Potting in LECA

[Rhonda Svoboda]

I am toying with the idea of converting to either semi-hydro or using a self watering system for some of my high demand phal's. From what I've learned, LECA and self-watering irrigation systems are the two basics.
Does anyone currently use either of these? Do they really decrease the amount of time spent watering? I am currently watering almost every day. I used to be able to water all of my orchids, at once, two or three times a week.
However, I've grown my collection and now its getting a bit out of hand. Any recommendations ??
Thanks

[Orchidtinkerer]

Hi Rhonda, I have converted 80% of my phals to self watering. It saves a bit of time watering - I'd say less so for my phals than some others. Like some african varieties drink so little I only need to water them once a month,
my hot growing phals I still have to water once a week but what I really like about self watering pots is I can see instantly which ones do need watering and which ones need less. Like this I avoid overwatering without having to weigh or pick up pots so it is a major project to convert to lecca but long term it is well worth it.
I can guarantee I would have lost 100% more of my collection by now if I had not switched as I tend to be a forgetful waterer at times.
So for me it has been a no brainer to convert as many as possible.

But watering in lecca is different to watering in bark. Self watering pots need to have the right amount of nutrients added to the reservoir, you can't go overfeeding and flushing in self watering pots and I feel like this is the barrier preventing a lot of people from succeeding with the method.
It requires far more precision than being able to overfertilize and just flush out the excess salts on every second watering (you are trying to eliminate frequent watering)

So if you have a ph meter and a tds meter I would highly recommend you try lecca but without being able to check those values I would advise against.

Hope you do take the plunge - I have gotten lots of phals to flower in self watering pots and have 4 currently producing a flower spike in self watering pots.

I'm still relatively new to self watering myself but I think it is the best method for a forgetful grower like me who'd just lose his plants long term like I used to lose my ferns before I switched them to self watering too.

[WaterWitchin]

There are a lot of people on OrchidBoard, but you really don't draw more attraction by posting the same question in different forums here. I responded to a different forum you posted same question.

[Orchidtinkerer]

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