So you're wicking it in the hydroton? I suppose that makes sense, though I'm still a little dark about how "Semi" hydroponics is supposed to work. In the regular hydroponics, we used ebb and flow, so no need for wicks.

I'm curious to see how this works! :-) May try it myself if I can figure out the mechanism. Some articles (mostly on Orchids by the way) on the semi technique also appear to use more of an ebb and flow anyway.

How's it supposed to work-really-with the semi system?

Thanks!

Best,
Judy

The way I "understand" it is supposed to be working, is that you use a container that is deep enough to allow a water reservoir at the bottom.

I burned holes into the sides of the two plastic containers, allowing for 1/2 to 1" of water at the bottom. The third is just a glass jar.

Removed all roots from the plants and planted them.

The only thing that may taint the "experiment" is that I used different varieties of violets.

Photo of the other two coming next...

These two are planted 'normally' using the hydroton as potting medium, with my usual mason twine as wicks.
The one on the right will be the only one that is domed. Unless the others turn floppy.

Cross your fingers ;-)

Karin

First result: the domed one died. it rotted.
I planted a pixie runaround sport in its place, no dome, and i just washed the roots, not re-rooting this one.

Karin

That's good to know, thanks Karin! Haven't started experimenting yet but will soon. Sorry about your plant!

Best,
Judy

My experience has been that it is fine to leave the roots on the plant - just try to get all the SOIL off the roots. As long as the soil is gone, the roots will adapt.
Enjoy. I personally have found hydroculture to be the most reliable way for me to grow violets.

i wick my violets, but i found that keeping them wicked with water in reservoir AND domed makes them rot. especially when they are young. the mature ones hold up much better, but after 2 weeks domed they start showing some rotting leaves too. IF i keep them domed after that, they might rot entirely.
so i think it would be best to rehydrate the hydroton for like 10 min, to make sure it absorbed enough water and after that drain it well, leave it for a few hours to drain down and then dome the plant for like a week. then repeat..until you got roots going which should be within 2 weeks.

Interesting. I chose to some one other, but it has hole in the side of the pot and that seems to make a world if difference. The others are alive and rooting, or so it seems....

side slits in the pot would probably dry clay pellets faster. the ones for orchids can def be used. but in general it seems to me that very little moisture is required to keep domed plants going. after 1 large 10" plant totally collapsed on me (i found a good sized sucker on the side, luckily, that remained ok), i made sure to do the following: water plants just moderately from the top, wait sev days keeping them open to allow soil to dry up somewhat (i have 50% perlite with mg av mix). and only after that i tented them. i did not have to water at all. 2 weeks fine. i pulled them out now and there is still moisture in the soil for probably 1 more week.
the reason i had to tent, i was experimenting with fumigation with moth ball flakes against thrips (it worked for other plants for me very well) - but that's another story all-together ...sigh.
i also found that when i root suckers in perlite they can stay in totally dry perlite for weeks (completely enclosed under dome), while there is still some very light condensation visible on the lid.
so i would think you need very little moisture for rooting: just high humidity between the pellets will do it. and of course the dome too.

Sooo, i was repotting and decided the hydroton experiment was taking up too much space. i tipped out little coral (nearly rooted, and the babies in the sour cream container (they were actually clinging to the pellets). which leaves me with the red noid optimara, pixie runaround sport and little crystal left in the running. they all seem to be doing just fine.
I am noticing more of the white fuzzies on the hydroton, than on the soil, but that could just be because it is easier to tell.

next to go will be the seedlings, though it pains me to toss them when the first ones are starting to show flower buds...

Karin

White fuzzies???

Mold.

I do semi hydropinics also, wrapping sponge around the violet and put perlite to fill up the pot. It blooms nicely for now.

could we see a picture?

sponge? that's a new one! so sponge wicks the water up? how does it stay wrapped? and do you first root the violet? and are the roots in perlite then inside the sponge 'pot'?

I grow Ness' Angel Face sport with a sponge for hydroponic use in a 1.5 inch Oyama planter pot, there is a pre cross cut at the center on the sponge as shown in the picture. Then I filled up on the sponge with just perlite.

Another picture, I used hydroponic cup, growing semi miniature violet wrapped in a sponge with perlite as well.

so you use a sponge and perlite no soil . can't see the cut in the sponge ?