S/H watering

[brit6v]

I have a few plants in S/H that I moved over a few months ago and they seem to be doing fine. I have been flushing water through the pot when the reservoir became empty...be it 3 days, 4 days, 5 days...however long it has taken for the water to be totally wicked. I have never waited longer than a week to reflush, though...even if some water remains in the reservoir. Something has triggered my mind that made me wonder if I have been watering incorrectly all along, though. It may have been something in a thread that I read somewhere...I honestly don't know for sure. Was I supposed to have waited until time to water my orchids that are not in S/H (which is usually a wk.-10 days-depending on the type of orchid, conditions at the time, etc.)...even though the S/H reservoir is empty? Which way is correct?

I would appreciate your advice,
Vicki

[Ray]

Personally, I try to water before the reservoir gets empty, but I don't see it as a huge problem if they go dry once in a while.

However, if you wait for the "other" plants to need watering, under your growing conditions, your s/h plants will apparently go dry in between waterings too, and if that happens, you're no longer growing them in semi-hydroponics, but just in normal culture using LECA as a medium.

One of the nice things about having your plants in s/h is that you can water them on a schedule (I used to travel 6 days a week, and needed to be able to automate watering, so that's what led me to develop the culture method). In most culture methods, the roots are used to drying out between waterings, so you pretty much have to wait to water. In s/h culture, the roots are used to being constantly moist, and watering doesn't change that. I only automate when I'm on vacation now, but I just set the watering frequency to the needs of the fastest drying plants and let 'er rip.

[syndywindy]

I really don't have a set schedule for my orchids in S/H. I have found each orchid is alittle different in its needs. I have a Brassia that almost requires watering everyday, while my Maxillaria I can wait almost 4-5 days. And I have everything in between. If one needs flushing and others don't, I might just top off the resevoirs rather than flushing. But they all get flushed well at least once a week.

[brit6v]

Thank you Ray! You have explained perfectly and I understand now that I've been watering correctly all along, with the exception of waiting until the reservoir gets totally empty. From now on, I will not wait as long as I have been.
Thanks again,
Vicki

Originally Posted by Ray

Personally, I try to water before the reservoir gets empty, but I don't see it as a huge problem if they go dry once in a while.

However, if you wait for the "other" plants to need watering, under your growing conditions, your s/h plants will apparently go dry in between waterings too, and if that happens, you're no longer growing them in semi-hydroponics, but just in normal culture using LECA as a medium.

One of the nice things about having your plants in s/h is that you can water them on a schedule (I used to travel 6 days a week, and needed to be able to automate watering, so that's what led me to develop the culture method). In most culture methods, the roots are used to drying out between waterings, so you pretty much have to wait to water. In s/h culture, the roots are used to being constantly moist, and watering doesn't change that. I only automate when I'm on vacation now, but I just set the watering frequency to the needs of the fastest drying plants and let 'er rip.

[brit6v]

I have noticed the same as you. One of my dens in S/H wicks up faster than any of my others. That one seems to require watering every couple of days. 2 or 3 of my catts are next in line, so I know what you are saying.
Thanks for your advice and taking time to reply,
Vicki

Originally Posted by syndywindy

I really don't have a set schedule for my orchids in S/H. I have found each orchid is alittle different in its needs. I have a Brassia that almost requires watering everyday, while my Maxillaria I can wait almost 4-5 days. And I have everything in between. If one needs flushing and others don't, I might just top off the resevoirs rather than flushing. But they all get flushed well at least once a week.