Hydroton Expanded clay pellet uses?

[RosieC]

Do finer root 'chids such as Oncs and Miltionia types do well in hydroton? (If I've missed this being mentioned above my appologies, I've just scanned down and can't see any mention).

I've just started with my Phals, and I like the idea of putting my Cattlaya in it as I'm always worried about over watering that, but not sure about the fine roots of Onc types

[Sammy]

Hi Rosie,

I put a few of my phals into hydroleca and they have had a touch of trouble adjusting to the new root environment, with a touch of rott. I have tried to slowly build up the moisture around the roots.

The catts have taken to it really well. One is a fairly mature LC and the other is pretty reasonable in size. I have used KLN root solution, (i think thats the name) twice a month in watering and they have done really well, if i get time i will upload some pictures.

My two dends have not done very well, the leaves have gradually turned yellow and wrinkled and just dropped off due to root rot. But to be honest they were just lidl fever instant buys and am kind of running out of space!!

[zxyqu]

My Oncs love the S/H setup and they've been in S/H for a little over a year or so for most of them. I would say the ones that are doing he best are the smaller psedobulb types, but my Brassias seem to like them just fine as well. I only have a single Miltonia I. S/H and it seems to like it so far.

[Gin]

Rosie , I have an oncid. twinkle in s/h has been in it for several years , it has fine roots and does well in it ..

[johnblagg]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

I found something yesterday at a pet store called "Hydro Balls." It is a rather small LECA - about 2/3 the size of Ray's Primeagra. I'm thinking of using it in S/H with some 2-3" pots I'll make out of soda bottles. I have some small plants in S/H and they are growing slowly. Of course, I'm new to orchids and maybe I'm not patient enough.
Has anybody tried this product?

well well Connie I just did the same exact thing ...and same product in fact and bought two bags myself.I am planning on trying some cats in just that as a medium and not s/h.

But everything I have in s/h is growing really fast although my catts In s/h slowed way down this summer after going outside...I think maybe I moved them out to soon and they got a little too chilly and went into a semi dormant period but they have just started growing new leads again so all is good.

By the way if your coffee drinkers The smaller plastic containers coffee comes in make great s/h pots...lol the red ones dont let algae grow either.

[Becky Jo]

Ray are you saying that if you grow your orchids in hydro and you live in well Michigan that it won't work? Sorry I am confused?

[johnblagg]

I read that to say ...if the relative humidity plummets in winter the pots get chilled more from the evaporation rate and you will possibly need to use some type of bottom heat to warm them up a bit ...not that you cant do it but it will need to pay more attention to the temp in the pots to avoid problems from that issue.

I use a digital thermometer in my s/h pots to keep a eye on this myself even though I dont have that problem to much.I just like to know the temp at the root zones as well as air temps

[Becky Jo]

Thanks. so what is the temp at the root zone?

[orchids3]

Hi,
One of our society members has a very large collection in aliflor - very similar to Hydraton I believe. She waters everyday. I have tried it and although it works I find Stalite to be even better. Stalite is expanded shale and is used as a lightweight aggregate. It is very forgiving of both extrems of water - too much or too little. Have successfully grown almost everything I have in it. Cymbidiums - which I grow outside in rainy old Florida do really well. Paphs and Prags do very well when Coconut husk is mixed in. I hate mixes which rot and must be repotted every year. If I used something that decomposed fast I would be repotting plants all day - 7 days a week year round. Behind with potting now because I used some of the Organic stuff in years past - It is getting replaced by necessity.

[debval]

I have EVERYTHING "in the rocks" If I use a clay pot I put a smaller plastic saucer in the bottom to keep a little water. Works great! The saucers I'm talking about are the drip catchers. About an inch deep. You can adapt almost any pot this way.