The perfect regulation of the water supply is a challenge when caring for orchids. By converting your flower divas to hydroponics, you elegantly avoid the problem of waterlogging and root rot. We will be happy to explain how this works.
Orchids can also be kept in water
materials and preparatory work
In order to successfully convert an orchid to hydroponics, please make a note of the following materials and accessories on the shopping list:
- Expanded clay (€19.73) with 8 mm to a maximum of 16 mm grain
- water level indicator
- Transparent hydroponic pot at least 11 cm in diameter and 15 cm in height
- Jacketed vessel for hydroponic plants
- Nutrient solution such as Lewatit HD 50
Please rinse the expanded clay several times until the water no longer turns brown. Then soak the clay balls (€22.65) for 24 hours, because when they are dry they would draw moisture from the roots.
Adjusting orchids to hydroponics - this is how it works
Please choose a date between mid-January and early May, when orchids let their fresh roots sprout. Repot the plant. Rinse off the old orchid soil completely with warm water. Cut off rotten and diseased aerial roots and dust the cuts with cinnamon. How to proceed:
- Fill the bottom of the pot with the soaked expanded clay up to a height of 3 cm
- Now attach the water level indicator
- Twist the substrate-free orchid in such a way that the root neck is a finger's width below the edge of the pot
- Fill in the remaining hydroponic substrate
Since the existing roots are still used to conventional orchid soil, they must not be submerged. Only later does the plant produce water roots that grow into the water. In the course of this transitional phase, you only fill in the water to a depth of 2-3 cm. Due to the capillary force, the moisture rises to the upper substrate levels. The water level indicator signals when it needs to be refilled.
Nutrient solution gives strength to orchids
Since the orchids now live in inorganic material, they are particularly dependent on regular fertilization. A special nutrient solution covers the need. For a small orchid, 1 teaspoon is enough, which you add to the water every 2 to 3 months.
tips
Broken expanded clay balls pose a danger to the sensitive aerial roots. The edges of the inorganic material are so sharp that they cut into the root strands. Therefore, please sort out any damaged beads before planting an orchid in hydroponic substrate.