The perfect regulation of the water supply is a challenge in the care of orchids. By converting your flower diva to hydroponics, you can elegantly avoid the problem of waterlogging and root rot. We would be happy to explain to you how this works.
How do I convert orchids to hydroponics?
To successfully convert orchids to hydroponics, you will need expanded clay, a water level indicator, a hydroponic pot, a casing container and a nutrient solution. The transition is best done between mid-January and early May by removing the soil from the plant and placing it in the hydroponic substrate.
Material and preparatory work
To successfully convert an orchid to hydroponics, please note the following materials and accessories on the shopping list:
- Expanded clay with a grain size of 8 mm to a maximum of 16 mm
- Water level indicator
- Transparent hydroponic pot with a minimum diameter of 11 cm and a height of 15 cm
- Jacket container for hydroponic plants
- Nutrient solution, such as Lewatit HD 50 (€16.00 at Amazon)
Please rinse the expanded clay several times until the water no longer turns brown. Then soak the clay balls for 24 hours, because if they are dry they would remove moisture from the roots.
Adjusting an orchid to hydroponics – this is how it works
Please choose a date between mid-January and early May, when orchids sprout their fresh roots. Pot up 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. Proceed as follows:
- Pour the soaked expanded clay into the bottom of the pot to a height of 3 cm
- Now attach the water level indicator
- Twist the substrate-free orchid so that the root collar 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 as it progresses does the plant produce aquatic roots that grow into the water. During this transition phase, you only fill in the water to a depth of 2-3 cm. Due to capillary force, moisture rises to the upper substrate levels. The water level indicator signals when to add water.
Nutrient solution gives orchids strength
Since the orchids now live in inorganic material, they are particularly dependent on regular fertilization. A special nutrient solution covers the needs. For a small orchid, just 1 teaspoon is enough, which you add to the water every 2 to 3 months.
Tip
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 placing an orchid in hydroponic substrate.