My paph in a hydroponic container died.

[Winterwhite]

I had a lovely paph that came in a container with hydroponic beads. I did notice that about two or three inches was sticking above the bead level. I should have been smart enough to replant it but it had three blooms, one fully in bloom and two in bud. I added water about an inch every 7 to 10 days. After pulling the plant out of the beads, I realized thatperhaps the plant wasn't getting enough water. I also noticed that there was alot of green moss building on the inside of the glass container and the water on the bottom was very dirty looking.
When I took the plant out of the container of beads/stones, most of the roots were rotten and black. I started cutting back the dead and rotten roots and then had noting left.
I thought that growing hydroponically was a fail-safe method of growing orchid. What happened here?
I also notice on the second orchid I bought,in a hydroponic container, that green moss is growing on the inside of the glass container as well.
Should I pull the plant out, wash the container and wash the beads?
Any ideas here? I would like to save the second paph. Thanks. Winterwhite

[kmarch]

Winterwhite,

I have lots of experience growing Paphs, no experience growing them in water. Jerry posted a thread that was a hydroponic how-to. One of the pics he posted was of a Paph beign grown in a bowl of water. Maybe he can help you sort out the situation with your Paph.

-K

[BillC]

Hi WW. This is a paragraph of a tutorial by Jerry on hydroponics - ladyslippers:

The disadvantages were the need to change the water every week and to keep ALL the roots under water to prevent rot (rot requires water and air so without air there is no rot). Additionally fertilizer once a month had a tendency to foul the water.

I could not pretend to know if the above had a bearing on your problem, but it is a possibility. So I would suggest you click on the 'Search' tab and type in 'Hydroponics' and read the whole article by Jerry. It may help.

Bill

[Tobi]

Winterwhite,
Hi, where in upstate NY are you? I'm in Rochester. I know an orchid grower,
Joe Kurnath with Bloomfield orchids that specializes in Paphs & Phrags and
has been growing them Hydroponically for a couple of years now with great
success. I'm sure if you E-mailed him and asked, he could help you
www.bloomfieldorchids.com