I have many water culture orchids that have been living in semi water culture for over 5 years now. They are growing and blooming every year. In semi water culture you do a wet dry cycle with the roots making it more like their natural habitat. I put water in for 3-5 days and then dump the water out for 3-5 days. The roots are in glass jars with nothing else in the jar except water. I prefer semi water culture over full water culture. Yes some roots die but others grow that seem to have no problem with being in water. I tried it as an experiment because I was sceptical. However, it worked out great. They are growing lots of roots, leaves, flower spikes, and blooming every year.
Do your orchids have "leaves growth" periods? I keep mine submerged and they bloom all the time instead of growing leaves. I am not sure how good that is for them in the long run.
@@dianedemario3836 I see, so probably is not because of them being sumberged. May I ask where do you live? Here in Alberta gets rather cold at night even during summer. I guess that may be stimulating my orchids to bloom so often, 3-4 times per year. One of them didn't grow any leaves for 2 years and eventually died but not before blooming a few times and producing 3 keikis.
@@Mario-forall I love in Florida. The heat and humidity make it's great place to grow orchids. It doesn't get very cold here. So once a year blooming sometimes twice a year is the best I can do. So it may not have anything to do with keeping them submerged. It could be your temperatures.
I love that you provide a lot of science and information about the natural state of the plant while explaining why a system may not work for the plant. I think that back ground especially for none biologist or seasoned gardens is great. Although as someone who is new to orchids and has tried using this method (I have yet to see the results you have and it's been weeks now) your condescending tone makes it hard for someone to want to follow you advice. It belittles them. You can guide with out the side comments but those are just my opinions.
You have just saved my heart and emerging confidence at successfully growing orchids. I was just about to follow the advice to water culture the orchids for "faster growth and easier maintenance" due to other UA-cam video creators recommending it. I was taken aback when I learned from my own research that orchids grow on trees in the wild, which caused me to want to understand why they would be a good candidate to living in a water only lake type of environment. I’m so glad I came across your channel and these orchid caring videos because I have a whole newfound respect and knowledge of how and why orchids grow successfully on their own. I will be sure to find some suitable orchid bark and moss to put in a suitable pot with enough room to keep the orchid roots away from any sitting water.
I kept an open mind. I just started the water culture technique. At first, I was shocked like you. But I continued to research, and these are what I learned: a) start by experimenting, but do not, do not use your favored, treasured, had it for a long time orchid (a lot of them said that.) b) some orchids likes it and thrives, others do not c) therefore, watch your experiments closely, it's not unusual to not look as vibrant, the orchids just went through a shock. But if you see signs beyond that, then convert it back to its previous home. d) don't go changing all your orchids into water culture. e) give your experiment time, what you do not want to do is going back and forth. I know I still have lots to learn, and I will continue. I encourage you to give it a second go, take a look again, and keep an open mind. Too many of them tried and c had converted lots of their orchids to water or semi-water culture and succeeded. Just sharing, thanks.
Forgot couple of things: You do not have to have all roots touching the water. Make sure the stem is not in the water. Same as the other technique, take care you do not leave the crown wet or filled with water.
i love the biological explanation! Especially "dumbing" it down for me, since my specialty is more in human anatomy and physiology. Keep doing what you're doing
I like the science behind all this because it pings my brain as to what is going right or wrong with all my plants. It is also just interesting. You are impressive.
Thank you! I've been looking for what seems like ever for solid info on whether I can grow emerged orchids in my fish tank. You've helped me avoid killing my orchids.
It is not as crazy as you think. I have been doing this for a year now. I keep my phaelenopsis' roots permanently, completely, submerged in water with fertilizer. They grow well and bloom all the time. I think you need fertilizer in the water or else the plant will lose nutrients do to osmosis.
Can you please tell me what kind of fertilizer do you use? I'm from Latvia and we don't have such as they explain in Russia. I have a HESI kit. Do you know something about them?? I have phalaenopsis
@@larisatkacova1227 I use a single product calle Orchid Focus Bloom, made in UK. I never used HESI but I guess they should be the same. You can try with a single plant, if after 6 months it is still doing well it should be safe to submerge the others. The only issue I have noticed with this method is that plants bloom all year long instead of going through the leaves grow stage
@@Mario-forall Thanks for the answer - I put one orch to dry and I think to put it on the water. How often do you add fertilizer to the water and what minerals?? how often do yours bloom in water?? Thanks in advance, I'm a total newbie.
@@larisatkacova1227 I add fertilizer every time I refill the water in the pots and I use RO water because my tap water is very hard. My Orchids bloom about 2-3 times per year, with flowers lasting a few months each time. Even if I cut the flower spikes completely they will just produce new spikes instead of leaves.
@@Mario-forall Thanks for the answer - I will look for an opportunity to order these fertilizers, but for now I could not stand it and planted pine bark + coconut in the ground a little. It looks like the method in water deserves interest
I am sorry to say: I have three mini orchids in full water culture. And yes, they are thriving. One hasnt stopped blooming for months. The others have new spikes coming. One did not loose any roots. It even made addittional roots. One lost alot of roots and is in the process of making new ones, especially for water. The other one lost some and kept others. It made some new. So they are definetely happy and if you want i can send you pictures.
I believe you, there's a channel of an other lady who's doing it for many years she state that as soon as you bring it to your house removed all the moss or whatever the orchid is, rinsed throughout and let it dry until the next day then put it in water...
The reason your orchid is still “thriving” is because it’s using the nutrients stored in it’s leaves and roots as well as switching to CAM photosynthesis to preserve its energy. Sooner or later, you’ll notice your orchid suffering from nutrient imbalance and depletion and it will eventually die. This is why I made this video, for people like you who believe you can transition an epiphytic air plant into so called “water culture”.
Thank you. When I started your video I thought I'd be putting my new miniature orchid in water, now I know not to. I picked up a miniature orchid from one of my local grocery stores in Kansas, USA.. in the middle of nowhere. I'm trying to save it but after watching several of your videos I'm wondering if I can. I don't have a lot of money but I do live close to a river. Any pro tips would be greatly appreciated. Thank you for your videos either way 🌻
I just love your videos. I have 2 orchids, one is 5 years old and the other is a keiki and is 3 years old. I have used every method possible to try and keep them happy. The most resent attempt is the water only. I have only had them in water for 2 days so after watching your videos I will definitely plant them in moss only.
Every water culture video i have watched told that water culture never means 24/7 submerging. You submerge. 1/3 of roots in water for a day or two, add fertilizer to the water and the other days of the week you let the roots dry. Ofc your plant dies if its in the water without dry out periods.
Subscribed yesterday so I could explore your orchid info... initially on "reviving" them in terrariums. Because I had done that (before finding you) as a last resort attempt for a plant with 2 small leaves and an air root. I began watching this video as a sceptic! SO happy & a bit relieved your findings proved my instincts correct! ♥ Now: should I leave my revived orchid (8 leaves & many air roots...I don't know about it's main root system yet) in my BiOrb? OR "shock" it for a few weeks to get it to bloom? It may just need more regular fertilizer. BiOrb is an automated terrarium I've had a little over a year. It even revived my air plant :) But I've never had anything bloom in it yet...
Clear, thank you. Once I visited Vietnam. In a hotel there was a plant in vase. The plant just had few leaves and big roots in water. Looked like this one, but I think it was another. I try to find the same to keep vase with it in my bathroom. Can you advise please?
I cannot explain it ether. It is absolutely unnatural and in some cases, shocking for orchids. Tropical orchids never experience icy conditions. It looks like that crazy infectious idea similar to growing roses in potatoes.
Typically, I do not like long videos because people talk just to talk. They aren't actually saying anything or repeating themselves. You however, consistently give useful information. I love orchids. Many years ago, I would take care of my grandmother's everytime I went to visit. I had to learn how to take care of them. They have been my favorite since them. One lady in a plant group keeps telling people to take them out of the moss because they don't belong in it. That in their natural environment, they grow on trees (she is right about that part). I'm like they do, so how did you conclude that they belong in water?? They just don't belong tightly packed in moss, they need to breathe. 🤦♀️🤦♀️
I have many water culture orchids that have been living in semi water culture for over 5 years now. They are growing and blooming every year. In semi water culture you do a wet dry cycle with the roots making it more like their natural habitat. I put water in for 3-5 days and then dump the water out for 3-5 days. The roots are in glass jars with nothing else in the jar except water. I prefer semi water culture over full water culture. Yes some roots die but others grow that seem to have no problem with being in water. I tried it as an experiment because I was sceptical. However, it worked out great. They are growing lots of roots, leaves, flower spikes, and blooming every year.
Do your orchids have "leaves growth" periods? I keep mine submerged and they bloom all the time instead of growing leaves. I am not sure how good that is for them in the long run.
@@Mario-forall yes they do have growth time. They grow beautiful leaves and bloom once sometimes twice a year.
@@dianedemario3836 I see, so probably is not because of them being sumberged. May I ask where do you live? Here in Alberta gets rather cold at night even during summer. I guess that may be stimulating my orchids to bloom so often, 3-4 times per year. One of them didn't grow any leaves for 2 years and eventually died but not before blooming a few times and producing 3 keikis.
@@Mario-forall I love in Florida. The heat and humidity make it's great place to grow orchids. It doesn't get very cold here. So once a year blooming sometimes twice a year is the best I can do. So it may not have anything to do with keeping them submerged. It could be your temperatures.
Please don’t ever stop making such valuable content for plant lovers everywhere !!
I love that you provide a lot of science and information about the natural state of the plant while explaining why a system may not work for the plant. I think that back ground especially for none biologist or seasoned gardens is great. Although as someone who is new to orchids and has tried using this method (I have yet to see the results you have and it's been weeks now) your condescending tone makes it hard for someone to want to follow you advice. It belittles them. You can guide with out the side comments but those are just my opinions.
You have just saved my heart and emerging confidence at successfully growing orchids. I was just about to follow the advice to water culture the orchids for "faster growth and easier maintenance" due to other UA-cam video creators recommending it. I was taken aback when I learned from my own research that orchids grow on trees in the wild, which caused me to want to understand why they would be a good candidate to living in a water only lake type of environment. I’m so glad I came across your channel and these orchid caring videos because I have a whole newfound respect and knowledge of how and why orchids grow successfully on their own. I will be sure to find some suitable orchid bark and moss to put in a suitable pot with enough room to keep the orchid roots away from any sitting water.
I am SO glad I watched this video. I was about to put them in water but I’m so glad I stumbled upon this!
I kept an open mind. I just started the water culture technique. At first, I was shocked like you. But I continued to research, and these are what I learned: a) start by experimenting, but do not, do not use your favored, treasured, had it for a long time orchid (a lot of them said that.) b) some orchids likes it and thrives, others do not c) therefore, watch your experiments closely, it's not unusual to not look as vibrant, the orchids just went through a shock. But if you see signs beyond that, then convert it back to its previous home. d) don't go changing all your orchids into water culture. e) give your experiment time, what you do not want to do is going back and forth. I know I still have lots to learn, and I will continue. I encourage you to give it a second go, take a look again, and keep an open mind. Too many of them tried and c
had converted lots of their orchids to water or semi-water culture and succeeded. Just sharing, thanks.
Forgot couple of things: You do not have to have all roots touching the water. Make sure the stem is not in the water. Same as the other technique, take care you do not leave the crown wet or filled with water.
@@mahal9394Yes this was not a very well done experiment. A single plant? Lol. And a biased outlook from the start!
Your videos are not too long. They are excellent and very helpful, thank you for sharing your knowledge with us all.
i love the biological explanation! Especially "dumbing" it down for me, since my specialty is more in human anatomy and physiology. Keep doing what you're doing
I like the science behind all this because it pings my brain as to what is going right or wrong with all my plants. It is also just interesting. You are impressive.
Agree 💯
How odd. My husband and I are talking about adopting a child in the future and we've picked out the name Zuzu for her if we do indeed adopt. ✌️❤️☺️
Thank you! I've been looking for what seems like ever for solid info on whether I can grow emerged orchids in my fish tank. You've helped me avoid killing my orchids.
I would ❤💕❤ longer videos. Thank you Carl
Excellent. You have answered that question! I will repot my newly cleaned and descaled orchid.
Thank you again!! Love your channel. ♥️
You are a true botanist! Excellent video.
It is not as crazy as you think. I have been doing this for a year now. I keep my phaelenopsis' roots permanently, completely, submerged in water with fertilizer. They grow well and bloom all the time.
I think you need fertilizer in the water or else the plant will lose nutrients do to osmosis.
Can you please tell me what kind of fertilizer do you use? I'm from Latvia and we don't have such as they explain in Russia. I have a HESI kit. Do you know something about them?? I have phalaenopsis
@@larisatkacova1227 I use a single product calle Orchid Focus Bloom, made in UK. I never used HESI but I guess they should be the same. You can try with a single plant, if after 6 months it is still doing well it should be safe to submerge the others. The only issue I have noticed with this method is that plants bloom all year long instead of going through the leaves grow stage
@@Mario-forall Thanks for the answer - I put one orch to dry and I think to put it on the water. How often do you add fertilizer to the water and what minerals?? how often do yours bloom in water?? Thanks in advance, I'm a total newbie.
@@larisatkacova1227 I add fertilizer every time I refill the water in the pots and I use RO water because my tap water is very hard. My Orchids bloom about 2-3 times per year, with flowers lasting a few months each time. Even if I cut the flower spikes completely they will just produce new spikes instead of leaves.
@@Mario-forall Thanks for the answer - I will look for an opportunity to order these fertilizers, but for now I could not stand it and planted pine bark + coconut in the ground a little. It looks like the method in water deserves interest
I am sorry to say:
I have three mini orchids in full water culture.
And yes, they are thriving. One hasnt stopped blooming for months. The others have new spikes coming.
One did not loose any roots. It even made addittional roots.
One lost alot of roots and is in the process of making new ones, especially for water.
The other one lost some and kept others. It made some new.
So they are definetely happy and if you want i can send you pictures.
I believe you, there's a channel of an other lady who's doing it for many years she state that as soon as you bring it to your house removed all the moss or whatever the orchid is, rinsed throughout and let it dry until the next day then put it in water...
@@comprometidaconlaverdad8380 It is a risque.
Some orchids will die, true. But not all! There's no certainty.
The reason your orchid is still “thriving” is because it’s using the nutrients stored in it’s leaves and roots as well as switching to CAM photosynthesis to preserve its energy. Sooner or later, you’ll notice your orchid suffering from nutrient imbalance and depletion and it will eventually die. This is why I made this video, for people like you who believe you can transition an epiphytic air plant into so called “water culture”.
@@Classyflowers I understand. How long do u reckon before it will die?
@@lucasvermeulen4454 It depends on conditions, the variety and most importantly, previously stored nutrients.
Science will prevail all of the myths. I love this video. Great job !
Thank you. When I started your video I thought I'd be putting my new miniature orchid in water, now I know not to.
I picked up a miniature orchid from one of my local grocery stores in Kansas, USA.. in the middle of nowhere.
I'm trying to save it but after watching several of your videos I'm wondering if I can.
I don't have a lot of money but I do live close to a river.
Any pro tips would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your videos either way
🌻
I just love your videos. I have 2 orchids, one is 5 years old and the other is a keiki and is 3 years old. I have used every method possible to try and keep them happy. The most resent attempt is the water only. I have only had them in water for 2 days so after watching your videos I will definitely plant them in moss only.
Great videos congratulations and thanks 🙏
Awesome video. Great information.
Every water culture video i have watched told that water culture never means 24/7 submerging. You submerge. 1/3 of roots in water for a day or two, add fertilizer to the water and the other days of the week you let the roots dry. Ofc your plant dies if its in the water without dry out periods.
I have gray stem growing from the the lower leave but the stem has 5 blooms with a new stem at a lower point of the stem
Wow! You know your stuff! I just subscribed to all of your videos. Thank you! 🙏
Subscribed yesterday so I could explore your orchid info... initially on "reviving" them in terrariums. Because I had done that (before finding you) as a last resort attempt for a plant with 2 small leaves and an air root. I began watching this video as a sceptic! SO happy & a bit relieved your findings proved my instincts correct! ♥
Now: should I leave my revived orchid (8 leaves & many air roots...I don't know about it's main root system yet) in my BiOrb? OR "shock" it for a few weeks to get it to bloom? It may just need more regular fertilizer. BiOrb is an automated terrarium I've had a little over a year. It even revived my air plant :) But I've never had anything bloom in it yet...
Wonderful video, thank you
Love your content
Where can i buy moss i am in ontario and we still have snow....thanks
Clear, thank you. Once I visited Vietnam. In a hotel there was a plant in vase. The plant just had few leaves and big roots in water. Looked like this one, but I think it was another. I try to find the same to keep vase with it in my bathroom. Can you advise please?
Most likely it was a terrestrial orchid.
@@Classyflowers thank you for the reply. I have checked and seems like this flower I have seen in Vietnam.
2:55 I like the video
Hello, can you explain this idea of watering orchids with ice, please, please, please 🤔 Which I do not 😏
I cannot explain it ether. It is absolutely unnatural and in some cases, shocking for orchids. Tropical orchids never experience icy conditions. It looks like that crazy infectious idea similar to growing roses in potatoes.
Can I use Irish moss?
You may use any moss, that can absorb and hold the moisture.
❤thank u
If my orchids are growing and I want to keep them growing what do I do ?
obviously, you are a scientist and I
do not understand the level of your expressed education. That being said, i still enjoyed your videos
Typically, I do not like long videos because people talk just to talk. They aren't actually saying anything or repeating themselves. You however, consistently give useful information.
I love orchids. Many years ago, I would take care of my grandmother's everytime I went to visit. I had to learn how to take care of them. They have been my favorite since them.
One lady in a plant group keeps telling people to take them out of the moss because they don't belong in it. That in their natural environment, they grow on trees (she is right about that part). I'm like they do, so how did you conclude that they belong in water?? They just don't belong tightly packed in moss, they need to breathe. 🤦♀️🤦♀️
Too much of a good thing…
А как же на русском???
ua-cam.com/video/MpKrO5HQRAk/v-deo.html