[tom499]

I've had two wet loving phrags flourish (no flowers yet) in hydroton, in normal clear pots, but in a deep saucer of rain water for a few months, and thought it was time to go a step further as the potential for decreasing time spent watering etc was growing on my mind.

I've gone with 5 plants:

2 maudiae-type paphs, one in bud
1 Multifloral Paph
1 Phal species
1 Mottled Paph

All were suffering abit as they drain there water quickly, and were in the repotting time schedule. After unpotting them they all had some root growth, so I thought they'd be suited to the move.

These plants are in food freeze storage pots, with a few holes put in the side about an inch from the bottom.

The clay ball brand is J Arthur Bowers Hydroleca, which says can be used for hydroponics. The bag was £3.99 quite cheap, so I'm interested to see how it compares to the Phrags clay balls which are Hydroton.

I use rainwater for my orchids will fertilise these lightly to start, as the inert media will give them none.

I think the challenge will be getting the right balance of water in the reservoir and the right depth the plant is put at. Too much water to the roots will rot them, but too little will wither them.

I will be watching closely and post progress.

Any comments and help would be greatfully recieved.

Tom499