Phrags in Semi hydroponic - Orchid Board

ladyslipper · #1 10-07-2008, 01:35 AM

Hi guys, I have been fortunate in the last few days in getting a number of Phrags that I have been looking at for some time. They are supposed to be a bit smaller (height wise) so I stand a better chance of successful growing. Anyway, here is the question. amongst my recent acquisitions are 1 Bessae & perhaps 2 Bessae crosses. Would it be a good idea to grow these guys in the PrimeAgra Ceramic Growing pellets instead of the mixture of wood chips, charchol & sphagnum moss I have them in? These guys are the kind that like to be moist all or most of the time.

Would I have to soak the pellets in a root stimulator or just pot them up in the semi pellets?

Regards, m

Bolero · #2 10-07-2008, 05:12 AM

Are you unhappy with the current potting mix? Are the plants not growing well?

Grandma M · #3 10-07-2008, 08:53 AM

I have been growing all my phrags in PrimeAgra or Hydroton, using the S/H method, for more than 3 years. They love it and bloom well.

I soak the PA in KLM or similar product over night. (or 24 hours prefered).
Marilyn

Becca · #4 10-07-2008, 10:57 AM

Not trying to hijack the thread, but I have a question related to the original question. If it is decided to make a switch to s/h from the mixture of wood chips, charcoal & sphagnum moss, if they were kept moist previously, would the roots adapt well the the s/h culture or would they die off and new roots would take their place. Just trying to figure out if new root growth is really needed for they guys when making the switch to s/h.

lindad3406 · #5 10-07-2008, 02:19 PM

M- I have been growing my collection of Bessae in the bark mixture for some time now, I place them in dishes with water in them, Mine are growing well this way, but I have been thinking of switching to S/H although a little nervous to do so, I will be following this thread closely/
BTW, I know about using periods at the end of sentences, but mine appears to be broken,

ladyslipper · #6 10-07-2008, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lindad3406

M- I have been growing my collection of Bessae in the bark mixture for some time now, I place them in dishes with water in them, Mine are growing well this way, but I have been thinking of switching to S/H although a little nervous to do so, I will be following this thread closely/
BTW, I know about using periods at the end of sentences, but mine appears to be broken,

Hi Linda, I am really leery of changing to s&h as its not their normal growing medium, even the Bessae's don't grow in only or water dominant conditions. I may just leave them for now. I have just gotten my Bessae and Bessae crosses so I am hovering around them like the proverbial mother hen and fretting that they will hate me and die to get away. Ok, Mary, deep breath...

By the way regarding your broken periods: I was really tempted to ask if thats a Texan thing (no periods). (Just joking, no offence)

Happy Phrag growing!

Mary

lindad3406 · #7 10-07-2008, 03:05 PM

I don't blame you for staying put on the mix/ BTW, No offense taken on the Texan ' thang' we talk funny, so why not type funny

/ Good luck with your collection

philoserenus · #8 10-07-2008, 08:10 PM

well for me, mine's like the extreme case of s/h. my water loving phrags sit in tubs of water that submerses 1/2 the pot, they are in hydroton (completely inorganic) and they seem to love it, tonnes of roots, lots of new growth activities

rtsingleton · #9 10-08-2008, 08:21 AM

My phrags are of bessae origin and they love s/h

Ray · #10 10-12-2008, 11:28 AM

Becca, a plant that has adjusted to a wet environment usually perceives the moist LECA environment as an improvement, and adjustes very quickly.

Linda, if you're growing with the plants standing in a tray of water, you ARE growing semi-hydroponically, just not with an inert medium.

Mary, bark chips, CHC, perlite and the like are not "normal" media for phrags, either. In nature, they tend to grow in moss, mud, clumps of dead grass and rocks, often with their roots constantly submerged in the running water of a stream.

In "domesticated" orchid culture, we are trying to find a method to provide everything the plants need, but in a manner that is convenient for the grower, and not trying to duplicate the plants' environment in nature (I hope my words are properly expressing my thoughts here). In nature, the plants are often growing in very much of a "survival" mode, while we try to optimize the culture.