Thanks for the video!

  • @tiffanywhaley3722
    @tiffanywhaley3722 5 лет назад +2

    I use rain water and just collect in a large cooler and tin pail outside to water my plants. The ph is perfect.

  • @ritamurphy1841
    @ritamurphy1841 5 лет назад +2

    While you are soaking the beads for the 2 weeks are you periodically draining/rinsing and continuing the soak or just soaking continually for 2 weeks? Thanks..very newby here :)

    • @radblook9363
      @radblook9363 5 лет назад

      Hi! From what I can tell he is changing the water because he mentioned using it to water his other plants.

  • @allisonkern1405
    @allisonkern1405 5 лет назад +4

    Hi Michael. I’ve been watering all my indoor plants with distilled water because the mineral content can cause the leaves to appear crispy on the edges as they try to expel these unused elements. I’m sure you have already heard this before but I’m wondering if after you soak your medium it might help to do your flush/watering with distilled? Best of luck!

    • @juliapaust4840
      @juliapaust4840 5 лет назад

      Hi Allison, do you use distilled water on the orchids, too?

  • @EdsOrchids
    @EdsOrchids 5 лет назад +17

    Good video Michael and you talk a lot of sense. The only think that is worrying is that with continually feeding the plants after doing all that work with the leca it will absorb solids and nutrients and virtually return to it''s pre-soaking state. .Although Although Phrags love to be wet I would never use leca for their medium. Phrags love their water to be very low in salts......this is the way they grow in the wild with their roots in running water fro rivers, streams and waterfalls.....and the like their roots to be cool. Have a good week and take care...
    Ed.

    • @sunshine467sun
      @sunshine467sun 5 лет назад

      I totally agree. The minerals will re-build back if hard water or even soft water with fertilizer is used. Also there will always be water left in his glass vase at the bottom and as it evaporates, minerals start to re-build back on the surface.

  • @Angel-vo5wb
    @Angel-vo5wb 5 лет назад +2

    wow love your vdo..mostly love ur energy into the topic..i ve been watching u for year but just a week ago decided to start semihydro. Thank u

  • @stuartkaufman6131
    @stuartkaufman6131 5 лет назад +1

    I have read many times that the potting medium should not touch the stem... but with leca the top layer is only wet for a very short while, so... what is the rule regarding leca... is it ok to let the top layer (1/4 to 1/2 inch) be in contact with the bottom of the stem??

  • @starlight7308
    @starlight7308 4 года назад

    Very informative. I will start soaking my orchids tomorrow

  • @donnasparrow4
    @donnasparrow4 5 лет назад +2

    Great info can't wait to see the results, As I don't feel like repotting all my orchid's either

  • @florida23
    @florida23 5 лет назад

    Michael YOU INSPIRE US!! You've inspired me to repot reconsider my 7 year old orchid to new fresh environment XO LOVING YOUR VIDS PALM BEACH FLORIDA

  • @shelleydeardorf5192
    @shelleydeardorf5192 5 лет назад +3

    Awesome video Michael as usual. Thank you so much for sharing.

  • @anadanaya
    @anadanaya 5 лет назад +4

    hi Michael, Danny from MOG also experience a huge change on PH. Maybe that is something worth to evaluate now that you are at it.
    The increase of PH in some LECA brands will also prevent some of your plants to absorb nutrients, in this case would not be bad but it is also not good. Let us know what the ph is ;)

  • @Shuzies
    @Shuzies 5 лет назад +1

    Hi Michael, When you cover the holes with tape for a soak how long do you soak? Thank You...Great videos

  • @ritabarrago812
    @ritabarrago812 4 года назад

    Potrei sapere quanto deve essere l'acidità dell'acqua? Grazie

  • @elainereilly4686
    @elainereilly4686 5 лет назад +2

    Wow...I measured tds of water after soaking one of my glass leca plants for 2hours. Reading went from 32 ppm to 537ppm. I live in central Florida and we are getting a ton of rain so I put the new leca in collanders and am letting the rain run thru it. Can't hurt.

    • @kennethvivaan9534
      @kennethvivaan9534 3 года назад

      i know Im kinda randomly asking but does anybody know a good website to watch new tv shows online?

    • @maximuszyaire2849
      @maximuszyaire2849 3 года назад

      @Kenneth Vivaan Try Flixzone. Just google for it =)

    • @rhysethan2264
      @rhysethan2264 3 года назад

      @Maximus Zyaire definitely, been using Flixzone for since april myself :D

    • @kennethvivaan9534
      @kennethvivaan9534 3 года назад

      @Maximus Zyaire Thanks, I signed up and it seems like they got a lot of movies there :D I appreciate it !

    • @maximuszyaire2849
      @maximuszyaire2849 3 года назад

      @Kenneth Vivaan You are welcome xD

  • @melissahall7277
    @melissahall7277 5 лет назад

    How long do you let the Orchid soak in its container with the holes covered? Do you still let it sit 1week? Won't that over water the Orchid?

  • @bbghillini1793
    @bbghillini1793 5 лет назад

    Hi Michael, thanks for the information as I am new to orchids in hydroponics. Have you ever used the hydro-gel beads from the Dollar Tree? It is usually used for vases in displays. I am curious to the TDS reading of these gel beads. Also, how would you prepare your Phals for a two week vacation (home alone) that are in bark/moss? Half of my 15 Phals are in water....and, they are growing new roots like crazy..

  • @lornablackmore2470
    @lornablackmore2470 5 лет назад +5

    That's so interesting thanks for sharing! Though, what was the pH of the leca out of curiosity? I hear they can get really high pH. Maybe that might be a factor of the high ppm? When the ppm gets lower does the pH lower too?

  • @carolappelbaum5143
    @carolappelbaum5143 4 года назад

    Repotted my orchids in the lecca beads. I had revived them before I repotted but now the leaves are beginning to get floppy again. I have misted the roots at least every other day. How much water do they need and how often?

  • @emmathomson2584
    @emmathomson2584 5 лет назад +1

    Hey Michael, I just wanted to leave a comment regarding the TDS meter you are using. The quality of that specific meter is not great and needs calibration very frequently to ensure the results you are getting are correct. Not sure if youre using a standard solution with a designated TDS count to standardize your TDS meter. I purchased a new TDS meter because everytime I tried to calibrate the blue meter is was always SO FAR OFF (like 100ppm off ).
    Great video though I'm absolutely going to be soaking my leca again tonight in some reverse osmosis water. I can't believe i also didnt think of this omg

  • @trishal2223
    @trishal2223 5 лет назад

    Thanks Michael that’s so helpful!! I’ll be rechecking my orchids!

  • @sheleanesteele5025
    @sheleanesteele5025 4 года назад

    I live in colorado, you mentioned the water here, so you suggest I do this living in colorado or am I safe to not go thru this process?

  • @gsbenson01
    @gsbenson01 5 лет назад

    Would clear glass beads/marbles work in lieu of clay beads? Wouldn’t those eliminate the tds issue and allow more light to the roots for better root photosynthesis, let alone be visually interesting?

  • @arsolano90
    @arsolano90 5 лет назад

    Very informative and I’m excited to know what the outcome will be!

  • @secnew2852
    @secnew2852 5 лет назад

    Hi Michael. I'm new to your channel and I love it. I'm also new to growing orchids. I want to try growing them in water. Do you think you can make a video on how to do this? Or maybe you already have a video that you can recommend. Thank you and keep up the good work.

  • @jamieb7342
    @jamieb7342 5 лет назад

    Thank you for the pertinent information. What is reverse osmosis water?

    • @latesilvan4004
      @latesilvan4004 5 лет назад +1

      Reverse osmosis is a water filtration system that pressures water through a membrane with really fine pores. Water out of a reverse osmosis filter measures 0 to 30ppm, almost never 0. RO water not only removes all minerals in the water, but also bacterium. You can go crazy and buy a really expensive system, but you can also buy the same system in EBay for around $140. If you are half way handy, you can install the system yourself. A 50 gallons a day will do for most people. The best reject ration for RO, is 1:1. That means a gallon of water will be wasted for every gallon of potable water.

  • @MalaspinaLily
    @MalaspinaLily 5 лет назад

    Hi dear Michael: I had all my Orchids in SH 2 months ago and they are wonderful now. Full of new big and long roots and a lot of new leaves. I noticed a lot of white salts on my clay (not leca but ikea clay) and last week I started watering them with bottled mineral water (the same one I drink). Is it good? Can I do it (even if it is somehow expensive...). Please help if you can. I am worried sick now for all my babies. Thank you a lot for your videos ^^.

  • @TheisPHansen
    @TheisPHansen 5 лет назад

    Hi Michael, How about the epsom salt soak as described on firstrays.com? Does that achieve the same?

  • @MatheusOliveira7
    @MatheusOliveira7 3 года назад

    You can use natural fertilizers, liquid humus, liquid compost... This mineral uptake is because the “chemical” origin of the mineral fertilizer. And let the tap water sit for 24 hour to the chlorine evaporate.

  • @aprilmisseri2666
    @aprilmisseri2666 5 лет назад

    Michael, I have watched your videos and am not finding how you manage the algae. Your glass containers look BEAUTIFUL, how do you manage so that they don't look green?

    • @latesilvan4004
      @latesilvan4004 5 лет назад

      I found out the solution for managing the algae in my orchids. Got rid of semi hydroponics. Anything you use to kill the algae will kill the orchid.

  • @legacyjankmtg3917
    @legacyjankmtg3917 5 лет назад +1

    Which TDS meter do you recommend?

    • @latesilvan4004
      @latesilvan4004 5 лет назад

      Blue lab is the one i use. I have some of its features, but read pH and EC. And most fertilizers tables are in EC.

  • @apc7716
    @apc7716 5 лет назад

    I luv your voice and your accent I'm french and the way you are talking its really easy to understand for not English native language 😊 thanks you

  • @gabrielj.4758
    @gabrielj.4758 4 года назад

    Very usefull information thank you

  • @JCMercyGrace
    @JCMercyGrace 5 лет назад

    This may sound like a totally stupid question, but it seems logical to me. If you soak your leca in water, why wouldn't the tds stay with in the water in which you're soaking it/them? (Is leca singular or plural?) This might be explained in the tagged videos, but I wanted to ask before I forget my question, which has been happening a lot lately!

  • @chuntie5518
    @chuntie5518 5 лет назад

    Thank you so much for this info, I'm a newbie on orchids. This info helps a lot.Hugs from Cali . Share the Love for orchids.💜💛💚💙💕💕💕👍

  • @suzannemiller993
    @suzannemiller993 5 лет назад

    My city water is very hard...so are you saying to water my orchid with distilled water? Thank you.

    • @orchidsbythelake
      @orchidsbythelake 5 лет назад +1

      Suzanne Miller you wanna check your water... I heard some places’ water even go higher than 250... that’s twice as much of my fertilized water I would use...

  • @CmdrBittles
    @CmdrBittles 5 лет назад

    Huh... now I wonder what my water is like. We have a cistern that collects rain water (southern ontario) and then has a physical filter and UV filter. I've noticed my jades definitely don't sweat as much salts etc since moving here.

    • @latesilvan4004
      @latesilvan4004 5 лет назад

      If you are collecting rain water your ppm should be really low.

  • @jolap9344
    @jolap9344 5 лет назад +1

    I'm thinking about converting my orchids to semi-hydroponics and I enjoy watching your videos. Since you mention problems with proper cleaning of leca I looked at the internet for semi-hydroponics and first website that popped out was from First Rays LCC. There are several articles about growing orchids in semi-hydroponics on that website, and the author says he invented this technique. In the article "Preparing Media for Use" (firstrays.com/semi-hydroponic-culture/sh-detailed-information/preparing-media-for-use/) he suggests using calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salts) as "cleaning" agents. It makes sense since Ca and Mg substitute less desirable cations (e.g. Na) in the salts present in the media.

  • @Jayl__
    @Jayl__ 4 года назад

    Any update? Whether it works

  • @anitapinto5164
    @anitapinto5164 4 года назад

    What's reverse osmosis water?

  • @barbfroede1343
    @barbfroede1343 5 лет назад

    Michael! What would be do without you? Thank you for the tips!

  • @haccprof
    @haccprof 5 лет назад

    Does anyone have thoughts on using Dyna Gro's Dyna-Zyme to break down fert residue

    • @orchidgarden3124
      @orchidgarden3124 5 лет назад +1

      haccprof I believe vinegar in water would work just as well and be much cheaper.

    • @haccprof
      @haccprof 5 лет назад

      @@orchidgarden3124 How much vinegar do you recommend per gallon

    • @orchidgarden3124
      @orchidgarden3124 5 лет назад

      haccprof I would use a 50/50 white vinegar to water (for treating leca before you pot the orchid) and let soak overnight. Then rinse well and use it.

  • @normantorok5919
    @normantorok5919 4 года назад

    great help, thx

  • @concepcionvaldiviasanchez417
    @concepcionvaldiviasanchez417 5 лет назад

    Podrías subtitular tus vídeos en español? Por favor vivo en España y no se inglés, y todas mis orquídeas están en semihidroponia

  • @concepcionvaldiviasanchez417
    @concepcionvaldiviasanchez417 5 лет назад

    Puedes poner subtitulado en español, por favor?

  • @dgatez73
    @dgatez73 5 лет назад

    Thanks for sharing Michael !!! 🌈🌈🌈

  • @latesilvan4004
    @latesilvan4004 5 лет назад +1

    330 ppm is withing the range of drinking water. Blame your water not your hydroton. With semi hydroponics you can leach your hydroton every couple of waters by flushing the living heck out of them. I had nearly 1000 cattleyas in semi hydroton and I never had a problem.
    www.flickr.com/photos/55854358@N03/
    My problem with semi hydro was black mold

    • @grossgorl
      @grossgorl 4 года назад

      wait can u talk about the black mold? isnt that dangerous

  • @PeterBoschJansen
    @PeterBoschJansen 5 лет назад

    Nice plants. You might check out Rick L Orchids. He has so much info on minerals and the relation between growth and blooming

  • @MsButtaSoulFly
    @MsButtaSoulFly 4 года назад

    Great video just definitely not for a beginner with all the jargon scientific plant name and my goodness how fast you're talking sheesh. I'm still on welcome to my channel LOL. I'll hang on to this video and come back when I can keep up.

  • @AlisonFarquhar
    @AlisonFarquhar 5 лет назад +1

    That moment where everything you know just unravels 😂 don't be too hard on yourself man the orchids will forgive you

  • @monikalange4486
    @monikalange4486 5 лет назад

    💚❤💚❤