Another semi hydro question

[Gilda]

I took the plunge a few weeks ago and started converting some of my known keepers..phals & paphs into SH. I had hydroton on hand, so that is what I used. Nothing skipped a beat...I even changed several that had buds /blooms. I am seeing new root growth and new growths are emerging.
I used all my hydroton, so a friend gave me some Prime Agra which was cleaned & soaked , so I jump in a do a few more. I am not seeing any wicking of the water and have had leaves go limp on plants ! I am having to water every other day ! What gives ? I thought PA was suppose to be the best wicking ???? sooooooooo confused ! Help !

 

[Bob in Albany N.Y.]

Personally, I don't think it matters a whole lot which product you use. I've used a couple of different ones and basically buy the one that I can locally no matter what the brand. When you first put them into S/H you can water ever few days to help get them adjusted. After that I water once every 5 to 7 days in my greenhouse. Yes, the reservoir goes dry. But if you dump those aggregate after 7 days, you'll see they are still moist.

 

[Gilda]

Thanks for your reply Bob. These seem to go dry in a day...the reason I know they are not getting water is they 'perk' up after I water them.. they were all showing new root growth before changing to SH.

 

[Heather]

Is it new or old Prime Agra, Gilda?
Sounds like old.

I haven't had that problem but my climate is quite a bit different from yours.

 

[Gilda]

It is the old Prime Agra...but cleaned & soaked for 2 days , so it should be "wet"...I do grow in the home and these cold days have really dried the air out..but still I thought it would not dry out that quick. These are qt size pots too !

 

[Heather]

Hm....Can you keep up the watering for a while and hopefully they will acclimate and you can back off?

Sorry Gilda. My first go w/ S/H didn't go that well either. I didn't move everything that time, and I freaked out when I had some issues with salt buildup. When I tried again, I just committed to it, and I haven't had any deaths yet. (knocking on wood). Maybe try giving it some time, if you can afford it.
That said, I do have a plant that, since I got it (in bloom, a HUGE plant) has gone a bit floppy. I'm not sure if it's the 40" leafspan or the fact that it was blooming when I put it in S/H that has caused that.

Alternatively, you could just get them out of there!

 

[Gilda]

Heather, I can keep up the watering since I see them everyday(the advantage of home growing)...or I might jerk them back out !! I can't stand failure !

 

[johnndc]

Are you noticing the water remaining in the reservoir, or is it disappearing (suggesting it's being used)?

 

[Gilda]

Are you noticing the water remaining in the reservoir, or is it disappearing (suggesting it's being used)?

The water is in the reservoir..not being wicked.

 

[Candace]

Gilda, you may want to water with some KLN to jump start those roots.

 

[Park Bear]

Personally, I don't think it matters a whole lot which product you use. I've used a couple of different ones and basically buy the one that I can locally no matter what the brand. When you first put them into S/H you can water ever few days to help get them adjusted. After that I water once every 5 to 7 days in my greenhouse. Yes, the reservoir goes dry. But if you dump those aggregate after 7 days, you'll see they are still moist.

Ditto Bob...this how I do things.

 

[IdahoOrchid]

Gilda, you may want to water with some KLN to jump start those roots.

But will KLN jump start the wicking action that is currently the issue being delt with?

 

[Candace]

But will KLN jump start the wicking action that is currently the issue being delt with?


Of course not...wish there was a rolling the eyes icon. But it doesn't hurt to get the roots growing better when switching over to s/h. If they grow quickly down into the media, it doesn't matter if it's not wicking as well.