you can probably extend the life of your containers by applying a spray paint designed for plastic (both Krylon and Rustoleum make them) to the top 1/2 to 1/3 of the pot (outside and top lip), or the whole of the outside if you aren't concerned about seeing the reservoir. If you want your aerial roots to adapt more readily, consider wetting the roots and then standing the plant in a container with a small amount of water on the bottom. Leave them like that for about a week, where the roots are in air (mostly) but still totally hydrated as they wick the water from the container.
Great explanation of pros and cons! You might be interested in checking out a recent video by The Orchid Room about some interesting modifications she made to semi-hydro. I’ve watched just about every video ever made about semi-hydro, and found hers to be quite unique. I can’t believe what a massive collection you have. I don’t know how you do it?! 😁
Orchid Garden In General, I don’t mix media in a pot unless I intend to throw away my media when I repot. I did mixing of perlite, lava rock and various other non-decomposing media many years ago. It is a mess at repotting and having to sort the LECA out from other stuff is a pain. As I like to re-use my LECA, I don’t feel like it is any way to run a long term collection over many years. I’m trying to minimize my maintenance which is the only way to have lots of plants. Yes, I might have some plant hoarding issues.
This was an awesome video for me! :-) I have been trying to grow in semi-hydroponics for about 6 months, mostly just 6 Phals but Houserman's is only about 40 minutes from me (I live near Elgin) so I went to their show last month and now have a Den, a Paph, and a Catteleya now. In spring when hopefully roots and leaves start to grow, should I try transplanting to clay pots with two holes drilled in them... or stick with deli containers? I grow on windowsills so I don't know if the combination of leca and clay pots would result in roots being too cold?
Stuart Kaufman If you grow in Clay, I would recommend using a saucer rather than drilling into the pots on the side. I don’t have issues with cold with clay pots but I do have issues to excess evaporation of water so you may need to water more if you do LECA in a clay pot. You may want to mix your LECA with coconut coir if you go that route.
you can probably extend the life of your containers by applying a spray paint designed for plastic (both Krylon and Rustoleum make them) to the top 1/2 to 1/3 of the pot (outside and top lip), or the whole of the outside if you aren't concerned about seeing the reservoir.
If you want your aerial roots to adapt more readily, consider wetting the roots and then standing the plant in a container with a small amount of water on the bottom. Leave them like that for about a week, where the roots are in air (mostly) but still totally hydrated as they wick the water from the container.
Michael McCarthy oooh, I must try the root thing. I could probably achieve that with a cup though it will require me to plan ahead when repotting.
Great explanation of pros and cons! You might be interested in checking out a recent video by The Orchid Room about some interesting modifications she made to semi-hydro. I’ve watched just about every video ever made about semi-hydro, and found hers to be quite unique. I can’t believe what a massive collection you have. I don’t know how you do it?! 😁
Orchid Garden In General, I don’t mix media in a pot unless I intend to throw away my media when I repot. I did mixing of perlite, lava rock and various other non-decomposing media many years ago. It is a mess at repotting and having to sort the LECA out from other stuff is a pain. As I like to re-use my LECA, I don’t feel like it is any way to run a long term collection over many years. I’m trying to minimize my maintenance which is the only way to have lots of plants. Yes, I might have some plant hoarding issues.
This was an awesome video for me! :-)
I have been trying to grow in semi-hydroponics for about 6 months, mostly just 6 Phals but Houserman's is only about 40 minutes from me (I live near Elgin) so I went to their show last month and now have a Den, a Paph, and a Catteleya now. In spring when hopefully roots and leaves start to grow, should I try transplanting to clay pots with two holes drilled in them... or stick with deli containers? I grow on windowsills so I don't know if the combination of leca and clay pots would result in roots being too cold?
Stuart Kaufman If you grow in Clay, I would recommend using a saucer rather than drilling into the pots on the side. I don’t have issues with cold with clay pots but I do have issues to excess evaporation of water so you may need to water more if you do LECA in a clay pot. You may want to mix your LECA with coconut coir if you go that route.
Could you just put the broken plastic pot into a larger plastic pot to hold off on repotting in the winter.
Sue G I have done so. I may show this is one of my many videos when showing blooming orchids but the water doesn’t drain correctly when I do this.