Many of you ask me what I think of semi hydroponics and how do orchids do it this media. I will tell you why I prefer not using it and why I believe it’s not for me, based on my observations, environment and lifestyle.

Learn more about semi hydroponics http://firstrays.com/semi-hydroponic-culture/general-semi-hydroponics-information/semi-hydroponics-basics/

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Why growing orchids in semi hydroponics is NOT for me

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20 Comments

  • SomeOldGuy

    From my observation, the mechanism isn't that water from the bottom reservoir gets wicked to the top through the LECA beads. The beads are fired during manufacture, and that leaves them with a hard glaze both inside and outside. They absorb water very slowly, and since each bead only touches adjacent beads by a tiny little spot, they just aren't able to transfer water from bead to bead with any kind of efficiency. What they ARE good at is maintaining high humidity in the spaces between the beads. It's that humidity, maintained by the water in the bottom reservoir, that migrates around the roots via the gaps between the beads. I use the beads in clear plastic pots and so far it's been the most successful medium for me, but I'm curious about Seramis too, so that's next on my agenda. We have our big annual orchid show coming up next weekend, which will be a perfect time to talk to the local experts and see what they think about all this!

  • DanMartinParanormal

    Can I get the list and spelling of the Orchids which grow roots in water? I got a crazy idea for "a Beta-Fish system" and I got some research to do. Another Question: Do Orchids feed on the poop of animals, like fish/reptile/bird/amphibian/insect poop should the roots come into contact with it, either as a direct mass contact or as a water-soluble absorption? I'm thinking this because I am considering plants that would go into an Exotic Small Animals exhibit and set-up, and if strategically like in Aquaponics the roots could purify water that has waste matter in it? In basic idea, could aquarium water be used to water an Orchid, but on the other side of the concept could an Orchid water itself with Aquarium Water if I allowed its roots to grow into it? Could that then defeat the need to water-soak the roots on a regular basis entirely IF the Orchid is managing its own water intake, allowing it to dip its own roots into the aquarium at its own leisure? Think of it like an Orchid and a Bromeliad were neighbors on the same branch of a tree, and the Orchid grew a root to dip into the Bromeliad pond, sucking in all the frog and bug poop that came along with the water? Now substitute a Bromeliad with a Beta-Bowl, would the Orchid still behave the same, and survive on it? If it can, then I could begin to design a table-top ecosystem around that, implementing animals and plants together in a way that assists both.

  • Serg Griff

    And, Danny, thank you very much for finding time to answer me. It is not easy to find such a kind, polite and loving person like you. Thank you for helping others. You are a wonderful girl. I wish you happiness and an ocean of positive emotions from all of us.

  • Dionne Latham

    I have on phal in the hydroponic system and she loves it. In my experience with trying out different mediums, it works best with pellets designed for plant growing. I use the ones from First Rays. The other brands I've tried have been crap lol

  • Sarah Becker

    I am on the fence about Semi Hydro. It sounds like a great Idea. I don't know if it will work for me. I am trying it out on a division of a sherry baby that has lots of new growth. I also put Catt and 2 Phals in S/H. All plants I don't mind if I lose. I keep my plants inside most of the year but it is still cold here. In my home It is in the low 60sF / 15C . During the winter humidity is more. My summers are VERY dry.

    So thank you for all your info. I am going to give it a try because I love the IDEA of Semi Hydro. I am not sure about how it will be in practice. You gave me some good info that got me thinking. It also made me run and repot my Encyclia Cordigera back to a bark mix. I don't want to lose that plant.

  • Sleiman Houssam

    I agree with you MissOrchidGirl everyone has a his own life style and microclimate, I am using leca beads right now on phalaenopsis and I'm waiting for results, I'm keeping indoors though, wish me luck.

  • Cyntilla

    Question: I have a very similar environment (I live in Italy) compared to yours, but since I only have three orchids, I keep them in the house all year around. I noiced that the roots of the newest one are doing poorly since I repotted it in bark (it was in a very compact moss ball when I bought it): I can see they're becoming more and more dehydrated and the leaves are kinda limp. Do you think it'll adjust to the new media or maybe should I try semi hydroponics on it? Thank you!

  • Jens Luders

    I am not surprised that standing in water for weeks will make some orchid roots rot. However I believe the semi-hydroponic system is working differently, if implemented properly: with the proper expanded clay pebbles the water in the reservoir will quickly be soaked up by the pebbles and move to the top by capillary action, distributing the water throughout the pot. The water will be used by the plant and evaporate. The pot will be dry before the next watering and there will be no standing water for extended periods. The reservoir really mainly serves to dose the amount of water correctly during each watering.

  • Janari Rahu

    Obviously the roots don't like the water because they are not used to the humidity if you get new roots in the semihydro they can even go into the water and grow them bulbophyllums mostly will go into the water

  • Kati R.

    I just watched another video of someone potting a Phal from bark into hydroponics, and the same question came to my mind: what happens to the roots growing into the water… and yes, I agree, it ain't broken, don't fix it!

  • nicholaiulf

    Hello! I had the exact same experience as you with the leca not properly wicking, leading to both dry and rotted roots. I tried to figure out why I was having bad luck while others had wonderful success and my research came across this wonderful article: http://firstrays.com/semi-hydroponic-culture/sh-detailed-information/inert-media-comparison/

    I have since switched my s/h orchids into PrimeAgra and have tons of new growth and roots in my catts, oncidiums, phals, and even a few neos. I did however find that the transition is much easier when the orchid is putting out new roots, and soaking the PrimeAgra and orchid in KLN rooting hormone seemed to ease the transition.

    Please disregard if you were already using PrimeAgra instead of a generic leca, but hope this helps!!

  • حبيب المصطفى

    Update: I do not grow orchids in leca pellets anymore hhhh Only angraecums, but not in a s/h system, and I do because they seem to like it…I had to water more often all my orchids, and in the winter the bottom of the media was too moist, imagine this for catts… so no, not for me. I join the club of non s/h lovers hhhh

  • withoutpassid

    Thank you for a very informative video about S/H. I am not a big fan of S/H but there a few things I'd like to say.
    1) The fact that you have all of your orchids outdoor during winter time alone make it a terrible idea for S/H. As you said, cold temperature combines with constant moisture will definitely kill the roots.
    2) I already thought of what would happen when the roots reach the water reservoir before trying S/H. Finally, somebody (you) show the results. The solution is simply find something like a plastic net to prevent the roots penetrating into the water but still allow the capillary action.
    3) Besides problems you talked about, another messy thing with S/H is algae! Constant wet plus sunlight is a perfect condition for the algae to thrive. Many S/H grower experienced this. There are 2 solutions: a) covering the transparent plastic pots with non-transparent ones like what you are doing or b) adding trace amount copper (sulfate) to the water reservoir. Thanks to its anti-microbial activity, the copper will keep away not only the algae but also bacteria and fungi from you orchids.

  • bronze fennel

    Thanks! Your video was very informative. Wow! You have many orchids. Ha! I have only seven but I think I will follow your advice and stick with the wood chips. Have a great day!

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