I took the Plunge!

[myorchid]

I wanted to try some of my plants with hydroponics, so I ordered some hydroton from Jerry and it came today.

I put these plants in a glass container with hydroton and worm tea.

Paphs:
Faunus
lowii

Phals:
NOID
Doritaenopsis Anna-Larati Soekardi

I am also going to put two other Paph in hydro but they are at my office so will have to wait until tomorrow.
It will be:
Hideki Okuyama
sukhakulii x Oriental Spice

I like the look of them. I hope they will grow well with the method. Here is a group shot.

[solay]

April they look great but where's the holes? I thought they needed drainage holes. I just have the one Jay sent me. If this works out for you, I may be tempted to try more too.

[myorchid]

No drainage holes, hydroponic. I don't have water all the way full, just a couple of inches.

Excited to see how it does.

[patticake]

That's exciting! I thought there were supposed to be holes about an inch up the sides as well. I've never done S/H though. I'm still thinking of diving in also... Keep us posted! I'll get brave one of these days!

[butt0n]

Very interesting...seems like a lot of you guys are trying hydro. I'm not sure if I'm quite brave enough yet! Let us know how it turns out.

[jerrymeola]

The holes on the side of of plastic pots for hydroponics are to limit how high the water can be filled. There is no such limitation when you use a glass vase.

This requires that you check the level when watering. Since it is clear it is not very hard, but it is important that you fill as if there were holes to limit the water to whatever height you chose.

You do not want to be erratic in watering where the lowest roots are sometimes under water. So just keep the water to under a maximum height and you have the same effect as holes at that height. A little more attention when watering is required but not very difficult.

[brit6v]

Hi!
I think your orchids look very nice in your glass containers and I've been wanting to try a "glass container method" myself with one of my orchids (I use the traditional S/H plastic containers with holes near the bottom). I've been reading about Vandas in empty glass vases, but didn't know about the method you are using with hydroton in a glass vase. This is interesting. Would it work for Vandas, since their roots need to "ramble" freely....do they "ramble" through the hydroton? Another question: Since there are no drainage holes in the glass vase, and since one is supposed to fill the container to the top at each watering, rather than only top off the reservoir....how do you drain the excess water (leaving, of course, a small amount in the bottom)? With either method, I assume you just turn the container upside down and let the water drain out, but now that I read about your "hydroton in a glass vase" method, how do you keep the hydroton balls from rolling out if you do indeed drain excess water by turning the vase upside down?

Thanks in advance very much for your help....and I certainly would appreciate input from other members, as well.
Vicki

Originally Posted by myorchid

I wanted to try some of my plants with hydroponics, so I ordered some hydroton from Jerry and it came today.

I put these plants in a glass container with hydroton and worm tea.

Paphs:
Faunus
lowii

Phals:
NOID
Doritaenopsis Anna-Larati Soekardi

I am also going to put two other Paph in hydro but they are at my office so will have to wait until tomorrow.
It will be:
Hideki Okuyama
sukhakulii x Oriental Spice

I like the look of them. I hope they will grow well with the method. Here is a group shot.

[myorchid]

Vicki

Welcome to the forum!

I only keep water about 2 inches from the bottom, I do not fill it all the way to the top. When the water needs to be refilled it is only to 2 inches up.

So far they are doing well and looking healthy. I don't know how it would work with Vandas as they have lots of roots.

If I need to flush the hydroton out I will fill it full of water and let it overflow, then dump out water so it is again at 2 inches from the bottom.

I hope this helps! Good luck with yours.

[jerrymeola]

A couple of problems that have arisen over time with this method.

Plants have a tendency to shift in the container when moved. This rubs the roots on the rocks. Try be to gentle.

The holes in the side of the pots did allow a little air circulation which is not present with this method, so good air circulation over the top of the plant should be maintained. (but all plants do better with good air circulation)

[jay]

April - I am glad to see that you are flushing them out. If you do not it will get a salt buildup that could be detrimental to your orchids. As Jerry pointed out the holes offer some air circulation, but also allow for easy flood and drain for flushing your roots.

I look forward to hearing updates.

[myorchid]

Jay

How often would you recommend that I flush them? I was thinking once a month but should I do it more often?

Thanks!

[Brooke]

I'm not Jay but the answer is yes.

Brooke

[myorchid]

Thanks Brooke!

[jay]

I would also keep an eye on the tops of the LECA. If you see a white buildup then you need to flush more often.

[brit6v]

Hi April! Thank you for the welcome.....I'm glad to meet you!

Thanks so much for the info.....I appreciate everyone's help!

Vicki

Originally Posted by myorchid

Vicki

Welcome to the forum!

I only keep water about 2 inches from the bottom, I do not fill it all the way to the top. When the water needs to be refilled it is only to 2 inches up.

So far they are doing well and looking healthy. I don't know how it would work with Vandas as they have lots of roots.

If I need to flush the hydroton out I will fill it full of water and let it overflow, then dump out water so it is again at 2 inches from the bottom.

I hope this helps! Good luck with yours.

[myorchid]

Thanks, Jay for the info. I did see a small white on the hydroton and flushed them out. I will keep an eye on it to see how often I should do that.

Vicki be sure to post pictures of your trial of hydroponics.