Aliflor vs. lava rock

[WWingate]

Can I substitute lava rock for aliflor? 11 ft x 17 ft greenhouse with catleyas, phals and oncidiums. Plan to use mixture of fir bark, lava rock and perlite.

[cbuchman]

I've never used aliflor. I don't even know what it is. i have used lava rock for a long time and been very successful. Before using the lava rock, be sure to rinse it. Lots of "dust" will be rinsed away.

[tucker85]

Lava rock is just as good in a mix as any of the other LECA type rocks, including Aliflor. It also works well on it's own for some types of orchids.

[ALToronto]

Lava rocks wicks slower and holds moisture longer. I love it because I'm prone to overwatering, and you just can't overwater lava rock in a clay pot.

However, it tends to hold onto fertilizer salts, so I fertilize very weakly (about 1/4 label strength) every 2-3 days and use pure water in between.

[Bud]

I use mix that has lava rock and LECA/broken clay/hydroton ....so you can use both clay and lava rock in a mix whatever the size(large, medium or seedling size)
add: coco chips, sponge rock and charcoal
that will give you a potting mixture for any orchid

---------- Post added at 11:01 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:50 PM ----------

its not aliflor vs lava rock.....

its best to have 'aliflor and lava rock' plus some others

[Leafmite]

I love the red lava rock.