Can s/h culture work for outdoor growers?

[NewBloom]

As this thread's title suggests, I grow my orchids outside. I first attempted s/h culture a couple summers ago on a rescue phal. The first few months yielded amazing results in terms of root and leaf growth and then it started going downhill.

I have a den hybrid keiki that I just potted in s/h. It's been sulking in bark and since I've been wanting to give s/h another try, I figured why not. I think the plant will do well during the summer but when it gets cooler November to February, that's another story.

When I've grown my dens in "traditional" orchid media, I've let them remain outside down to 55 degrees. With evaporative cooling in s/h culture I'm guessing that would be too cold

Do you all have any tips on how to successfully grow outside? At around what temperature range should I bring a plant in s/h indoors? Using special equipment like heating mats isn't an option for me outside.

With thanks,

NewBloom

[Bud]

Try this reading:

First Rays' "Semi-Hydroponic - TM" Culture

you can also contact Ray and ask him your questions

[Zoi2]

Fall night temps of 60-65 degrees is when I bring mine in (except for the cyms).
Joann

[Ray]

A lot of Florida outdoor growers use LECA as a medium in traditional culture, rather than necessarily semi-hydro culture. With the frequent rains, they don't have media decomposition issues, yet the plants stay adequately watered.

[NewBloom]

I've used Hydroton in traditional culture and it's not for me. We have hot, dry spells that require almost daily watering when straight LECA is used outdoors. That's not going to work for me, hence my interest in revisiting s/h.

I was wondering if there were any do's and don'ts when it comes to s/h culture outdoors. Is that growing culture best suited for green house locations?

[Ray]

"Semi-hydroponics" is merely a way to deliver water and nutrients to the plant more uniformly than is typical for traditional culture. That said, once you get a plant to grow it new root system that is acclimated to the environment, there is no reason it cannot do well, whether growing in the home, a greenhouse, or outdoors.

The only things I'd probably change in the outdoor scenario is to be sure to feed after rains, and bring the plants in when the nighttime temperatures approach 60°; no lower.

[NewBloom]

Thanks to you all for your input.

[DelawareJim]

Yes it'll work for growing outdoors just fine. I move most of my plants out onto a sheltered partly shaded deck each spring when night temps get above 65 and they grow beautifully.

Last year dumped 20 inches of rain on my collection between Hurricane Irene and TS Lee over a 2 week period. They never skipped a beat.

I don't have Phals in s/h because for me they get too cold in the winter. That said, over on Big Leaf Orchids forum, a lot of people successfully grow Phals in s/h. From the posts I've read people down south have great success with s/h year round while growers up north have problems during the winter. Apparently from evaporative cooling making it too cold for the roots.

Cheers.
Jim