Hydroponic orchids? Hmmm. That does sound like a big puzzle. Orchids are the quintessential aerated plant - meaning roots love air to extreme. Was this plant sold the way you have it, or did you introduce hydro yourself? Um - is the plant even in a hydro solution? If not, ask over at the orchid forum, but would love to hear what anyone here (hydro forum) has to say, if this is indeed a hydroponic orchid. Best wishes. -v

I have an orchid and the directions for watering are to soak it in it's clay pot and bark planting mix for 15 minutes once a week. They can totally drown if you overwater them. Onewebfoot is right on.

I'd just cite a couple links related to original question. But i've never seen talk of hydrorchids prior to this.

advertisement article about hydro orchids

another intro web page on topic

a search type page linking "hydroponic orchid" information sources - probably all commercial.

So if someone puts orchids in an ebb/flow system (for example), does one put the timer on once-a-week flood/drain cycle? hmm. Otherwise, it's hard to envision an orchid plant liking DWC, for example. Does anyone have a link with actual pics of hydro orchids?

This is the best example of what vagcel is talking about, that I can find:

"transplanting an orchid to hydro"

The instructions say to water once in awhile - by hand. the only thing "hydroponic" about this entire discussion, that I can see, is they use clay balls (aka hydroton) for the orchid. But I guess this is "hydroponic" nowadays.... VAgcell - your orchid sounds like it's suffering from massive fertilizer overload. check with orchid forum. -v

Hi Vagcel,
I have heard of orchids being propagated by hydroponic means, but orchids are epiphytes and live attached to the bark of the tree on which they live. They are not parasitic, but apparently feed on whatever rainwater washes their way, be it leaf mould or just wind borne particles, some of which apparently contain nutrients.

Plant nurseries sell Orchid Bark Mix which is mainly partly composted pine bark, intended for growing orchids in pots or hanging baskets. They also sell Orchid fertilizer which is intended to be applied about every three months or so.

So, there is no need to "keep it in water" ... just a light misting should do the job about every two weeks.

I can visualise how to "start orchids" hydroponically, until they are big enough to pick out and "transplant" into a bark medium ... but cannot visualise how to grow orchids to maturity in a conventional hydroponic system.

I have been growing vegetables since the early 1970s in coarse sand. Please have a look at my web site from Australia.

Cheers,
Jimr007
Australia.

Here is a link that might be useful: Simple Sand Hydroponics

Vagner,

I read a bit about growing orchids in semi-hydroponics with a baked clay medium.

Looks like roots shouldn't be in water at all. there should be just a bit of water with weak fertilizer on the bottom of the pot - and it gets to the roots by wicking action. So you need to get rid of the water in your pot. And the medium should dry totally before you add more water.

Dendrobium is a medium to bright light requirement orchid - so let's say 2000 footcandles - no way it will survive in a dark. Bright window - that's where it goes. East, west, if it south or south west window - you should have a shear curtain to reduce the light.

But the way you describe it - you are drowning it. The absence of light wouldn't not damage it that fast.

Good luck

Irina

PS search for the First Rays Orchids site