Trying an experiment

[stefpix]

Actually I have a phal bastianii and a p equestris in clay pots in a tray they share with a phal hybrid in S/H. I have to say that seems the clay pots even if raised a bit from the water tray but sitting on a wood soap holder that is wet they still wick some humidity up. It seems that actually humidity and slight moist clay pots are good for the phals. seem to make them grow faster with more turgid leaves

[Connie Star]

This is really helpful. I've got 2 plants in S/H, a phal and a paph. I'm brand new to orchids. I find it hard to evaluate the roots, so the pictures you have are a good comparison.
Are you using well, tap, ro or rainwater? I think my well water may be too hard for the S/H as there is a white crystalline substance on the pebbles.
I look forward to more pictures

[Ray]

► You should not allow multiple plants to share a tray of water. it's the ideal way to spread plant pathogens.

► Be careful of clay pot s/h, particularly for phals and other plants that like to be very warm: As the drier winter months approach, the added evaporation of the clay pot surface will significantly increase the evaporative cooling, so if you're not prepared for that (humidifiers, warmer thermostat setting, under-tray heat), the root zone can be too cold for the plants.

► Connie: How recently did you move the plants into S/H, and did you thoroughly clean the medium before use? Sometimes manufacturing residues can be brought out by evaporation, and it appears as a crystalline deposit on the top of the pellets. (Heavy watering for a couple of weeks will take care of it.)

[Connie Star]

Hi Ray, I've put up some pictures of the plants in S/H. I just have two. I've been flushing with distilled H2O before the S/H fertilizer.
I think I may buy 2 identical plants and 1 in S/H 1 in orchid potting mix.
I measured my well water and the hardness is 250, which is the second highest on the test kit scale.
I really appreciate your help. Here's the link.
http://www.orchidboard.com/community...hp?albumid=345
By the way, the paph I ordered from you arrived in good shape. I'm letting it recover from the trip and may put it in S/H.