maintaining uniform moisture with S/H

[nutgirl]

This question came to me while reading an interesting thread in the advanced discussion regarding "for those of us who hate watering".

How important is it for the LECA to wick moisture all the way to the top of the pot? My dry climate rarely allows this to happen. I usually have condensation about 3/4 of the way up the pot.

I can't tell if it's having a negative effect or not. Everything seems happy but maybe they would be a lot better if this was wasn't happening.

Maureen

[johnblagg]

I dont know any more than I get about the same with mine but I have large pots.I just mist the top often.

Mine are doing great so far.I really think that if it bothers you a lot you could make the holes a little bit higher and get wore wicking that way?

[MT-Phal]

i don't think it's a negative thing unless roots that skim the top, or the top portion of roots, are dry. mine tend to stay green despite the moisture line being a couple layers lower. I also use bottom heat, which i think helps a lot, and at night when it's cooler i wrap the base of the pot with a cloth to raise the temp as well as insulate.

[Undergrounder]

The main thing i don't like about it is that the pot accumulates salts at the top a lot faster because the evaporation rate is so high. Which the new roots don't really like. And yeah those new roots don't seem to want to go down but skim along the top.

nutgirl i top dress with a layer of pebbles to keep the moisture from evaporating out as much and the water line always goes to the top

P.S. Whoever is inventing a new orchid S/H pot, make the lip curve inwards so when roots hit the edge of the pot they're forced down and don't grow over and out.

[nutgirl]

Thank you all,

I think I'll do some experimenting with your suggestions.

Maureen