Stalite

[peeweelovesbooks]

Anyone familiar with this medium?


Medium Stalite


I've read good things about it but I've not seen it in person. People have noted it's a little bit more moisture retentive than hydroton, for example, and that it has crevices to which orchid roots like to attach themselves, unlike the smoother surfaces of hydroton.

I'm thinking about potting up a couple of plants to see if they do well in them, but I wanted feedback first. Thanks!

[Ray]

Once upon a time, that was sold as Dyna-Rok (not Dyna-Rok II, which is diatomite), and Dave Neal (owner of Dyna-Gro) sent me some to experiment with.

I found it to be heavier than any LECA (not necessarily a bad thing), but it only absorbed about half of the liquid they did and only left about 2/3 of the open volume (air space) they did.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Thanks Ray! As you know, I don't grow in S/H but I do grow my plants in 100% hydroton. Which LECA, in your opinion, is best for orchids?

[Connie Star]

Originally Posted by peeweelovesbooks

Thanks Ray! As you know, I don't grow in S/H but I do grow my plants in 100% hydroton. Which LECA, in your opinion, is best for orchids?

I'm confused- I thought growing in any LECA was synonymous with S/H?

[WhiteRabbit]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

I'm confused- I thought growing in any LECA was synonymous with S/H?

LECA is a medium used for s/h. Other media can be used also. LECA can also be used for potting plants grown "traditionally"

[Izzie]

Originally Posted by Connie Star

I'm confused- I thought growing in any LECA was synonymous with S/H?

In simple layman's terms, s/h is only when you have a water reservoir in the bottom rather than a free draining pot like you would use with any other media.
s/h provide constant moisture to a degree, but using LECA without s/h would be similar to planting in volcanic rock.

[orchids3]

Ray,
I use stalite almost excluseivly with my cymbidiums in Florida.It is not similar or anything like diatomite but is rather heat expanded shale. It is used in the concrete industry for the fabrication of precast concrete structures. I like it a lot and it does hold a lot of moisture but drains well. It is also pH neutral. A lot of commercial nurserys use it here in Florida including Krull-Smith. My own personl opinion is that it is the best potting media on the market. Mixed with chc in differant ratio's I use it for everything I grow which includes a little of everything.

[peeweelovesbooks]

Orchids3, where did you find stalite? I've only found it in repotme.com?


Thanks!

Do you grow any other orchid in stalite?

[orchids3]

M
I dont know where to find it in Miami but it is available here in Jacisonville at a gravel yeard.
1.Google or search Stalite and narrow it down to a local source. 2. Stalite is also known as Perma - Till which is used in the agracultural, horticultural and landscaping buisness. The price goes up for putting it in a bag and labeling it. 3. Some lumber yeards also
sell it in the concrete and building supply section as
Expanded shale or lightweight aggregate.
Good Luck

[orchids3]

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