GardenBanter.co.uk - semi-hydro pots

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- - semi-hydro pots (https://www.gardenbanter.co.uk/orchids/49773-semi-hydro-pots.html)

I like to use clay post just 'cause I like the look of clay.

I've been wondering about going semi-hyro with some of my plants.
I've switched a lot of my plants to a mix of primarily expanded clay
pellets with so far, so good results.

Would I achieve the same results if I set my clay pots into deep pot
saucers that would hold a reservoir of water as I would using the
plastic posts designed to hold the water?

bb

bb wrote:

I like to use clay post just 'cause I like the look of clay.

I've been wondering about going semi-hyro with some of my plants.
I've switched a lot of my plants to a mix of primarily expanded clay
pellets with so far, so good results.

Would I achieve the same results if I set my clay pots into deep pot
saucers that would hold a reservoir of water as I would using the
plastic posts designed to hold the water?

bb

Yes, although you would want to be careful to avoid algae and other
growth in the saucer, which is more exposed to light than the reservoir
of a pot. Dump them out occassionaly, and maybe bleach them when you do
it. You can also make nifty 'semihydro' pots out of yogurt or other
plastic containers (the dairy section is a good place to start). Just
burn or drill a few holes in them about 1/3 of the way up, with no holes
in the bottom. An old soldering iron in a very well ventilated room
works well.

If you wanted the best of all possible worlds, just put one of those
'semihydro' pots (or its recycled equivalent) into a slightly larger
clay pot. Bingo, you are back to the look of clay with the
functionality of plastic. Sometimes I amaze (and occasionally amuse)
myself.

Rob

--
Rob's Rules: http://www.msu.edu/~halgren
1) There is always room for one more orchid
2) There is always room for two more orchids
2a. See rule 1
3) When one has insufficient credit to purchase
more orchids, obtain more credit

I have a few Catt family orchids in this type of arrangement. They tend to
dry out faster that way, which is what I intended. I haven't seen any
disadvantage, other than the fact that my hard water leaves deposits on the
clay pots. RO water is not an option for me, unfortunately! :-(
--
Reka

I don't give a damn for a man that can only spell a word one way.
Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)
http://www.rolbox.it/hukari/index.html

"bb" schrieb im Newsbeitrag
...
I like to use clay post just 'cause I like the look of clay.

I've been wondering about going semi-hyro with some of my plants.
I've switched a lot of my plants to a mix of primarily expanded clay
pellets with so far, so good results.

Would I achieve the same results if I set my clay pots into deep pot
saucers that would hold a reservoir of water as I would using the
plastic posts designed to hold the water?

bb

---
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You may also find that the clay pots - courtesy of the higher evaporation
rate and associated evaporative cooling - will allow you to grow cool-loving
species that you formerly couldn't.

The corollary to that being that your warmth lovers may not like it.

--

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

.. . . . . . . . . . .
"bb" wrote in message
...
I like to use clay post just 'cause I like the look of clay.

I've been wondering about going semi-hyro with some of my plants.
I've switched a lot of my plants to a mix of primarily expanded clay
pellets with so far, so good results.

Would I achieve the same results if I set my clay pots into deep pot
saucers that would hold a reservoir of water as I would using the
plastic posts designed to hold the water?

bb