Hi Donna,

I heard from other folks and from my own observations that the salts in the fertilizers tend to form a crust around the seramis that the roots may not appreciate. I would think you would have to water much more often to help flush out the salts and keep the hydrated, especially during our unpredictable summer (like the drought last year). You have so many to experiment with, so definitely try it out and let us know how it's doing.

Fred

Thanks Fred, maybe I'll just try it on one pot and keep it in the house. I haven't done it yet...I'll have to find the stuff first.

Hi Donna,

I have a whole bunch of the expanded clay aggregate stuff that's pretty much like seramis and I can send you some if you like.

Fred

Thanks but I read that the best stuff comes from Germany. I'm going to look around first and do more reading before I actually buy some or try it. But thanks!!! You've never tried it, (?) why did you buy it, for orchids?

Hi Donna,

I actually have my Worsleya seedlings growing in it with a mixture of pumice and fine orchiata bark but I forgot I where bought it. I do remember that I got it in large bags and I currently use it in the pebble trays for humidity for my orchids and other plants. They seem to like it :-)))))

Fred

Hi Donna,

I did not use Seramis but smaller clay granules to try Semi-Hydro on two of my bulbs. I used clear pots that don't have holes in the bottom but 2 cm above the bottom. I watered from above and there was a water reservoir at the bottum where the roots could grow. I used a fertilizer for Hydroponics because I read that if there is any organic matter in the fertilizer it will cause rot. In the beginning it worked really well for me, I could see lots of white roots sprouting. Actually I think it saved the bulbs from rotting this time. The problem is that roots sometimes die and the dead roots are organic matter that stays in the pot and I think it caused more roots to rot. It's also true that the fertilizer salts may accumulate on the granules but you can wash this out. I still have one bulb growing like that but I plan to replant it after it has flowered. The good thing is that the pot doesn't tip over because of the heavy granules. I use the granules now as part of my potting mix (together with coco coir and Vermiculite and I'm very happy with that mix.

This bulb (Gervaise) still seems to be quite happy growing like that. I noticed that the other (Exotica) did not use the water anymore and when I looked at it almost all the roots were rotten but the basal plate still looked good. I replanted it in my normal potting mix and it's growing new roots now...

There was also a discussion here about Semi-Hydro some years ago: http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/1761965/semi-hydro-for-hipps?n=29

I hope I could help :-)

Anja

Thanks, Anja☺