[adriponic]

Hello Sailor

Any culture without SOIL is termed Hydroponics, be
it sand, culture, cocopeat, clay or even without substrate.
Looking at it this way, orchid in a medium of say bark + perlite + spagnum + whatever but without SOIL is Hydroponics. Provided nutrients are applied in aqueous
solutions of any formula and concentration.

To answer your question, I say yes, massive culture of
anthuriums, orchids, curcumas, globas etc from in vitro
plantlets through hardening until blooming size is carried
out here in Mauritius. It all started in mid 2002 when I
was appointed consultant to the biggest grower and
exporter here.

We are using ebb & flow tables for the Research work
prior to commercial implementation. Commercial growing
is carried out in inclined channels (3%) 15 meters long
by 0.6 metres wide. Nutrient is recirculated for 15 mins -3 to 7 times each day depending on the season and size of plants.

We have not experienced more mortality compared to the older method of growing, but the time from out of flask to blooming size has been halved.

JP