Hydro growing is the culture of orchids using hydroponics, a method of growing plants using mineral nutrient solutions in water, without soil. Mineral nutrient solutions or an inert medium such as perlite, mineral wool or gravel is used to
grow terrestrial plants. Soil acts as a mineral nutrient reservoir and when the nutrients dissolve in water, the plant roots are able to absorb them. The same principle is used in hydroponics. The plants are provided with a nutrient solution directly, from where they can absorb the necessary nutrients and the soil is no longer required.
The method uses a porous, inert medium in a pot which helps the plant pull out the water from the medium as needed. Watering the media creates a reservoir of water at the bottom of the pot, which is then pulled up through the media as the plant uses water. Hydro orchid culture is picking popularity because of the many advantages to its credit.
Most of the orchids are epiphytes and don’t grow in soil. The spongy roots can store water and orchids are generally potted in a mixture of bark, moss and other composts. The potting medium helps to regulate humidity around the roots.
A number of special hydroponics pots are available commercially which can be used for culturing orchids. The recommended container for orchids is the one with an approximately one inch reservoir at the bottom, which will allow water to be wicked upward by the plant, as the upper layers get depleted. There should be openings above this point which can completely drain out water so that the roots are kept dry.
Advantages of Growing Hydro
1. Less Frequent and easy watering- The system requires much less frequent watering. Also, the water requirement can be monitored more effectively since the water level in the container can be checked. It eliminates the guesswork associated with watering as well.
2. Disease free growth- Since there is no involvement of soil in the method and the aggregates used are inert, the chances of orchids getting affected by a disease are reduced to a great extent.
3. Reduced fertilizer requirement- The system removes the washing off of fertilizers from the bottom of the pot. This allows complete utilization of the fertilizers provided to them and reduces the quantity required.
4. Easy maintenance and use- Orchids are grown in mobile pots which help in getting rid of pests and diseases. The aggregates hold water and also trap air allowing free air movement. Once transplanted into hydroponic system, only addition of nutrient rich solution is required.
5. Enhanced growth- Orchids grow faster and better with the system because it uses nutrient-rich water that enhances the growth of orchids resulting in larger blooms that last longer too.
