Will My Semi-Hydro Orchids Grow Just As Well As Those In Traditional Media?

[kvet]

I've been researching and planning my first container garden for the next season, and realized something:
SH is pretty much the same thing as self-watering pots and sub-irrigated planters. Just wicks the water up.

[SouthPark]

Originally Posted by Edew

True, I’ve been afraid of not being able to see the roots. So maybe glass will do the trick. Plus it looks nice too. I also want to avoid more plastic if possible. Hence why I used coffee cups as pots rather than tossing in the bin. Reduce, reuse, recycle

Edew ------ now, I'm not absolutely sure of it, but see-through pots usually promotes algae growth on both the roots and the pot and the media. If this happens, then it's possible that there can be some spin-off effects ----- maybe some negative effects, maybe some positive effects.

On the other hand - if there are holes in a non-see-through pot, then I guess similar situation can happen, but maybe not at the same rate, or not as much.

---------- Post added at 11:18 AM ---------- Previous post was at 11:12 AM ----------

Originally Posted by kvet

I've been researching and planning my first container garden for the next season, and realized something: SH is pretty much the same thing as self-watering pots and sub-irrigated planters. Just wicks the water up.

Maybe same or similar idea --- similar lines. I'm thinking that if the number of plants we grow is very limited, then LECA or scoria (inorganic) can be used as the medium.

The pot can be non-see-through plastic, with good drainage.

An electronic/mechanical watering system could automatically inject or spray water into the media surface periodically. Battery backup, and redundancy would be considered too for such a system - to make it reliable. The grower can also watch the orchids like a hawk every day - just in case.

[camille1585]

Originally Posted by kvet

I've been researching and planning my first container garden for the next season, and realized something:
SH is pretty much the same thing as self-watering pots and sub-irrigated planters. Just wicks the water up.

True in that they are variants of the same principle, but one of the main differences is the ability to easily flush the reservoir in S/H, which is usually difficult/impossible to do in the other systems. And the flushing is an important factor in maintaining healthy orchids in S/H.

[Ray]

Unless it is rampant and it clogs things up, a clear indicator of overfeeding, algae is nothing but an aesthetic issue. Don't forget that it is only growing where it can get light+water+fertilizer, that is, at the pot wall.

[Edew]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

Are you familiar with the process of drilling glass? It can be a bit tricky, more so the thinner it gets.

I’m willing to learn mwaha. Got a drill recently and have been watching tutorials. What would we do without youtube?

Got any tips?

Originally Posted by SouthPark

Edew ------ now, I'm not absolutely sure of it, but see-through pots usually promotes algae growth on both the roots and the pot and the media. If this happens, then it's possible that there can be some spin-off effects ----- maybe some negative effects, maybe some positive effects.

On the other hand - if there are holes in a non-see-through pot, then I guess similar situation can happen, but maybe not at the same rate, or not as much.

I do use cache/opaque decorative pots to hold the orchid pots so I haven’t had algae issues. Not a fan of the look of algae so that’s why I use outer pots

[WaterWitchin]

I have some great tips for drilling glass. I’ll try to post them either later or in the morning!

[DirtyCoconuts]

Drilling glass is very very easy as long as you have the right tools and a steady hand. Or a drill press.


Diamond or diamond/carbide drill bit. I like to use the hole saw bits so I can just drill one hole the size I want.

Use a sprayer with any water in it and have it set to auto spray and point to at the work. Start on the slowest setting and increase until about medium speed. Do not push down at all...let the weight of the drill and the bit do the work.


As long as it is lubricated well it will work every time.

Those bits can also drill ceramic and terra-cotta

[Ray]

Pro tip: 2 holes, placed right next to each other, is the preferred configuration.

When a LECA ball blocks one (it will happen), it will also prevent the other one from being blocked.

[Edew]

Originally Posted by Ray

Pro tip: 2 holes, placed right next to each other, is the preferred configuration.

When a LECA ball blocks one (it will happen), it will also prevent the other one from being blocked.

Haha I know exactly what you mean! Happened to a couple of pots. I was wondering “why the slow flow?” 😆

[WaterWitchin]

Edew... did you see the thread I put up on SH forum on how to drill a pot?