First Attempt

[Sassismom]

What would you people that use S/H suggest be the best and least likely to lose orchid to try. Did that make any sense? I hope you all got my meaning. Oh and how many holes should I put for drainage? I have a cattleya, that I know has new root growth, because I can see them and it's kind of top heavy. It doesn't want to stand up anymore, it keeps tipping the whole pot over.

[Hummer344]

Put your cat in a decorative pot. Those are usually heavy enough that they won't tip over.

[articuno75]

I think I understand the question.

Catts don't do well with S/H. They get root rot very easily from this method.
Most Oncidiums and the Alliance can handle this. There are a few that can't. I've heard that Onc. Twinkle is one that is a no no for this. I have my Mtssa. Shelob in S/H and it's doing very well.

Phals seem to like this method. Also Neofinetias have been done in S/H as well. (My original Neos were in S/H and did really well. Until the "cleansing" from my daughter. )

The best way to try this method is to get a plant that you know can handle it or a cheapy NoID and experiment.

[Sassismom]

Ok, thanks, I guess I have a phal. that's not doing to well I could try with. I got my clay pellets today and am soaking them and I am dying to give it a try.

[tom499]

Apart from Tolumnia, which seems to have a cult stance of being impossible to grow in S/H, the only plants that won't particulary like it are those which lose their roots naturally for periods of the year, although I've heard that pleione do well in S/H

If you look at other threads in this section you will see all sorts of orchids in S/H growing very well.

Like growing in other media, you just need to strike a balance to give the plant what it wants.

Phrags will be kept wetter than paphs, Catts will be allowed to dry out abit like phals etc.

I've got a fair few different plants in S/H and all have shown strong root growth straight down to the water.

My best Cattleya was suffering till I put it in S/H where it was able to get the moisture it needed, and has now flowered.

[Sassismom]

I want so badly to try the catt. but I'm chicken, it's suck a nice big plant.
I can't find how to fertilize using the method, do I still just use my same fertilizer when
I water?

[Sassismom]

Here's my poor little phal. that I decided to use. Not a very good picture though.

[Sassismom]

Now my next ? how long before I can tell if it likes or dislikes this S/H? I know I can't be to impatient....a watched pot never boils sort of thing I guess.

[BillC]

Cheryl, when you put the phal in the container you should ensure that the roots where not too close to the water level. I'm sure you know that phals like it slightly more dry than other plants. As Tom has mentioned if the roots decide to grow down into the water it is because the plant has made the decision. Good luck with the phal.

Bill

[FLaCo]

Bill, is right you want to let the plant decide when it wants a drink. The pellets wick the water from the bottom and bring the water to the roots this way if the plants want more they dig dipper. Phals, love this environment because they never like to dry out completely between watering.

[jay]

I have to say that I have had better luck with Cattleya than Phals in S/H. Here is a picture of a Catt noid that I put into S/H one year ago. When I bought it from the Lowe's out of bloom discount rack it was in a 4 inch pot. It is not in an 6.5 inch pot and will soon outgrow it.

I couldn't wait to repot this one and moved it up a container while in spike. It still flowered and is in spike again for the 4th time in the last 12 months.

Phals can be tricky when switching over. Sometimes the old roots will all rot, so make sure there is active new root growth before switching.

[Sassismom]

Bill, I think I kept the roots far enough away from the water.
Jay that catt. looks amazing.