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  "path": "/post/50628734",
  "publishedAt": "2026-04-17T07:41:00.000Z",
  "site": "https://mander.xyz",
  "tags": [
    "Houseplants",
    "Guenther_Amanita",
    "1 comments",
    "slrpnk.net/post/36671875"
  ],
  "textContent": "submitted by Guenther_Amanita to houseplants\n10 points | 1 comments\n\nCross-geposted von: slrpnk.net/post/36671875\n\n> I have pretty much all my plants in semi-hydro, where I use LECA as a substrate, which is constantly submerged 1/3 in nutrient solution.\n>\n> Over the last years, I’ve transitioned over a hundred different plants (including finicky ones like Calatheas, ferns, etc.) from soil to hydro and never had a problem. Sure, they are stressed in the beginning and a few leaves are getting crispy, but they usually recover in a few weeks and then really take off.\n>\n> Orchids are different tho. I have mostly Oncidiums and Phalaenopsis, and Phals in particular somehow _really_ don’t seem to like S/H. Almost all roots are dying off in the beginning, and I’ve lost **a lot** of phals compared to other plants. And even when they survive the first weeks, winter seems to take a big toll on them.\n>\n> They need to regrow fresh roots first, which need to be directed into the media, and then they really take off. _After two years!_\n>\n> I don’t know what I’m doing wrong.\n>\n> Either that’s totally normal. Many of the specimens I got were already pretty weakened when I bought them, and they would have died anyway?\n>\n> Or, the transition went too fast.\n>\n> Or, phals need really warm temperatures, and the constantly moist airy substrate is too cool due to evaporation.\n>\n> Or, there’s something special about orchid roots that makes them completely unable to adapt to new conditions.\n>\n> Or, maybe something totally different?\n>\n> What can I do to minimise the losses?",
  "title": "Unhappy orchids in semi-hydro - Why? (Experience report)"
}