Category Archives: Semi Hydrophonics

On Semi-hydroponics

Posted on August 5, 2016 by kennethijoy

I have been growing orchids now in semi-hydroponics for approximately 18 months, and have learned a lot.  There are a lot of positive aspects to the method — easy watering, seemingly less disease, good air to the roots — but … Continue reading →

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Adjusting the pH of my water

Posted on February 5, 2016 by kennethijoy

 I have tested the ph of my water several times.  As it comes out of the RO system, the pH is usually between 7.0 and 7.15.  According to orchidusa.com, orchid plants cannot take in nitrogen in the pH range of … Continue reading →

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My Repotting Exercise is Done

Posted on January 16, 2016 by kennethijoy

I have finished the repotting of my entire collection (those orchids collected before September 15th).  This was because I had over-fertilized my orchids and most of the LECA had too much salt and was poisoning the pot environment.  I soaked the … Continue reading →

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Insecticide — I finally did it

Posted on November 30, 2015 by kennethijoy

I finally decided that my bug problems were bad enough that I needed to take some stronger steps.  The bug problem started with my Dendrobium Victoria-Reginae, and has spread around the orchid room from the east-facing lower shelf to the west-facing … Continue reading →

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Systematic repotting of plants

Posted on November 23, 2015 by kennethijoy

Now that my watering system is complete, and working, I have started a systematic repotting of my plants.  In my orchid-growing infancy, I had been giving the plants too much fertilizer (probably twice as much as they should have), and … Continue reading →

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Two holes. Not one.

Posted on October 18, 2015 by kennethijoy

I exchanged email with Ray Barkalow last week, about my over-fertilizing problem, and he emphasized flushing of the pots at each watering.  After a little contemplation, I decided today to open up all holes on my pots.  Several months ago, I … Continue reading →

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On repotting into semi hydroponics

Posted on July 14, 2015 by kennethijoy

 I read a lot about moving plants into semi hydroponic media.  There are two schools of thought: to immediately move the plant into media once one receives it, or to wait for the plant to finish blooming before moving it. … Continue reading →

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Monday Morning Bath

Posted on July 13, 2015 by kennethijoy

I give my orchids a “bath” on Mondays, where I fill all the S/H containers to the brim and let them drain.  This is part of the semi-hydro culture, where the plant is watered, and the “poisons” that collect in … Continue reading →

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