S/H Culture pots

[-k-]

When picking up my hydroton, I also picked up some culture pots. As I continue contemplating S/H and which route I will take, was curious if anyone else uses them?

[Brooke]

Do you mean pots specifically for s/h? You can make them yourself by burning two holes about 1 1/2" up from the bottom or you can take the lazy way out like I do. Ray ships orders promptly

Brooke

[syndywindy]

I get most of my S/H pots from Ray also. Just got an order in fact. I have made my own by drilling the holes with my dremel.

[maiseymoo]

I have made my own, used some food containers and just put holes around the bottom.

[exasperatus2002]

I've been making my own from juice bottles. juicy juice & ocean spray has really good bottles for this. And they're clear so you can watch the root zone & water levels with ease.

[Irene]

I find great plastic containers at Dollar Tree. Just burn a couple holes in them near the bottom and they're good to go.

[-k-]

Thanks for all the great info folks!
I've got all my equipment now but are still deciding on which route to go, Yeah I take my sweet ol time!
The culture pots I got look like it will work but requires a slightly different setup, mostly I have been going off of Jay's S/H method but may have to slightly deviate from this.

I wanted to start this project with a Catt, but the cheap one I saw is now gone! Dang just missed it. However instead I found a Brassidium (Brsdm Shooting Star Mustard) not in bloom but with alot of active new growth so I will most likely start with this one! I will start a new thread later with pictures of all setup components for additional advice! Turtle pace here!

[maiseymoo]

Hey, it is best to go at a turtle pace and get it right then just barge right on into it and get it wrong! I have just posted a new thread on my progress of the phals I put into a s/h a while ago, so far so good.

[sunshine]

Maiseymoo, jump right in with both feet I just did all my waterhogs in s/h last week and can't wait to get home and check the results. I'm gonna try some of my catts in s/h as some of them like to be moist most of the time and seem quite happy.

I used the clear plastics pots with the holes in the bottom and set the pot in one of those clear round plastic bowl thingies and filled about 1/2 full of water
and set the pot in it. Also used my aircone plastic pots,too. Is this an acceptable method of s/h Also soaked my hydroton overnight and rinsed very thoroughly. Used my spaghetti strainer for rinsing

I wished I had taken pictures but with Tramp being sick and going back and forth to the vet just didn't have the time or energy. So when I get home, whenever that is everyone is all healthy, happy and growing Here's some of what I did in s/h. I have more but there not on my grow list.

Phaphiopedlum Snow Squall (delentii x greyii 'Ching Hua')
Vuylstekeara ALOHA SPARKS 'RUBY EYE'
Milt. LILLIAN NAKAMOTA 'TANTO
Bak. Samurai 'warrior'

[tangers40]

yep, i do what irene does...get cheap plastic food containers from the dollar store. they have em 2 or 3 for a buck (depending on what brand they have at the moment) so my pots are super cheap. they also have some plastic tumbler-type glasses that work well too. i have a dremel tool knock-off that i use to drill holes in em.

method 2 (if all i can find is a regular holey-bottom orchid pot): fill the pot and set it inside another pot/bowl full of water to use as the reservoir. sometimes ya gotta improvise lol.

[Phalcycle]

Originally Posted by -K-

Thanks for all the great info folks!
I've got all my equipment now but are still deciding on which route to go, Yeah I take my sweet ol time!
The culture pots I got look like it will work but requires a slightly different setup, mostly I have been going off of Jay's S/H method but may have to slightly deviate from this.

I wanted to start this project with a Catt, but the cheap one I saw is now gone! Dang just missed it. However instead I found a Brassidium (Brsdm Shooting Star Mustard) not in bloom but with alot of active new growth so I will most likely start with this one! I will start a new thread later with pictures of all setup components for additional advice! Turtle pace here!

Hehe, the first time to everything is always fun, and sometimes a little slow.
I was wondering what type of fertilizer are you going to use? If any? I still wonder if orchids can grow in S/H without fertilizer

[syndywindy]

Originally Posted by Phalcycle

I was wondering what type of fertilizer are you going to use? If any? I still wonder if orchids can grow in S/H without fertilizer

I use fertilizer on my orchids growing in S/H. I use MSU fert, pour it through and eventually what is in the resevoir gets wicked up.

[Ray]

Originally Posted by Phalcycle

I still wonder if orchids can grow in S/H without fertilizer

One cannot grow orchids in any culture method or medium without a source of nutrition. Not well, or not for long, anyway.

Soil is made up of some organic matter and some inorganic matter. As the organics decompose, and as the inorganics dissolve in water, the ions become available for the plant, i.e., are the source of nutrition.

The vast majority of orchid potting media are not a good source of nutrition. In fact, it is only when they decompose that any potential nutrients become available, but by the time that's a significant source, they will be taking the roots with them, so we repot into fresh medium.

LECA is essentially inert, so releases nothing.

[rschluss]

I have a few of Ray's pots. I got them to start with.

Now, I just go to the deli at my supermarket and ask nicely. The pots are the same size and shape as Ray's 4.5" pots. I just burn two holes in them and they are perfect. I actually prefer the deli containers now because they are free and very transparent.

[PocoGigio]

Hi all,
New member here. You all have been an inspiration. Couldn't find anyone versed in orchid s/h (actually I didn't even know there were different types of hydros). Googled and found this site. Been reading for days. Leaped light years in info. I am on a roll changing most of my 'chids to s/h. Won't do Vandas or some terrestrials or mounties. Thanks for all the creative ideas on the pots! I have a gazillion clay pots that I'm retiring or using as holder-uppers. Has anyone used clay w/trays as s/h? Went to dollartree and got the food containers and tumblers tangers40 suggested. I have a gazillion plastic pots with holes in them. I tried to use those clear plastic round el-cheapo trays as an insert instead of outside. Had to notch the lips for overflow drainage-some were too tight. But, at least these don't get lost in the moving around. Catts, Dendrobs and Phals are now in Hydroton with no reservoir. This summer I'll try Dendrobs in trays. All others are in s/h Hydroton.
Well, this is long winded but I am psyched. I'll keep it short next time!

[Irene]

PocoGigio!

[mayres]

I've found clear containers from the deli section of supermarkets work great - recycle after eating OR you can purchase them outright from the store - several stores were willing to sell them to me for ten cents each! I've also noted someone in my area using regular plastic pots that would have standard orchid media in them - except when growing S/H the pots are all placed in trays of water - works the same!

[tangers40]

Originally Posted by mayres

I've also noted someone in my area using regular plastic pots that would have standard orchid media in them - except when growing S/H the pots are all placed in trays of water - works the same!

i keep a couple this way. works just as well, the only problem i'm finding is the water in the reservoir gets gunky pretty fast, particularly the ones that get more light (i.e. catts). so i wash and bleach the water trays/bowls every once in a while. a little more work than the other method, but if you've just got a few plants like i do, it's not bad at all.