Hi Hogan,
The method is very simple and it works an absolute treat. Not only will your orchids not die, but they will grow well!
Semi-Hydrophonic Method
1) Take a plant pot slightly on the larger side. Drill/cut or pop 2 holes about 1 1/2 inch from the bottom.
2) Use a medium size expanded clay pellets, i use Hydroleca, you can find them at nearly ANY garden center or online , eg.
http/www.gardendirect.co.uk/product.asp?...History=related.
Fill the bottom of the vase upto the holes with the clay balls. (basically have an 1 1/2 inch of balls to the bottom of the pot.)
3) Remove your orchid from the tree bark and carefully remove as much bark from around the roots as possible. (You should be able to nearly remove it all)
4) Cut any crappy or dead roots away.
5) Place the orchid in the top of the vase and fill and shake the rest of the clay balls around it so basically the roots get completely burried. You have to shake it so the balls get between the roots and everywhere.
Done
Now picture the situation. When you fill the vase with water, it will fill the bottom inch and a half with water then start to leek out the holes.
The clay pellets soak up the water, so remain constantly moist from the pool of water in the bottom, yet not too wet to rot the roots. Also the roots never grow into the water pool and so don`t rot. The large pellets also give good circulation of air around the root system and allow strong root growth.
I would advise using a plate under the pot
1) to catch the water when it spurts out so it doesnt go all over the floor
2) more importantly. If you put the clay pellets around the pot on the plate as well, they get soaked in water and keep the surrounding air nice and humid for the orchid as well.
Water it about 2 times a week, just so that there is always a bit of water in the pool at the bottom.
I use a Orchid fertisliser once every month or a little more often in summer.
Hope that helps and let me know how you get on!
In my opinion they should be sold this way!!!
Regards
Chris