Why I use semi-hydroponics

[growinhydro]

A new story entry has been added:

Why I use semi-hydroponics

I have been growing orchids for 7 years now?well killing them at first, but really becoming successful within these last 4 to 5 years. My success wasn?t a result of the months of researching their culture, high tech fertilizers, or the eventual investment in a greenhouse. The secret was in a little clay pellet.

Orchids were always a passing interest for me. They flirted with me every time I went to a Lowes or Home Depot, and even at the grocery store; I know you?ve heard this story before?

It wasn't till I bought my first orchid, a striking yellow Oncidium calling herself 'Sweet Sugar'. I took her home not having a clue how to care for her, but having inherited my parent's green thumb, I had a good idea. The flowers lasted for weeks and I was starting to want to try the other types. I brought home a few Phalaenopsis in bloom and put them with 'Sweet Sugar'. Well to my surprise, within a week, the leaves on the Phalaenopsis were shriveling, the flowers were falling off, and it was very obvious I didn't know what I was doing. Intrigued as to why I could not grow them, I bought book after book on orchid culture, thus beginning my obsession. After about a month of reading online and off, I felt confident I could do this. I had learned that Phalaenopsis do not like a full southern exposure and quickly cook, and I was desperate for redemption.

As the months passed I collected orchid after orchid, some looking scragglier than others, and I acquired quite a collection; one that I couldn't re-bloom. Darling wife says she wants her living room back, time for a greenhouse you say?

Ok, with greenhouse built and orchids loaded, I started seeing improvements in foliage, no more pleating of the leaves due to low humidity, and better over all growth. And with some education on nutrition, I was beginning to understand what these orchids needed; eventually being rewarded with flowers.

Where do those clay pellets come into play? I'll tell you. As the months passed I was having varying success. Good with the more common Phalaenopsis, Oncidium, and Dendrobium, but I was drawn to the more exotic; so many wonderful varieties. Why couldn't I grow them? So I bought bunches of them, I had a greenhouse now mind you, I am and orchid grower now. Well, Struggling with failure I stumbled across a new culture for growing orchids. It was called Semi-hydroponics.

[puddin]

I agree. I just about killed a Moth orchid of mine, then I started using semi-hydroponics. It's now growing thick healthy roots. I'm really glad, for I got it as a birthday present from Mom, and it's her favorite one. It has nooooooo idea how close it came to being thrown away. I'm already looking at some others that I might repot in semi-hydroponics.

[Dorothy]

Puddin ..
What type of phalaenopsis is it? :
let's see

[puddin]

I have no idea what the name is, I was foolish and threw away the tag. It has all yellow flowers, not fragant. I'll try to get a picture of it.

[Dorothy]

Ah Thank you!

[puddin]

Dorothy, how do you put pictures on? I have the pictures on my camera, but I don't know how to put them on my reply.

[Dorothy]

Hit the post reply icon .. it will bring you to a blank screen with other icons .. look for the icon with the paper clip .. it will bring up a small screen where you can upload any pic in your system ...
Let me know if you have any problems ..

[Dorothy]

Download your pic into your system and shrink it to 79.9kb. That is the size the attachment file can hold.

[puddin]

OK, here are the orchids in bloom and the one in the S/H.







The mostly white ones are P.Be Tris x ps. Scarle in Snow, the red ones P.Wedding Promenade, and the last one Phal. Balden's Kaleicoscope 'Golden Treasure.' These are the only ones that are in bloom.

[puddin]

Oh, I see it didn't upload the whole plant that is in the S/H. Oh well.