Interested in growing in s/h culture

[Becca]

Hi! I thought I would post on here to see others opinions before I invested my money on converting some of my plants to the s/h method of growing. I was told by a local grower that the s/h method could rot roots because the clay holds the moisture next to the roots. But from what I have read, it seems it works well for most people. I have a variety of orchids, oncididiums, dendrobiums, and cattleyas, that I would like to try this method with. I live in Boise, Id which is considered a high desert area so it is very dry here. Many orchids I have purchased have been potted in a bark mixture. The reason I am looking to switch is becuase I think the bark mixture may have contributed to rotting the roots of my oncidium. I am looking for a method that will allow me to run less of a chance of rotting my roots by over watering/breaking down. Any info/advice/opinions is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Tindomul]

Hi,
I think S/H is great in terms of holding moisture and not rotting the roots. Proper S/H will provide enough air to the roots to keep them both humid/moist and give them enough air to breath and stay healthy. My only problem with this method is the mineral build up. I have seen more than a few roots on my orchids turn to the same color of the hydroton, meaning to say, they have collected dust and minerals from the S/H, and die. Or they die and then collect the dust and minerals. WHich I am not sure of. WHat I do know is that regardless, my Phals and 2 Lc.'s seem to keep growing in the media. Though for me, non have yet bloomed.

[Ray]

The concept of water in contact with the roots causing rot is an "old wives' tale". Think for a moment of epiphytes in the jungle during monsoon season - they are totally saturated 24/7 for months at a time - and you will understand why I state that.

Water filling up the voids in an overly-compact medium, on the other hand, will cut off the air flow to the root system, causing them to suffocate, die and rot. I believe that's where the mistaken assessment of "water causing rot" comes from.

One thing further to consider, though: root cells tailor themselves to the environment in which they grow. If your plants have been growing in relatively dry cultural conditions, the root systems may not function well in the moist environment of the s/h pot (the same could be said if you suddenly moved them into sphagnum, by the way). That is why it's important to time to repotting to coincide with new root growth, so the new roots will be tailored to the new environment.

[Marco]

For me it works for phals neos and dens but not paphs

[Tindomul]

Oh, and I have heard so many telling me to grow Paphs in it. ANy reason why Marco? I've never tried it myself.

[Marco]

at first i had all my paphs in s/h when i took a sample of paphs like 3 months later to check out their roots most of the roots rotted some had new root growth but it didnt look like the roots grew to much. Plants looked great but everything under the covers didnt. i have my paphs in a chc mix now and they growing roots all over the place.

[quiltergal]

Tindo, how long have your plants been in sh?

I really want to try this method. I have a couple of $9 NOID phals that I might be willing to risk. I think only one of them is showing new root growth right now.

[Tindomul]

The Lc.'s have been in there for about a year. The other over 6 months. No one has died, or rotted. At first I almost rotted my Lc.'s because I put them into glass jars mistakingly thinking that was S/H. Well the glass jars did not have air holes, so I almost killed them both. This would probably be why they have not bloomed for me this year. They are still recovering.

[Helen]

At my Orchid Society yesterday, the show table had several orchids using the s/h system. There happened to be a orchid judge there who said that those particular orchids could win awards! This was the first time I had actually seen this method in practice. Also, the judge clearly stated that you should not worry about the roots because if the roots want to go down to the water, that's where they want to be, if they didn't they would grow elsewhere. She said not too worry about them at all. These orchids were planted in clay coloured round balls (sorry don't know the name of them) and the owner said she periodically removes them and washes them down with regular water to get rid of all the slime and whatever else and it's been working really great for her. Just thought I'd pass this info along.

[Marco]

Heres a phal. (timothy christopher x javanica)



Phals love s/h