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.

--

Ray Barkalow - First Rays Orchids - www.firstrays.com
Plants, Supplies. Books, Artwork, and lots of Free Info!


"J Fortuna" wrote in message
newsCQ7j.5229$bW.1752@trnddc07...
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