How is Hydroton supposed to feel?

[nheidar]

I repotted 6-8 of my orchids (a few phals, 1 catt, 1 pot, and 1 onc) into S/H (hydroton). I don't have the special pots (with reservoirs on the bottom and drainage holes an inch or two up); so I used normal pots, and when I water them, I fill up the clear plastic tray they're in almost all the way up. There are also small rocks in the trays, that the pots sit on top of.

I sort of expected the media to feel humid to the touch, though, and it doesn't. It feels cool, but not noticeably moist. Of course, I didn't dig too deep because I don't want to disturb the orchids further. So, I'm wondering (1) if the way my hydroton feels is normal and (2) whether my orchids will take to the hydroton despite not having the right pots.

I suppose that I'm a little nervous about the switch, because many of the orchids I repotted were pretty happy and I'm afraid they won't like the change.

Thanks!

Natasha

[E-Jag]

(1)yes and (2)yes. I grow almost everything in Hydroton - but not semihydroponic. I use it in regular plastic pots and wooden baskets. I never had a problem with any of the orchids not adjusting to it. It doesn't rot like bark, is reuseable, allows plenty of air to the roots and wicks moisture to the plant over a fairly short period of time. Hard to overwater with it but you probably will have to adjust your watering schedule and water a little more. You won't have to repot with Hydroton (leca) until the plant outgrows the container. It doesn't rot or break down so replacing bark all the time is history. It feels dry and rough - it's clay or clay aggregate. Great stuff.

[nheidar]

Thanks for the info! I was really worried it felt too dry. I'm excited to see the results!!

[Brooke]

Your hydroton on top will always feel and look dry except on the days you flush the pot. Sitting in the water the hydroton wicks up the moisture.

Brooke

[jerrymeola]

hydrotron holds exactly 8% water so the evaporation on top will always feel cool and not noticeably wet.

Remember since it is a sterile medium you need to feed your plants regularly. There is no natural source of food for the plant.

[Ray]

Natasha, let me throw in a couple of suggestions:

1) Get the rocks out of the tray. If your intention is to grow in semi-hydroponic culture, then the bottom part of the medium in the pot needs to be submerged at all times. Having rocks in the pot effectively reduces the volume of the reservoir, as anything below the tops of the rocks adds nothing.

2) Your description of your watering technique sounds like you're only refilling the tray, when you should be watering heavily from the top to saturate the medium, redissolve any precipitated solids, and refresh the reservoir.

Jerry - I've never worked with Hydroton, but either your numbers are way off or it's a terrible medium. All of the brands of LECA I have tested held between 55% and 60% of their dry weight in water.

[sunshine]

I agree with Ray on taking the rocks out of the tray. I have just recently switched over all my water hogs to s/h and their all very happy. Putting out new roots like crazy. I use those round clear plastics bowls you get in the garden centers for my reservior and use the regular plant pots with the holes in the bottom and so far it is working well. I only fill the reservior about half full. This will llast 1-2 weeks. Then when it's time to refill I take the whole thing to the kitchen sink and flush the pot and rinse out the reservior. I use a very weak of fertilizer. Shultz 10-15-10. The top will look and feel dry. I donot use spag on the top of mine. My thinking is it will allow the plant and roots to breathe.

So far this method is working very well for me.

[nheidar]

Thanks for all the advice, everyone! I've been watering the orchids (not just the trays) everyday because I've been afraid of them getting dry, and they look happy so far.

Now that I have all your advice, I will take the rocks out of the trays and only water when the trays are close to empty (though I will err on the side of watering since I know that I cannot overwater orchids in LECA).

I am curious about the 8% vs. ~60% water holding capabilities. But, if Hydroton works for others, then I imagine it can't be too bad.

Thanks again, everyone!

[Rivka]

i think you need to read a bit more about s/h growing and decide if you are just using hydroton as a medium like bark would be used or if you are doing s/h as a water and feeding culture.
both methods have worked for folks, i personally do the s/h culture and love it.

if you are doing s/h then you need there to always be water in the bottom, it continually wicks up. i think it will eventually stress out the roots that will end up growing down near or into the water since they are there because they like the wet. and are used to it since that is where they grew.

if you are going to use normal pots and just trays, then two things to think about, do you best to keep the water level relatively consistent so that the roots life is also relatively consistent. and make sure there is enough of the bottom the the hydroton in the water for it to wick up to the rest. yes the top usually feels dry.

secondly , if you share trays, you are also sharing any pests and diseases that a plant has with the rest in the tray. that is why many folks have a tray or outer pot for each plant.

[Rivka]

Originally Posted by jerrymeola

hydrotron holds exactly 8% water so the evaporation on top will always feel cool and not noticeably wet.

Remember since it is a sterile medium you need to feed your plants regularly. There is no natural source of food for the plant.

no idea where you got the 8% not to mention the "exactly" bit, but i'm guessing this is very off the facts

but yes yes yes about the food, very important in s/h. feed weekly, weakly 3 out of every 4 weeks, flushing very very well on the 4th week. i personally flush first feed second when i water my s/h pots. to get rid of the buildup and plant "poop" before giving it fresh food

[berkeleysgr8]

I've generally had good luck with having plants in Hydroton. I've done it in containers with holes drilled 1+ inches from the bottom (where the hole is drilled depends on the overall size of the container and plant) and in regular pots that sit in an external container which acts as the reservoir. Both will work, once you figure out the proper watering schedule. Most orchids will eventually send roots down into the reservoir water once they're established. When that happens most plants seem to be really take off! Good luck!

[nheidar]

Just thought I'd update everyone -- All the plants that have been in s/h for about 2 and a half months now are LOVING it -- growing new growths, new roots, and full pseudo bulbs like crazy.

I will switch almost all of the rest of them to s/h over the next week or so (most of them have new growths right now since it's spring).

My only problem is that I forget to fertilize regularly -- but right now I'd say they look like they're on hormones. Let me know if you have any questions about my orchids in s/h, as I feel quite comfortable with it now!

[kmarch]

Thanks for the update. It's always good to hear the success stories! Well done!

[orchids4me]

Originally Posted by nheidar

Just thought I'd update everyone -- All the plants that have been in s/h for about 2 and a half months now are LOVING it -- growing new growths, new roots, and full pseudo bulbs like crazy.

I will switch almost all of the rest of them to s/h over the next week or so (most of them have new growths right now since it's spring).

My only problem is that I forget to fertilize regularly -- but right now I'd say they look like they're on hormones. Let me know if you have any questions about my orchids in s/h, as I feel quite comfortable with it now!

Hello nheidar, what type of orchids are you growing this way currently? Just asking because your thread has encouraged me to try this out also .... Having problems with phals lately
Thanks
Emmaye

[nheidar]

Hi Emmaye,

Here is a list of what I have had in s/h for 2.5 months; unfortunately, many are NOIDs:

- Phal Equestris (and its keiki; both are doing great)
- Phal Zuma's Pixie
- Pot Little Toshie
- Catt NOID small (one of my first orchids; got it in a mesh bag from Lowe's and was doing very poorly until I put it into s/h)
- Spider Orchid NOID (not sure of its genera even; haven't seen its live blooms yet; 4 new pseudobulbs since i switched it and all are very plump)
- Dend. NOID small (i've seen considerable plumping of its existing pseudobulbs and two new growths)


I just switched another 7 or so to s/h yesterday. I can keep you posted about them if you'd like.

Natasha

[NewBloom]

Please keep us updated and post pictures if you can. I've been reading up on LECA and s/h culture and your story is very encouraging.