Watering and Fertilizing: Semi-Hydroponics (Part One)

[@blinkbunny9781]

That fountain effect when the water pours is really chill.

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Haha, yes it is.

[@aprillethomas7840]

Hi Michael. I've watched this video a few times and I just noticed that you flush with fertilizer water. I thought I was supposed to flush with tap water, then plug up the holes and add fertilizer water, let it sit for about 10 minutes, the remove the tape and let the excess fertilizer water drain out - then I would be done. I guess I need clarification. In the meantime, I'll look for another of your videos to find the one I remember. As always, it is good to watch your videos; you've been my inspiration.

[@pjaneheil]

Hi, could u make a video on how u made the holes in ur vessels? Thanx pj

[@lisapitman3572]

Michael, It is Lisa P. again. I got your message and I got swiped it to the right to retrieved it and lost it. The reason I lost it is I just got a new I-phone for Christmas and I think they work different. I don’t know. I am 47. My brain is a little slow compared to all of you younger people. But again you do a wonderful job!! 🌺

[@lisapitman3572]

Lisa p. Here... I did not read it before I sent it to you and it kind of mess up! Sorry... I hope you can make since of it.

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Haha, it was totally clear. Don’t you worry about it!

[@linlaonong]

good video and presentation, thank you, Michael

[@natispatan]

So simply and nice explained! Thanks!

[@dorothyoberding7669]

Where do you get your pots for semi hydro?

[@madelaine3209]

How did you make holes in the glass? Thank you for educating me about Orchids, you do an excellent job!!!

[@anggrekbulanfwc]

He drilled the hole using a diamond tip drill bit.

[@danp8319]

Great video michael! Thanks for sharing!

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Thank you for tuning in, glad you enjoyed it Dan!

[@jamesmontgomery869]

So I am very new to this leca semi process, but I really like the concept..... how often do I water.... when the reservoir goes dry? I have the plants on a heating mat as it is cold here in the Valley in B.C. Still......it only took a couple of days to dry out. Probably drilled the holes too low, not sure yet. I have orchids in bare root, bark, lava and some mixed, try to stay away from the moss, drives me nuts, floats all over the place and is messy.... have rootless in leca and they seem to be catching on. I am too afraid to drill into the glass and don’t have the strength to hold the vase properly so am using plastic which isn;t too pretty but oh well. Love your vids, and advice, thanks from Mission, B.C. - Georgia

[@shumebute]

Hey man , i have so many problems with sellums and yours looks perfect. I have 6 they all have brown spots on the leaves and i ve troed everything.

[@theresabenoit2928]

I am very appreciative of your knowledge. You have encouraged me to get more involved with my orchids. I lost one awhile ago. My mini Phan is doing great it has a new root.. My next orchid has few roots but it has a new root too. They both have a leaf growing out of the crown. Do you think I should go semi hydroponic for the larger orchid or should I just leave it as is?

[@tiffanybettner9358]

Hi! Thanks for the help with my orchids. What is that large plant in the background?

[@shirleygolden5656]

Where do you get the Semi-hydroponics (that are in your jar?) and the jars with the holes?

[@rashmirekhagogoi3901]

I saw that you didn't have holes on the bottom of the pots. Why is it so?

[@stitISH]

this is for orchids. what about the other plants in sem hydroponic?

[@marysunshine389]

Where do you find the jars. They’re lovely

[@peterlaw6895]

What is the best month to feed the orchid

[@TeeLee919]

Hi Michael! I’m going to try this method of growing my orchids in the beads! Where do you get them? Any one kind better than others?

[@ja1410]

How often do you have to flush the mold growing. Mine accumulates at the crown

[@alialtntas1798]

Hi Micheal, do you know Sahlep (turkish hot beverage also using for making ice cream) made up from which kind of orhicds tubers? If you know please please help me, thanks a lot:)

[@Womynxx]

I can't seem to find info about mold/mildew with semi-hydro. Is this the key? Flush the water?

[@theo1965stang]

Hi Michael. What’s a good size glass vessel to plant the orchids in?

[@OrchidudeBcn]

Hey Michael, I just stumbled upon your channel, and after watching your video, I have a couple of questions...How long have you been growing in semi-hydro? Have you always used glass containers and why are they your preference? Excuse the inquisition, lol, but I grow in semi-hydro as well, and I'm always curious about other people's techniques and methods. I live in Spain and have a KZbin channel as well, come check it out! Happy growing ;)

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Hi OrchidudeBcn! Just checked out your channel, really great stuff and beautiful blooms! I've been growing semi-hydro now for about 5 months. I prefer glass containers generally as a matter of aesthetics; I think the presentation is really lovely. In my experience, glass vs. plastic hasn't had any impact on the growth process of my orchids, but that could just be an environment thing out here in Colorado!

[@ButterflyLoverGirl]

How did you drill holes in the glass without breaking it?

[@kathymorse8504]

I tried to drill holes. Not easy it moves all over the place. No luck

[@357tita]

You should try putting some rubber bands on the glass pot and putting it between two textbooks to stabilize

[@annafay5262]

Hi Michael, Just found your channel! How do you drill holes in glass containers without shattering? I'm so 'unhandy' LOL!

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Like this! kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmSzfKdjiq-dpqc

[@annafay5262]

Thank you!

[@kathymorse8504]

Ok what do you then. How do you start them to root what do uou keep them in to grow

[@Petersonpham]

Where did you get your watering can?

[@helgahofmann6393]

Hello Michael Can you reuse Leica pebbles or how to treat them for reuse if possible Helga

[@ldragosro]

You can boil them for 20 -30 minutes

[@kathymorse8504]

Hi I am sad about trying to get my orchid to root. Its in a plastic bag with spagum moss. See green bumps. But nothing happening??

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Stay positive and give it lots of love. I never had much success with sphag and bag, but others swear by it!

[@lteizen]

Hi, Michael! New on your channel and loving your videos! Quick question about hidroponics fertilization - do you leave the fertilizer until your next watering?

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Hi Luiza! I'm so glad you're enjoying the content on my channel! Yes, I I leave the fertilizer for a full week, then I flush the entire system with water and re-fertilize all over again. The leca pebbles can wick up the fertilizer solution as well as water

[@lteizen]

Michael's Orchids Michael! Thanks for the quick reply! Amazing content and very beautiful plants! Congrats!

[@aprillethomas7840]

Luiza had a good question. When I watched this video I saw that each plant seemed to have no residual water from the prior week and wondered about that. So, I gather (I hope correctly) that before you filmed this video you drained out what was left over and watered with fresh solution? I've been using hydroponics for a long time for some of my other house plants and started experimenting with my few orchids. I'm so happy I found your site - it's been most informative. I'm beginning to expand my orchid collection with your mentoring. Thank you for all of your efforts.

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Hi Aprille! Thank you so much for your kind words and for watching! You're absolutely right: I drain out the water from the previous week, flush the system thoroughly with tap water, and then re-water with my distilled water nutrient solution. Let me know if you have any other questions my dear!

[@clarkjamelle]

Where did you get the plastic vases from?

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Hi Janelle! They aren't plastic, they are glass that I've drilled holes into. Here's how I do it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/nmSzfKdjiq-dpqc

[@christinavonheidenstam3206]

What does The water comes out from the hols

[@gerripalmer6206]

just start using clay pebbles an found my orchids do better with the base of plant alil out of pebbles, I have one mini Phal that is alost laying over side of container, an roots galore

[@MichaelsOrchids]

I'll have to look into that, and maybe do an experiment! Thank you for the suggestion!

[@janellehellene4504]

are the drilled holes alreasdy in the pot. or did u drill them and how

[@seffer72]

They are drilled. Very simple to do if you have diamond cylinder drill bits that are meant for working on glass. :)

[@LaBucci]

Do you do this weekly or when it dries out?

[@rosiecarducci5918]

He said he waters and feeds weekly with a weak solution of fertilizer ("feed weakly, weekly").

[@libbyslittlegarden9514]

so then you keep them in fertilizer all the time am I correct?? Libby here from "Libby's little garden"😄👵

[@MichaelsOrchids]

Hi Libby! That is correct, they have a constant supply of food and water! I just subscribed to your channel, good stuff!