hydroton vs. prime agra?

[orchidjunky]

Updates....

So I had an orange Masdevallia which i split and put both in hydroponics... and i'm already seeing new growths!! and it's only been a week... now i know for a fact i didn't see those before!

On a negative note... my pansy orchid has some yellowing leaves but these are lower leaves in respect to the bulbs.. so i'm guessing this is just (sulking)

[Ray]

As to the nobile dens question, there are two schools-of-thought on that:

1) Withhold all water, as you would in "ordinary" culture, or

2) Water normally, but with plain water only, withholding all fertilizer.

Apparently both work fine.

[orchidjunky]

Originally Posted by Ray

As to the nobile dens question, there are two schools-of-thought on that:

1) Withhold all water, as you would in "ordinary" culture, or

2) Water normally, but with plain water only, withholding all fertilizer.

Apparently both work fine.

Interesting.. withholding fertilizer? This might be a dumb question but what is the rationale behind the effectiveness of that? As a matter of fact.. why do we need to withhold water anyways? Never knew... just did it and it worked fine for me for flowers.

[silvio]

Sheridan, what kind of medium are you using? Is that Hydroton? It looks very similar to the one I found here at the local garden centre: the beads are nearly perfectly spherical and quite heavy (a couple times Blusana, I would guess). If mine were the same you're using, I would be happy, since I repotted most of my Phals in that

Silvio

Originally Posted by Ranchnanny

What I like about it is that the medium isn't soaking wet its moist so you really can't overwater. I have Phal., Catts, Dens all in S/H and I having great success.
TTFN - Sheridan

[Ray]

Originally Posted by orchidjunky

Interesting.. withholding fertilizer? This might be a dumb question but what is the rationale behind the effectiveness of that? As a matter of fact.. why do we need to withhold water anyways? Never knew... just did it and it worked fine for me for flowers.

Wow! Missed this one....sorry.

My understanding is that the presence of nitrogen spurs on the continuation of vegetative growth, and stops blooming from occurring. I suspect that "not watering" is just a way to not feed.