Where do you get pots without holes for semi-hydro?

[LKbflo]

I found my quart plastic transparent containers at a public restaurant supply place near by - I used a woodburner to put holes in the plastic - cheap & easy.

I don't have that many so far but I have become a super fan of orchids - they fascinate me - and I've always loved growing hydroponic plants of all kinds so this s/h system is my cup of tea.

Anyone in Buffalo NY and want some healthy, random non-orchid house plants?

[Mrphil1997]

I get the quart deli containers from Amazon. I drill the two holes where I need them.

[DMFLEIG]

Just to be clear, what are the holes for? Is it to draw water meaning the holes should be submerged?

[Subrosa]

In semi-hydroponic culture the drain holes are located on the side of the container, in order to provide a reservoir of water for the plant to use.

[DMFLEIG]

Thank you. I am new to s/h and I just want to make sure I understand what I am doing.
Can you use a container without holes?

[Roberta]

Originally Posted by DMFLEIG

Thank you. I am new to s/h and I just want to make sure I understand what I am doing.
Can you use a container without holes?

The holes in the sides of the pot let water drain, leaving a small reservoir at the bottom for humidity. The idea is that you fill the pot, and then let it drain - that wets the roots, and leaves fresh moist air in the roots zone as the water drains out. (For epiphytic orchids, the moist air around the roots, emphasis on "air", is critical no matter how you choose to accomplish it) I don't see how you would get that effect in a pot without holes.

[orangehero]

Excuse me to resurrect this, but I have a quick question that isn't really explained explicitly in the guides I've been reading:

Why are people making two holes in their containers? As I understand the reason for the holes is just to drain all of the liquid above a certain level to create a reservoir of liquid. So wouldn't that require just one drain hole to accomplish?

[farley101]

I believe it is a safety measure in case a LECA bead moves and covers one hole, there is still a second one as a backup. If you don't have many plants in S/H it probably isn't an issue, but people with a lot of plants and have watering automated could find themselves with drowned plants!

Originally Posted by orangehero

Excuse me to resurrect this, but I have a quick question that isn't really explained explicitly in the guides I've been reading:

Why are people making two holes in their containers? As I understand the reason for the holes is just to drain all of the liquid above a certain level to create a reservoir of liquid. So wouldn't that require just one drain hole to accomplish?

[SouthPark]

That's right. It's related to redundancy. If a round bead accidentally rolls around and plugs 1 hole completely, then a second hole may reduce the chance of having all holes plugged up perfectly by those round balls. The more holes, the less chance of having the unwanted condition of water not able to drain due to plugged holes. This is for cases where water is added, and then hypothetically the grower walks away ------ assuming that correct draining will occur.

[DirtyCoconuts]

bingo...i have adapted this to my situation and only have one larger hole in my glass containers...i also do this because one 5/11" hole is easier to drill than 2, 1/4" holes in glass