Donations Welcome

I am currently saving toward a new version of Paint Shop Pro. If you wish to help me out, then please donate.

Larger versions of images can be seen by clicking on the image. Also, thank you for your kind and encouraging comments. I love reading the comments. If you use my any of freebies, I would be overjoyed with a comment containing a link to your item. I love seeing any of my freebies in use.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Potting an Orchid into Semi-Hydroponic Culture

1.  Obtain lightweight expanded clay aggregates (LECA).  I use Hydroton.

2.  New LECA needs to be washed before use because there is clay dust which is bad for the orchid roots.  I use a colander and run water over the pellets until the water is clear.  Or, you can soak in a bucket.  It takes about 3 exchanges of water to get rid of all the clay dust.

3.  Get a container for the orchid.  In this photo, I am using a 16oz plastic drinking cup.  Drill or melt holes about 1 inch from the bottom of the container.  The holes should be about 1/8-1/4 in. in diameter. There should 2-3 holes.  I melt my holes with a hot nail headed on my gas stove.  This is not ideal as I inhale plastic volatiles when the cup melts, but I try to hold my breath while melting.  It will work better when I get a functional fume hood.

The container

2.  Make sure the orchid roots are clean and remove any bark or moss from the roots.  Remove any dead roots.  In this photo, the orchid was previously in S/H, so the cleaning has already been done.

The orchid

3.  Place the orchid in the container so that the base of the pseudobulb will be about 1/2 - 1 inch below the lip of the container.

Orchid in Container

4.  Fill the container with the clean LECA.

Fill Container with Hydroton

Full Container

Here is a view of the container from the top after it has been filled.

Top View of Full Container

5.  Fill the container to the top with water and let it drain out.  The orchid has been potted and I water once a week afterwards.