Exploring Water Culture: Part One

[@laurafedora5385]

Michael, what I love about you is your willingness to push boundaries, and try new things. And your humbleness to admit when it’s not working for some plants and go back to more conventional methods. It’s always interesting to learn from your experimentation, keep up the great content and stay safe!

[@arlenepadden1243]

Such a nice person and so knowledgeable. Thank you Michael. On to water culture!

[@rongonzo5358]

Awesome video. I have transitioned all my phals to FWC and they love it. They were in semi-hydro before, and the transition was perfect. No root loss since they were already accustom to being wet all the time. I also have some Cats in FWC those are doing well also. What I love about FWC is that you do not need to worry so much about watering them, since they are in water all the time. So it gives you much time back. But transition from semi-hydro to FWC is extremely easy, now a new orchid to FWC is a bit more challenging, but just requires time and patience. One more thing, my orchids adjusted very quickly also since I live in Miami, so the temperature was in my favor too. So, once again, Thank you for another awesome video!!!!!

[@annierodenberg2327]

I’m stoked to give this a try. Thank you for sharing.

[@fernandobiggers62]

woww you are so entertaining and knowlegeable, you are a freaking treat!!! thanks for sharing you experiences with Orchids, xoxo

[@barbaravonmettenheim1409]

I had a cattleya that I accidentally nearly killed. I kept it bare rooted for about 3 months now watering it everyday. It put out 2 roots and now is putting out a new leaf!!! I'm so happy. I just potted it semi-hyrdo with sphagnum. I'm really excited to see it doing so well. Michael has given me so much courage to repot my plants and to examine their roots. Thank you Michael. And thank you all for you comments. You are helping raise beautiful orchids

[@christavincent7396]

I've had a few orchids and have been adding to my collection. I have moved a small one to full water culture in a vintage glass that seems to be very happy. I've left some of the roots above the glass which holds the plant above the glass. Lots of new root growth in the water. I enjoy your videos, thanks!

[@miamianz]

i finaly have an orchid last more than 3 months finally. as far as watching the roots a christmas cactus is amazing for water culture.

[@lisabroussardjanuska6774]

Raul Izquierdo really, Christmas cactus? Did you start it off slowly, or repot it quickly? I have one that gives me a bit of trouble. Can you detail how you went about introducing it, if you don’t mind sharing? I’d really be interested to learn, Raul!!

[@anisamohamoud2543]

THANK YOU so much for this video. A lot of videos on orchid water culture never directly tell you what it is and you did very well in this introduction thank you!!

[@amandinep.1315]

Very interesting. Can't wait to see the next videos about that subject !

[@permanentlytiredpidgeon4579]

Apparently I’m using this and had no idea 😂. I’ve been fighting with my very finicky phaelenopsis for 2 years in various bark mediums. Her leaves started to wilt and she was just unhappy. Out of desperation I had the idea that she likes her roots being able to breathe so I pulled her out of the bark cleaned up her roots and stuck her in water culture and she is SO happy now. New leaves, tons of new roots and a bloom spike!! Yay! Thank you for this video. Very informative for me to keep this method going. 😊

[@vavaspen]

The best, best videos and explanations ever!!! Lov u

[@plantreviewsuk1204]

great video. I was also thinking to convert my orchids from semi-hydro to full water culture, because the leca on the top layer dries up very fast and I had a few orchids whose new root tips were completely desiccated by the contact with dry leca

[@christiaanlunney9805]

Michael I love ALL your videos and I look forward to more on this subject...

[@abbeyjames6812]

Amazing video!!

[@jessicanabablit5402]

I also want to explore water culture to some of my orchids.. I love your set up with the glass pots and clear pebbles its so neat and simple yet it gives the orchids justice..

[@donnanaylor3424]

Hey Michael any updates on water culture?

[@lisabroussardjanuska6774]

This is my second vid of yours to watch, you’re amazing to listen and learn from...your honesty is astounding and appreciated! I really really enjoy watching you give out your experiences. Thank you so much!

[@broaddeb]

Great thoughts put to the reasons why to explore bare root growing. Most orchids growing in semi-hydro convert themselves to full water culture as they happily send their roots down to hangout in the reservoir. 😉

[@carmaela2689]

This doesn't just work for orchids. I had a sad, sad spider plant. It hated the soil it was in. Not sure what the nursery did to it but it was dying. I removed it from the pot, washed off all the dirt and put it in a bottle with water covering just the bottom 1/4-1/3 of the roots. It perked right up. It hated the moisture of the soil but loved this method. It's roots got so healthy and then after a few months I was able to move it to a pot with good fresh soil and it's doing so much better.

[@lauramazzinovilleneuve2276]

Thanks for posting. Ì saw this method when I lived in Belgium and how successful it was but I never had the nerve to try it. Very useful!

[@jenxu2]

Thank you so much for your informagive videos. I only have 2 orchids so far. the semi-hydro is working for me.

[@barbarabachner4078]

Hello Michael. I discovered your channel yesterday and am very favorably impressed with your knowledge after having watched 10 or so of your videos. I'm an African Violet lady but would like to try some orchids, specifically the water culture method. However, I find the roots unattractive to look at so I wonder if I can safely set the clear glass vase inside an opaque vase so I won't be looking at the roots except when I want to check the condition of the roots. Thank you so much!.

[@chowfun1976]

What are you doing about air movement and circulation ?

[@sunyongkim7502]

Today first time Very much I like 👍 For learning

[@steveortez2613]

I’ve been following you for a long time and I have a solution for temperature of the water in cold climate I put a a submersible digital aquarium heater in the water sump where all my orchids are and share the same water I use distilled water with and change it when needed based on the orchid this stops the temperature in the water from fluctuations if the water gets to cold the heater turns on to the desired temperature if it gets to hot it turns off

[@ryanmetzler2211]

Wow Michael! So funny you are bringing this up...I recently discovered that 2 of my phals have grown themselves into full water culture. I have them setup in a self watering pot and roots grew out of the slits in the pots into the water reservoir. The top media is leca, and I would say that these phals are doing THE best out of my whole entire collection. The roots grow LIKE CRAZY being in water 24/7 and half of that root is in the leca media. I would totally recommend doing water culture with any orchids that do not necessarily need a full dry in between watering...Oncidiums, phals, bulbos, some dendrobiums. Good luck!

[@stephaniecreasman2387]

I was wondering what you have in the bottoms of the containers. Id like to use something like that with my orchids

[@rheron814]

Soooooo, I give my phals bark with pronounced wet/dry periods. They are in terra cotta pots with vertical slits. I let them get 80% dry, then set the pot in a bowl with water filled 2/3 the way up. I leave it overnight, then throw away the water and allow it to dry out for 5-10 days depending on how quickly she dries. I have rehabbed a half-dead freebie to the point she is blooming again! Phals are tough though.

[@j.d.8075]

Michael describing water culture... mental image... wet seasons and monsoons in the tropics... plants don't get a choice about water culture when the rain is measured in meters.

[@purnacherla1177]

Hi Micheal, what are those clear crytals in your water culture containers.

[@Kamoopsipooh1990]

Is there a part 2? I can't find it.

[@rachelkillcare5203]

I did water culture on phals for nearly three years. I just put my last one back in bark last week. Full water culture does not work long term, short term the plants look good, flower and go well but then suddenly after years go down hill and start to die. Semi water culture is different it is really just like having a mounted orchid but is such a pain as I don’t like watering multiple times a week, bark lets me water once a week even for my Phragmipedium, watering loving orchids. It is a great method to get roots to start to grow however. I’d love to hear of someone who has done full water culture more than three years successfully. I would bet there is no one.

[@barbaravonmettenheim1409]

great distinction. It really is about watching them and learning what they want and need, isn't it.

[@daniellesorchidranch1591]

I’ve been growing in water culture over 3 years. Over 100 plants of all different types and they are still happy so I’m happy.

[@lisabroussardjanuska6774]

Danielle's Orchid Ranch - and Danielle has an extensive collection!

[@elizabethdasigan4001]

I know Danielle Orchid Ranch is growing water culture for 2 yrs or more & have been following her since I started swc. I think she’s successful in this growing method.

[@dekoabd829]

What is the kind of bubbles u are using please...thank you

[@johannadelacerda5585]

Hi Michael, I am enjoying your videos. I wanted to convert one of my phals to water culture. How often do you change out the water with full water culture? Thank you!

[@ThePitasha]

What are these pebbles on the bottom of the glasses? How often do you clean them? Sorry, if I missed this info in the video! They composition with them looks awesome

[@jenxu2]

looks like glass beads. I have seen them at dollar tree or Walmart.

[@pinkbeautytwinkle]

Very clear explanation!

[@JB-rk9vs]

Where do you find glass jars with holes?

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Right here! michaelsorchids.com/growing-containers/glass-growing-containers

[@DuyNguyen-lo2mm]

What is the difference between semi and full water culture? I see the semi has more contact to water surface vs full water only half of it roots are somerged which the other half can still uptake oxygen from the air.

[@brendaivelisse99]

Do you add any vitamins in the water?

[@renatecormick7399]

Michael, I was trying to see what’s in the bottom of your glass jars, are they glass marbles or disks. I’m interested in having a go at this method of growing some Oncidium Sharry Baby which I divided up recently. What are your thoughts 18months since you produced this video. Kind regards.

[@walkingbyfaith3468]

Glass beads from Dollar Tree, they are smooth, so the roots dont get damaged. Danielle’s Orchid Ranch has great videos on FWC using the glass beads. I just bought a Sharry Baby from a grower and it was impacted with moss, i like the way it smells and i just placed it into FWC. Good Luck

[@alanaweaver8942]

I’m going to use some potting medium but not pack it entirely around the roots how we been taught by other more experienced orchid growers. I tried my hand at growing orchids before using the big box store orchid bark mix and hydroton clay pebbles. I’m going to try this method because like you said I don’t like having to wrestle and loosening the old potting medium when it comes time to repot especially when you have over 20 orchids. 😂

[@rcruise1]

Were do you buy your glass pots for your orchids

[@MichaelsOrchids]

I make them myself, and they are available here! michaelsorchids.com/growing-containers/glass-growing-containers

[@guretsugu]

Thanks for the awesome info! Have you ever tried growing orchids mounted on the outside of clay vessels? Something similar to the Kool log or Terraplanter. I'm wondering whether it would compare similarly to water culture.

[@quoc0dile]

Hi Michael, you've mentioned in several vids about the improvement in the quality of your water after you moved and how you noticed a marked improvement in your orchid growth. Can you test your water for a video? like TDS level, pH, hardiness, mineral types, etc.? I am curious to see as I am trying find ways to improve my water qualities and what I should aim for. (If you have done this already, can you link that video below?) Mucho thanks.

[@lisabroussardjanuska6774]

quoc0dile I too would be interested in this. We live in a high hard water area, lots of limestone surrounds us. We have a system on our kitchen sink that I use to water my plants, but would like to learn how to know if it’s good enough or not too!

[@amandajewell448]

Is there part 2.

[@ji94552]

Greetings from East Bay! You can customize your own water culture (water levels, dry period and etc.) Also please wait at least for 1 month before fertilizing your newly water cultured orchids. Wait for them to acclimate to their new environment. I’m growing phals, oncidiums and a new beallara in water. I hope to have a miltoniopsis someday.

[@andreaprieto9028]

Love your videos, I have a question Do you put food or something in the water or not? If yes how often or what kind of food?

[@heatheredwards2982]

Michael you could put a drop or 2 of the physan in the water to prevent algae issues

[@mercysmith]

Where does one find the clear vases with the holes for airflow on the sides?

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Right here! michaelsorchids.com/growing-containers/glass-growing-containers

[@KomalKaur-bx6zs]

I recently repotted my orchid, in a glass jar. The leaves don’t seem super plump but the roots seem to be doing great. How do I tell if my orchid is ok or not? Even though roots seem good the leaves are just not plumping up.

[@barbaravonmettenheim1409]

If it's growing roots, it's doing well. It will put out leaves eventually

[@walkingbyfaith3468]

I like thick, glass with a heavy bottom so that the vase or jar will not get top heave and turn ovef too easy. The glass beads give the bottom so weight too

[@jessica_0724]

I've had my phalens in only water for about 5 yrs now. I'm in a cold climate and it's so dry from furnace running half the yr. The leaves were wilting when using bark medium so one day I trashed all the bark and went all water. I find some will like more water than others. Trial and error obv.

[@livhonestly]

I have a Phalaenopsis and the roots are all out of the pot it seems that I have to dunk it in water a couple of times and then I let it dry out. Where did you get those orchid vases?

[@walkingbyfaith3468]

I purchase at Dollar Tree, Walmart, Thrift stores any vase, drinking glass that catches my eye, and use mason jars and any glass container that meets the need, such as jelly and pickel jars

[@karlandreasen]

Water culture was appealing for me, but it turned out to be more fidly than media. It was an interesting experiment.

[@lucasvermeulen4454]

Three of my orchids died after water culture of two weeks. Made me super sad. Every single root died completely. Can u explain why ?

[@lizbeflawrence9877]

Wow, i mean i understand as epiphytes they don’t live in permanent medium but to think that a few cm’s of water would provide enough is quite mind blowing me! One question, as the roots are so exposed do you have to take extra precautions when feeding, i mean extra watering down of the feed solution? Just wondering. Great info & great video thanks 😊👍

[@lisabroussardjanuska6774]

Lizbef Lawrence good question!

[@jacquilayton2557]

Please help, I keep getting these mites that stick to the flowers and stems, and the leaves are very sticky. I've been cleaning the bugs off and cleaning the leaves but it keeps coming back, what should I do?

[@walkingbyfaith3468]

Are you washing with a few drops dawn dish washing liquid and water? Also alcohol on a q tip apply direct to the bug. I do not have mites on my orchides, but the soap method kills the mites or aphids and does not harm my potted plants

[@walkingbyfaith3468]

Dollar Tree in craft secion, they sre smooth, so does not damage the roots like rocks and leca can do

[@anggreksolis]

Thank you

[@petrafassbender4349]

I will trie it..🙂

[@NinjaOrchids]

I don’t grow anything in water culture ... bare rooted vandas excluded ... because that would be semi water culture 😬 but this video is the best breakdown and explanation I have ever seen! Fantastic 👍🏼🌸

[@isabellamuscat1958]

Very interesting video, like all your others! Are those glass pebbles at the bottom of the containers please? Thanks for sharing and keep up your good work :)

[@walkingbyfaith3468]

Danielle’s Orchid Ranch has great videos on growing FWC with glass beeds from Dollar tree

[@helenacerveira9731]

Hi I like the videos, but I don’t have subtitles to translate, so I can’t follow everything thanks💚💚😷😷

[@bonniesuekimball7550]

Well they sure look like happy campers 🤗😁 You will have a lot of algae growth but will just have to scrub out the vases periodically. If you are not familiar with Anna Maria from Miracle Orchids, check out her videos.. she grow most of her plants in water culture, hand paints her beautiful vases and has a lot helpful tips. Good luck and take care

[@ismaramackenzie6188]

Rain water???

[@ItsBooToYou]

Not always an option as it is illegal in some states in the US.

[@christavincent7396]

@@ItsBooToYou Illegal? Where?

[@sadiestone59]

🖤🌿

[@dannisorchidjourney]

I wish I could do water culture just for the fact because I think it looks really cool. But I kill every orchid with water culture.

[@lisabroussardjanuska6774]

Danni’s Orchid Journey - I lost one recently as well. I’m a little nervous going in, but I have one that took pretty well, so I’m going to soldier up and try another one, praying for the best!!

[@trananhtuan9786]

Viet nam thkiu

[@heatheredwards2982]

Phals take to this surprisingly easy

[@orchidelirium9102]

So funny. I have accidentally been doing semi hydro / PET method lol the more you know right

[@sassylrhg]

Studies show that people get overwhelmed or tune you out at the 6 minute mark. You have lots of info to share but maybe break it down to the important facts.

[@lancoschino731]

You talked for 80% of video before u showed the plants.