Hi,

I'm looking into S/H, what it really means and how it is done.
I noticed from the photos which depict plants in S/H that the pots are most of the time clearly higher then wider. I suppose the reason for that is that one wants to provide enough growing media that is not underwater all the time, so the roots stay moist and not socked. Now for my question. Is there a rule-of-tumb to tell which pots are suitable for S/H in aspect to ratio of 'under water':'above water' (= 'below the holes':'above the holes')?

Thanks,

RZu.

Rob,

I have been using the S?H methodology with varying amounts of success for the last several years. As for pots, I have used everything from deli containers to milk jugs. The easiest is to use regular pots with a deep saucer/bowl that they sit in. Keep the saucer/bowl full of water and the water will wick up.

I have had great success with phals in S/H. Phrags apparently do well in it. I have had problems with Paphs in it. For the first 6 months to a year, they do great but after that, I have had terrible problems with root rot and extreme decline in the condition of the plant. It may have been my situation, but one should still keep an eye on it.

Hi Rob

I have been using S/H for a little over a year. the plants I have put into it love it. I learned everything about S/H culture here http://www.firstrays.com/ It worth checking out


Dave

I've used S/H on Phrags, a couple of Zygos, my two Psychopsis, and now most of my Paphs plus a couple of other plants. So far, almost all are doing well. I'm letting the Paphs go dry before I fill the well again because I'm concerned about over-watering them. Same is true of the Psychopsis. Although the Zygos did well in it, I've decided that for them I like a coco-fiber/pearlite mix.

For containers, I've used everything from transparent plastic glasses (of various sizes) from the grocery store, to deli containers to clear plastic waste baskets -- all depending on the size of the root system. I don't know of a formula for height vs. depth, but I tend toward fairly deep containers for the reason you gave. I don't suppose transparency is necessary, but I like it because I can see what is going on with the roots.

I think one of the keys to a good transfer from one mix to S/H is that the roots must first be healthy. If they are not, the S/H system will probably kill them.

Dave is right about FirstRays having a wealth of information.

Dot

I have just about my entire collection 250 (plus or minus a few) in SH, and almost without fail they all love it, I get my supplies from:

http://www.growinhydro.com/

I espically like the rectangular containers as they make the most out of your space.

I would highly recommend that if you go to SH do a couple of tests, by filling a pot with Prime Agra put the water in, and then see how long it takes to wick out, once it has all wicked out, dump out the Prime Agra to see how wet it still is, I have found out that the Prime Agra will remain wet for some time after the visible water is gone from the bottom of your pots.

Good Luck and Happy Growing.

I use hydroton available here from a hydroponic store and I use 2 liter soda/pop bottles for pots, actually I use anything that comes in plastic as a container....orange juice, pretzels, deli containers, etc. I like S/H because I can water everyday if I want or go a week without any real consequences.

Thanks everyone for responding to my question.

I already worked my way through firstrays and have learned a lot from it. The pot hight was/is still something I will look further into. I mean I can use 'very high' pots to make sure that there is enough room for the roots without being constantly submersed, but I still have to make sure that the water can work its way up to the top of the medium.
But reading about others using almost every possible type of container makes me feel that are a lot of possibilities out there. I guess I simply have to do some experimenting to see what works best for me.

Thanks again.

All the best,

RZu.

Ron

Just a side note I have a phal in one of Ray's 6'' pots the root have grown all the way down to the bottom and are submersed in the water and they are not rotted one of my phrag's is doing the same thing. I think they adap to it.

Rob

From one Hollander to another.

We are known to be "Thrifty". You will not believe what different size deep containers you can find is a restaurant supply place. The prices are also in a "Hollander's" price range.

I also live near Holland Michigan, where the Dutch people founded the city of Holland many years ago, and it is still known as a Dutch community.

Gramdma

Hmmmmm

That explains your not asking why I call you Omi :)

Cheers
Stephan

Just to add my 2 cents here...

I started putting most of my paph/phrag collection into s/h about 2 months ago. I unpotted everything the other day to check on the roots. I wanted to make sure that nothing was turning to mush. After turning a few phals and other genera to mush, I'm paranoid like that. :unsure: But what Ihave found it that it makes a difference how you prep the medium, and how deep you pot the plant. I boil all my "rocks" (as my husband likes to refer to them), then I soak them in a solution with root stimulant (KLN or superthrive) for an hour or so. I also soak whatever plant I am potting in the same rooting solution. I make sure I don't have any roots potted in the reservoir when I put it in s/h. Those roots will turn to mush in a matter of days if you put them in there, at least all of mine have. Now if they grow into the reservoir on their own, that is OK. When I unpotted everything the other day I found very few mushy roots. Maybe 2 or 3 total on the 15-20 plants I checked on. I had two new fat roots coming out on my paph Vanguard. For my paphs I only fill the reservoir halfway up, and I see how long it takes for the plant to suck up that water. I tried filling the reservoir all the way and I felt it was taking too long to empty (10 days). Th prime agra I use stays wet even after the reservoir runs dry. For my phrags I fill the reservoir all the way up. I keep it full on my water lovers (like the Sorcerer) and I let it run out for a few days on my caudatum types before I refill it. I am certainly NOT an expert, but I have done a good job of figuring out what doesn't work for me. I hope this helps!

I have found that using empty single serving water bottles has been a perfect s/h container for my smaller plants. They are crystal clear and you can cut them as tall as you want. They are skinny enough to accommodate the smaller seedlings and plants. And they are super cheap. I just poked holes in the bottom about 1/2 inch up. Here is a picture:

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a93/tdrollo/2005_1204Image0002.jpg

Thanks for the practical advise.
The thing with the root-stimulante is something I read on several places dealing with S/H culture. I think it's certainly something to keep in mind when I start my trails.

RZu.

Stephan

I feel honored when you call me Omi. Thank you.

Grandma