SH decision

[J Fortuna]

Dave, Ray, and Diana, Thank you for your welcome back--although I may not really be back, since my life is very busy nowheredays, so I am not sure how often I will be able to visit, and I may unfortunately drop off the rgo horizon again.

Regarding Ray's advice that I switch to SH to help with my watering as a chore problem. I did at some point get two SH pots, and I tried one of them, so far. I chose an orchid (cochleanthes amazonica) that was not doing well in the hope that SH would help it, but unfortunately the cochleanthes did not make it despite this attempt. I know that SH was not the cause of its demise because as mentioned it was not doing well even before, and I guess all this proves is that SH is not a miracle cure for all that ails. I still have one used SH pot, and am thinking of trying it. The plant that I am most interest in trying it with is a Phrag Ecua-Bess because I know that phrags like this one prefer more water and I have been remiss in watering it often enough. However, this phrag is now also not doing well, and I fear that if I put it in SH and it does not make it, I may wind up thinking that SH just does not work for me, which part of me knows is completely faulty reasoning because in both cases the orchids attempted in SH will have been ones that were limping already. However, I am not really sure that I want to try an orchid that is doing well in its current medium because if I did that, and then the plant took a turn for the worse after all, I would feel guilty that I had switched it to a completely new medium when it had been doing so well in the old medium. See what I mean? So I have a dilemma here, on the one hand I am much more willing to try experimenting with SH with a plant that is not doing well already, but on the other hand I know that the results of such an experiment may well reflect more on the ailing plant than on the success of SH.

Any thoughts in response?

Joanna

[Ray B]

Hi, Joanna.

First, you're right, semi-hydro culture is NOT a miracle, it's just a different way of growing that has some simplifying aspects.

Trying to use it to save an ailing plant is not really a very good idea, as putting a stressed plant under more stress (adapting to the entirely new conditions) is the direct opposite way to go. However, if the phrag is suffering because of underwatering or insufficient air to the roots, it still might be worth a try.

Generally, I recommend moving a plant to S/H culture when it is starting to form new roots. That way, the new roots can grow tailored to the new environment, and support the plant while the old roots fade away.

If you have plants that have a dormant period, they can be transplanted then too, but I recommend against watering until you see new growth break out.

[J Fortuna]

Ray,

LOL!

It may come as a shock to rgo-regulars, but I have not exactly been paying attention to when my orchids start to form new roots. My general approach on the subject of roots is as follows: If the plant is in a transparent pot and I can see oodles of roots, then I have warm thoughts about them. If there are aerial roots, I enjoy them and try to get them wet as well when I water the plant. If the orchid is in a non-transparent pot, I kind of assume that there are enough roots in there, unless/until the plant is unstable and wobbly or doing very poorly and thus I start to suspect that there may be problems with the roots. In the very occasional once-in-a-blue-moon occasion when I repot an orchid, I trim away dead roots. If I see the beginnings of a root on a Phal around the time when it is time for it to spike, I look at it to check whether it is a spike after all and not a root. If the orchid falls onto the carpet and all the medium gets out of the pot, I stick the orchid and the medium back into the pot as best as I can, and I might glance at the roots then.

Other than that, I don't give the roots a second thought I am afraid. So you see I don't have a clue when orchids start to form new roots. And somehow I suspect that I am very unlikely to start paying more attention to the roots now. Sorry! Do I now get points off for being such a terrible orchid caretaker? Is this equivalent to being a parent and not noticing when one's child has a growth-spurt? I don't think so.

I hope that I won't shock too many of you when I admit that orchids are way lower on my priority list than my child, and that I have always found it very disturbing when anyone compares their orchids to being kind of like their kids ('chids as it were). In my book, they are just plants after all, even if they are gorgeous plants that bring us lots of enjoyment, but if there is very little time and something's got to give, there is no second thought in my mind that if the orchid care suffers, it is while unfortunate not the end of the world. And if I have very little time to take care of them, those orchids that survive best under benign neglect are now my absolute favorites.

My number one favorite orchid these days is a Phal Baldan's Kaleidoscope 'Golden Treasure' AM/AOS. I bought it at a Safeway grocery store a bit over two years ago. It grows in moss in a transparent pot with oodles of roots. It needs watering once a month--just does not dry out any faster. It lives in a north-facing window. It is in bloom for 10 to 12 months, and before it looses the last flower it starts a new spike again. It tends to have lots of pretty flowers when in bloom. It is currently in bud yet again both on an old spike and a new one. My only complaint is that the flower color fades over time, other than that it is the perfect orchid for me. Now if only my other 45 orchids were like that only in different colors, shapes, and sizes, that would be awesome. :-)

Joanna