I have been dying to try cultivation in semi-hydro for years, and a couple of months ago I finally went for it. I chose a few test subjects and so far the result has been overwhealmingly positive! Here is a status report:
- Paphiopedilum american hybrid in semi hydro 3 weeks… the roots have grown several cm – down into the water! Looks like it was thirsty…
- Same Paphiopedilum american hybrid after 6 weeks – a bud!!
- Phalaenopsis marbella after 6 weeks – a flower stalk is forming.
- Maxillaria variabilis (red) after 7 weeks – two new bulbs are forming. See this plant when first placed in s/h here.
- Maxillaria variabilis (red) same plant after 8 weeks – a bud!
I have a few concerns about the leca accumulating salts over time and eventuially harming the plants since I do not use R/O water. I am using the condensed water from the dryer with 10% tap water so the pH does not dip too low (thanks for that tip Berrak), but I am still keeping a close eye on my test subjects to see when I have to replace the medium.
[...] This wonderfully showy Paphiopedilum American Hybrid is blooming now. From the impressive coloration I bet you can find at least one parent in the Subgenus Paphiopedilum, not unlikely from gratrixianum. The big and glossy glower is a joy to behold and a real treat only about 3 months after transferring this plant into semi-hydro leca. You can see the amazing response I got only 3 weeks after the move in this post. [...]
Hi Karma,
Just wondering, how is the condition of your paphio in semi hydro now? Is it still doing good?
Regards & thanks,
kks
Hi Kks. I actually moved the Paphiopedilum out of semi-hydro a few months ago. Actually, I have transplanted all of these initial experiment plants into other mediums since. Not because they were doing bad, but because I did not like the medium I had chosen. The leca is too light. Everytime you water (I dip mine) the medium floas and it was a great pain in the neck to make sure the plant was not dislodged… I placed the Paphiopedilum in regular bark mixture after that, mainly because I have read about people having trouble with Paphs in s/h, although mine had been doing really good… I still have a few other plants in s/h still but where I use leca with a top layer of 1/3 volcanic rocks, or just straight volcanic rocks. My Phragmipediums, and a Prosthechea cochleata for example – they are doing great in 100% volcan s/h. I like that medium much better. It holds a lot of water, wicks moisture better and does not float. But it is also denser and rather heavy, so for some I mix in a few leca for better airation.
Hi karma, Im ken from the Philippines. I’ve been rreading some reviews about semi hydro phonics, is it really good for phalaenopsis? i’m quite hesistant. i bought 5 phals in sphagnum moss.. Please give me a feedback. thanks =D
Hi Ken, I think you can grow most things in semi-hydro, but some species/genus definitely do much better than others. I have one Phalaenopsis in s/h, and it is doing great, but after my initial experimenting, I only really keep Phragmipedium in semi-hydro using lava rocks (I do not use leca anymore for several reasons). Phragmipedium is especially well suited for this since they prefer to keep their feet wet. Phalaenopsis like to dry up a bit in between watering so I think they do best in just medium coarse bark, nothing else mixed in.