Jumping into S/H - Orchid Board

MT-Phal · #1 09-24-2009, 09:21 PM

So being tired of the, what seems like, high maintenance factor of traditional growing medium... the past year or so has been coconut husk... i'm considering going into S/H. It seems like a very simple, yet effective way to keep your plant in top shape. And I read on Ray's site a complaint about cost... but $19 for a kit seems like an incredible bargain. I think I paid $25 for a bag of husk, and I'm on the constant look out for mold, moistness, air flow, etc.

So after spending the afternoon reading a bit on it, I have a few general questions.

I live in southern California and the weather is almost always dry, and lately has been very hot. If I were to repot into S/H now, would these conditions be okay for my phal? It currently has one (visible) root about to come out, and during the last couple months sprouted a handful of new roots. I'm hoping that if I repotted, these relatively new roots would be okay.

Would it help the roots adjust if I kept the resevoir down to a minimum the first few weeks or so?

And lastly, does algae do no harm?

I'm wanting to do this jump right now, b/c after an inspection this morning, I noticed that an older root had a case of mold and was on it's way out. If this was a b/c the root already old and dying, or just a case of mold, I'm not sure. I've kept this plant right by a window that recieves gentle breezes through the day so I'm puzzled that there's mold at all. I've already repotted this plant a handful of times in the last year or so, not wanting to do this every six months.

Ray · #2 09-25-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

I live in southern California and the weather is almost always dry, and lately has been very hot. If I were to repot into S/H now, would these conditions be okay for my phal? It currently has one (visible) root about to come out, and during the last couple months sprouted a handful of new roots. I'm hoping that if I repotted, these relatively new roots would be okay.

Keep in mind that your evaporation rate from the medium will be higher with the low humidity levels, and that can lead to cooling. Unless your growing area is reasonably warm, that could be a problem for phals (probably not a problem for you, but you will need to water more often). Go with a larger, squat pot, as it will stay more uniformly moist, overall.

Quote:

Would it help the roots adjust if I kept the reservoir down to a minimum the first few weeks or so?

No. You want the plant to grow roots into the environment it will live in routinely. Growing dry at first encourages roots accustomed to dry conditions, which will not do well once you start keeping them wet. Your comment on a new root about to sprout means the timing is perfect.

Quote:

And lastly, does algae do no harm?

No.

MT-Phal · #3 09-25-2009, 08:16 PM

thanks, Ray. I placed my order last night. I'm pretty stoked.

it's coming out of coconut husk, i hope the phal adjusts okay.

khozmo · #4 09-26-2009, 01:35 AM

MT-Phal,

I am in San Diego and the heat and lack of humidity is tough but I have taken to giving the orchids a misting in the morning or evening. I have currently about 15 or 20 plants all in S/H. Most of them are doing well. The ones that or not were all rescues with little to no roots. Even these have not died yet which leads me to believe they are putting out new roots.

Also moved to watering a little more often. every 4-5 days vs. 7-8. Also not letting the reservoir get to low helps.

I might look into evaporation trays to see if I can get the humidity up a little more in that area.

S/H is so far a lot easier than wood chips. Watering is a synch and potting is pretty simple.

trdyl · #5 09-26-2009, 02:03 AM

MT-Phal,

I grow in S/H in Southern Idaho with very low humidity 20-30% most of the time. My group of 45 plants include Phal species, Catt species, Neost, Sarcochilus and a few hybrids. The only ones that have failed for me are Vanda and Ascocenda.

khozmo · #6 09-26-2009, 02:07 AM

trdyl,

Do you grow in side your house or in a green house of sorts?

MT-Phal · #7 09-26-2009, 02:13 AM

thanks for the replies, guys. it's giving me confidence that my phal is going to do well.

hey khozmo, just wondering, what was your experience with losing the old roots of the phals you transferred into S/H?

trdyl · #8 09-26-2009, 02:15 AM

khozmo,

They are house plants on windowsills.

khozmo · #9 09-26-2009, 02:20 AM

Do you run your AC during the summer?
How often are you watering?

Any other tricks you can share with me. I always see other people S/H pics and the leca looks all shiny and moist. Mine is always dry on top.

trdyl · #10 09-26-2009, 02:57 AM

khozmo,

House temp in winter is keep at 62 degrees and summer at 72 degrees with air conditioner.

My temp range in the windows are 38-100 degrees depending on season and amount of direct sun.

The Catts go outside during the summer watering daily and fertilizing weekly. The rest stay in.

I keep the water/fertilizer level between .5-1.5 inches and usually only have to add more once a week for the plants inside.

My smaller pots stay fairly damp on top while the larger are fairly dry on top. But I do cheat little. I use PrimeAgra with an inverted clat pot in the bottom of the container.