Easing in to S/H

[IdahoOrchid]

(posted in another thread as well)

Here is an idea I came up with to slowly adapt my plants to s/h: either because they are paphs (seem to be finicky to s/h) or not in active root growth. It was suggested to keep the roots in the upper 1/4 of the pots to allow them to grow to the level that they like. Since many of my pots are a little short or the root systems would require a pot 18" tall or more I needed to come up with a way to ease into it.

What I am doing is starting out watering my plants (paphs mostly) like they were in a normal substrate. In other words I do not leave any or possibly a very small amount of water in the bottom. I will slowly increase the amount of water retained as the plant show it is adapting to the new conditions. Time will tell but the early returns are promising.

[Becca]

Hi Steven! Thanks for the great idea! How long have you been using this technique and how is it working out for you?

[IdahoOrchid]

Originally Posted by RPfeiffer

Hi Steven! Thanks for the great idea! How long have you been using this technique and how is it working out for you?

Only about two weeks now so I don't have any conclusive results yet. Only one new plant is doing poorly since I got it but that may not even be the S/H environment but an adjustment. I sure hope that is what it is and that it recovers quickly.

[cb977]

This is interesting, Steven...since we have so many people becoming more and more curious about S/H, you might come up with some very worthwhile information for them

Please keep us posted

[Ray]

I agree, but keep in mind that two weeks is NOTHING.

[IdahoOrchid]

Originally Posted by Ray

I agree, but keep in mind that two weeks is NOTHING.

Yup, I agree. Just said it differently.

[IdahoOrchid]

Originally Posted by IdahoOrchid

Only about two weeks now so I don't have any conclusive results yet. Only one new plant is doing poorly since I got it but that may not even be the S/H environment but an adjustment. I sure hope that is what it is and that it recovers quickly.

The plant mentioned above is doing well. Its terminal leaf was drooped over and had to be supported to prevent permanent damage when it was received and put in to S/H. It has slowly become able to support itself. Today when checking plants and watering I noticed it has improved to the point where the leaf is able to support itself.

Again, this is NOT a claim that S/H provided the environment to allow this. It IS a good thing though and I am glad that S/H did not cause it to deteriorate.

Most of the plants I have in S/H are now being allowed to have a bit of retained water in the bottom of the pots. Only one, a phrag, does not seem to have had good root response. I may have to unpot and clean it up. Others are still at the point where the roots have not shown themselves either and so I cannot claim complete success although most are showing new leaf growth.

[ScottMcC]

I've been doing something similar, except I just use a "normal" orchid pot with primeagra as the medium. after proving that the plant can adapt to this, I switch it over to a s/h pot. I wait as long as it takes to prove to myself that it's doing ok. some smaller plants I won't move over until they're in bigger pots, because otherwise the whole pot would be reservoir.

[DasEmpress]

I'm going to be trying an experiment this week with two seedlings that I bought online..they're Cattley Mem Tiang 'Lakeland'. They're both the same size & health, so I'm going to try one in s/h, and leave the other in a mixed bark pot.

[Becca]

Steven and ScottMcC: When using the PrimeAgra in normal pots or not keeping water in the reservoir, did you presoak the PrimeAgra as you would if you were to use the PrimeAgra normally?