Maria's New Experiment!!!!!

[maria1971]

BACKGROUND:

I've had this Lc. that I bought from SBOE last year. Well, the plant is not big enough to divide, but the pseudobulbs are awkwardly placed. I've had problems finding a proper pot for this thing since I bought it.

The 6" clay pots are too small to accomodate the pb's, but the 8" pots hold too much medium.

I compromised and bought the shallowest 8" pot and put hardly any medium in it. The roots suffered because the pot was still too big. All of a sudden, it started growing roots, but then the roots died back. It made a new growth too, but not much movement. In the meantime, all my other SBOE plants were just chugging along, happily growing.

So, I've been struggling with the plant ever since I got it. About 3 weeks ago, I got tired of just staring at the thing. So, I decided to check the roots. Again, too soggy.

I didn't have any other clay pots; I only had a net pot. So, I was like, what the heck, I'll just use this. I unpotted the orchid, trimmed back the dead roots (again) and potted it in a big 8" net pot with 100% Hydroton. This was 3 weeks ago.

Today I went to check on the plants, and WHAT DID I SEE?


....................................

4 new roots!!!!! HUGE ROOTS. Roots that had wound their way INTO the pot and are now peeking OUT OF THE POT. LIVE ROOTS. ROOTS WITH GREEN TIPS. I picked it up and this damned orchid is growing roots!!!! It is growing additional roots that are just starting!!!!!

So this is my new experiment. I am going to take some orchids and grow them in net pots with 100% hydroton. If I am succesful, I am going to switch everything I can to this method.

So today I bought (20) 5.5 inch heavy duty net pots and (10) 8 inch heavy duty net pots. I'm excited!!!!

[orchidea]

I think Shan growth her Ecyclias almost the same way. She uses clay pots with holes and fills them up with charcoal and hydroton, then wateres them frequently.....
So, maybe add some charcoal. This stuff absorbs everything that shouldn't be there.....
Sounds like you got yourself out of feeling bored.....

[Shannara]

I love projects like this Maria. Whenever things aren't working for your chids it's time to try something new! So I am guess this one was in a clay pot and hydroton up to this point and was still unhappy? I guess it just wanted a lot of airflow!

I like the idea of your net pots. I am looking forward to seeing how your project progresses. The main reason for my switching everything to clay is that the plants are much more stable during storms. Any of the ones in plastic just fly in a good breeze. I could do a netpot if I secured the plant with a ziptie. Good ideas Maria! So happy that your orchid is bouncing back for you.

Shann~

[rcb]

I use Hydroton in net pots for certain plants as well. They respond well to it, but need watered every sunny day.

[Greybeard]

Hooray! A comeback and new root growth is a great sign Maria Somtimes experimentation is the best thing to do Forgive my newness but what kind of medium is Hydroton Is this this something that must be ordered because I have never seen it at any of my local garden centers and would lava rock be a good substitute Dummy me has to ask

[maria1971]

Originally Posted by Shannara

I love projects like this Maria. Whenever things aren't working for your chids it's time to try something new! So I am guess this one was in a clay pot and hydroton up to this point and was still unhappy? I guess it just wanted a lot of airflow!

I like the idea of your net pots. I am looking forward to seeing how your project progresses. The main reason for my switching everything to clay is that the plants are much more stable during storms. Any of the ones in plastic just fly in a good breeze. I could do a netpot if I secured the plant with a ziptie. Good ideas Maria! So happy that your orchid is bouncing back for you.

Shann~

Shann,

I know!!! I plan to use some pieces of river rock to stabilize the pot for this very reason.

Yes, the funny thing is, that I'm using the same amount of hydroton. I just switched the plant over to a net pot. I suppose it wanted A LOT more airflow.

I 've been so frustrated with the plant!!!

[maria1971]

I think Shan growth her Ecyclias almost the same way. She uses clay pots with holes and fills them up with charcoal and hydroton, then wateres them frequently.....
So, maybe add some charcoal. This stuff absorbs everything that shouldn't be there.....
Sounds like you got yourself out of feeling bored.....

Hopefully yes. LOLOLOLOL

[maria1971]

Hooray! A comeback and new root growth is a great sign Maria Somtimes experimentation is the best thing to do Forgive my newness but what kind of medium is Hydroton Is this this something that must be ordered because I have never seen it at any of my local garden centers and would lava rock be a good substitute Dummy me has to ask

Graybeard,

Hydroton is a brand of LECA (Lightweight expanded clay aggregate). Little clay pellets. Hydroton is more regularly shaped (spherical) than for example, prime agra.

[syndywindy]

Never thought of a net pot with hydroton. I've been switching some of my orchids into clay pots with it and am liking the results. If there is a drawback it's the increased frequency of watering, but if the orchids are happy, then so am I. Cool that your orchid has responded so well and quickly to your experiment.

[sunshine]

Marie, that is great you found something that works and you saved your orchid This is one of the things I love about orchids. So many different things and if one way doesn't work there's always another. I am slowly going back to clay pots, especially for my catts. I used plastic for a while but some of them really seem happier in clay.

[Algyros]

Has anyone tried growing phals in net pots with 100% LECA?

[Leafmite]

This spring, I switched a few to net baskets, still using lava rock, and now I am switching the rest. The orchids seem to really like it, the net pots are lighter than the clay ones, I enjoy seeing the roots, and the roots won't attach to the plastic. Tuesday, I switch over the rest of my orchids. I'm so excited!
Leafmite

[Leafmite]

I do have two phals in the net pots and lava rock, phal amboinensis and phal violacea (Malaysia x Borneo). They both seem happier with more air around the roots but I have to water them once a day now that it has been so dry.
Leafmite

Maria, I will try your experiment on two of my cattleyas that needs repotting. I will use my 6" glass cereal bowls that I drilled several holes in (the clay spheres will look great in it and I can see the roots grow). I will report back to you after 3 weeks.

[maria1971]

Originally Posted by Anky

Maria, I will try your experiment on two of my cattleyas that needs repotting. I will use my 6" glass cereal bowls that I drilled several holes in (the clay spheres will look great in it and I can see the roots grow). I will report back to you after 3 weeks.

Sure thing!!

That sounds like a fun experiment also.

[orchids4me]

Very cool!!! Keep us posted on how this goes...
Hey! Where are the pickys !!!????????? Lol

[iluvorchids]

What does a net basket look like? I've never seen one at any nursery I've been to.

Hmmm....hydroton sounds interesting, but watering everyday might be a slight challenge at this point.

[JLu]

Net pots, wood baskets, clay pots, plastic pots, clear pots, opaque pots, no pots, double pots, little pots, big pots, ...none of this is the answer to a problem. You can grow an orchid in anything (or nothing). It just requires adapting your technique to the growing method. It's all common sense based on understanding the plant's needs and desires.

This thread started with a false premise that moving from clay to net solved a serious root growing problem. No, it apparently solved a technique problem. The first clues were the statements that the plant was not big enough to divide and that it would not fit into a six inch pot, but an eight inch pot was too big. Why would you jump up and divide an orchid that will take years to return to the size that you bought? The only good answers are that it won't fit into the space you have available or it's so big that you can no longer move it by yourself when necessary. I don't think either of those apply to this situation. Most skilled orchid growers are spending their efforts to grow specimen plants, not looking for a candidate for surgery. Dividing a plant is not a goal, it's a necessity to be avoided as much as possible.

The difference between not fitting a six inch pot and an eight being too big are trivial and not the reason for anything. That's just nonsense.

If the net pot is doing well, it fits your style and you should keep using it. That does not mean that it's the panacea of orchid growing. For someone in a low (or even moderate) humidity region, a net pot with LECA won't work worth a darn unless you water it very frequently. For someone in south Florida moss might be a nightmare unless you understand how to use it. Plastic pots are good for some things and some grower's techniques, but they suck if you have a plant that needs cool roots. Clay that lets water seep though and evaporate is much better.

The point is there is no magic pot. It depends on you and your conditions and your ability to adapt your technique to the situation at hand. Unfortunately that requires that you be able to understand what the plant needs, what its performance is telling you, and what you can do to improve the situation. You are not going to get that knowledge from group therapy with a peer group that has no clue. Either read (and understand) the hell out of good books and/or attend every seminar given near you by someone who has proved they are successful at growing orchids.

[sunshine]

The point is there is no magic pot. It depends on you and your conditions and your ability to adapt your technique to the situation at hand. Unfortunately that requires that you be able to understand what the plant needs, what its performance is telling you, and what you can do to improve the situation. You are not going to get that knowledge from group therapy with a peer group that has no clue. Either read (and understand) the hell out of good books and/or attend every seminar given near you by someone who has proved they are successful at growing

Excuse me. For starters if it weren't for this forum I wouldn't be growing orchids today. I would much rather get my knowledge from someone who has been there and done and keeps things simple and too the point. I have a couple of books for reference only. I have books either to long,complicated and boring or just give you a very vague idea of whats going on and I'm still sitting there trying figure out what their saying. Not all of us have a college education and can understand some of the words that are used. As for attending seminars. Ain't happening in my neck of the woods. So I rely on the advice given here. BTW I have gotten some very good advice on this site and have made some friends,too. By reading how other people care for their orchids it has enabled me to try new and different types of orchids and also try different growing mediums and methods. I have to figure out what works best for me. I give Marie for figuring out what works for her. Yes, I use culture the sheets available but will also ask others how they are growing certain orchids. I have sent several orchids to heaven but have also learned why that happened. Went out,bought another and started over.

I'll take group therapy over book therapy any day

[JLu]

Thanks for the explanation of your view. While we are not going to agree on books being boring or needing a college degree to be able to read one, it is interesting to see the way that others choose to learn. If it works for you, then by all means keep it up.

[maria1971]

Originally Posted by JLu

Net pots, wood baskets, clay pots, plastic pots, clear pots, opaque pots, no pots, double pots, little pots, big pots, ...none of this is the answer to a problem. You can grow an orchid in anything (or nothing). It just requires adapting your technique to the growing method. It's all common sense based on understanding the plant's needs and desires.

This thread started with a false premise that moving from clay to net solved a serious root growing problem. No, it apparently solved a technique problem. The first clues were the statements that the plant was not big enough to divide and that it would not fit into a six inch pot, but an eight inch pot was too big. Why would you jump up and divide an orchid that will take years to return to the size that you bought? The only good answers are that it won't fit into the space you have available or it's so big that you can no longer move it by yourself when necessary. I don't think either of those apply to this situation. Most skilled orchid growers are spending their efforts to grow specimen plants, not looking for a candidate for surgery. Dividing a plant is not a goal, it's a necessity to be avoided as much as possible.

The difference between not fitting a six inch pot and an eight being too big are trivial and not the reason for anything. That's just nonsense.

If the net pot is doing well, it fits your style and you should keep using it. That does not mean that it's the panacea of orchid growing. For someone in a low (or even moderate) humidity region, a net pot with LECA won't work worth a darn unless you water it very frequently. For someone in south Florida moss might be a nightmare unless you understand how to use it. Plastic pots are good for some things and some grower's techniques, but they suck if you have a plant that needs cool roots. Clay that lets water seep though and evaporate is much better.

The point is there is no magic pot. It depends on you and your conditions and your ability to adapt your technique to the situation at hand. Unfortunately that requires that you be able to understand what the plant needs, what its performance is telling you, and what you can do to improve the situation. You are not going to get that knowledge from group therapy with a peer group that has no clue. Either read (and understand) the hell out of good books and/or attend every seminar given near you by someone who has proved they are successful at growing orchids.

Why all the piss and vinegar???

Yes, I read books (lots of them), I read culture sheets (lots of them too), but guess what? Those books and culture sheets tell me the parameters of how the orchids grow in their natural environment. They give me hard line rules regarding their growth. They can give me clues as to how I can adapt them to *MY* growing environment, but I generally have to fill in the blanks myself.


In order to grow them in Miami, I have to experiment. So, what my little peabrained self does is try out different media, different types of pots, light, watering, fertilizing, until I think I got it right.

I never said that my aim was to divide my orchids. In fact, it isn't. But you wouldn't know that because you are way too eager to handslap everyone.

I also never said that plastic net pots are coated with fairy dust and would provide a solution to ALLLLLLLL my growing problems. I also never said that one size fits all. That is YOUR assumption. But again, in your eagerness to lecture everyone, you jump to conclusions.

What I mentioned in this thread is that I'm going to experiment with SOME of my orchids. If it works, GREAT. If it doesn't, then I'll go back to clay pots. No big deal.

I will also say that it's offensive that you put people down due to their learning style. I have a lot of initials after my name, but you know what, a lot of other people here do too. Some people have none at all, yet they can teach me or you a thing or two. We aren't here to compare brain pans, or learning styles. We are here to enjoy orchids and perhaps, learn from each other while having fun.

Carry on.

[Amblnc38]

<3 Maria

The two orchids Phal hybrids I got from Al's are in hydroton, I really want to put the two orchids I have "recovering" in water, yup...just *water*, (you should see their roots! >) ) in the same medium.....

Problem is...it's way to pricey for she who is working on getting those letters after her name. Does anyone have any suggestions as to something that might be comparable that isn't so pricey? I have lava rocks, but don't know if that will work well.

[orchids4me]

Hey Maria . Keep us posted how it goes for you with the net posts and media you are using. I'm glad your trying new things I've recently been using. Some tree fern for some things, and cork chips for others that need to dry faser been doing a lot of basketing (teak wood ones) for Trgl., Vanda, and Neo's Rcb taught me a new media for Trgl (lava rock) and it got a new root and leaf, Vanda's just in coco fiber, and Neos in coco chip lined wirh coco fiber. There are a few others too mixed bark cork chips leca in the bottom of some just reying different things so kuddo's to you
Emmaye

[Shannara]

I wanna see pics of this experiment. Show us those fat roots Maria!!

You know Emmaye birds love to steal my coco fiber for their nests. I always see them picking at it! Naughty birds!

Shann~

[Leafmite]

AmbInc38,
I have had my phals in lava rock and they really love it. I recently decided to give most of my no ID phals away and before I did, I unpotted them to check the roots. What a pleasant surprise! Not one bad root and I could barely get them back in the pots! Hope this helps,
Leafmite

[plantloverlisa]

Maria, I have bought several orchids (Catts., Ency.) from your area and they are planted in net pots with LECA and they do very well here in hot California. I just water every day and if it's over 90 I turn on oscalating misting fan and they get fine mist. I don't worry about over watering.