My very first Roth bud watch!

[smokinjoe1952]

I am playing the same waiting game with a Paph too!

I noticed the rocks on top of the LECA. What is it, and why do you use it. I am considering doing something like that to prevent the top layer of LECA from getting too dry and desiccating the upper and aerial roots.

I was wondering if that is why you do it.

Thanks,

SJ

[PaphLover]

Originally Posted by smokinjoe1952

I am playing the same waiting game with a Paph too!

I noticed the rocks on top of the LECA. What is it, and why do you use it. I am considering doing something like that to prevent the top layer of LECA from getting too dry and desiccating the upper and aerial roots.

I was wondering if that is why you do it.

Thanks,

SJ

It's lava rock. The LECA (different types from different sources) I've found tends to float, so when I go to flush the pots I lose a bunch of LECA if I'm not careful. Plus, it tends to move around too much, which isn't good for new root production.

The lava rock is heavy, keeps the plants and LECA in place, and provides some nutrients (I believe) when I flush with water. The plants seem to love it too.

[smokinjoe1952]

I was going to try some smaller river rocks that would accomplish the same thing. It just means that separating the rocks from the leca will be more difficult if you want to re-pot and save the leca.

Do you think the lava rocks help the upper leca layer stay a little more damp, thus protecting the roots from drying out?

If you are not having that problem, then I would be interested in knowing what the relative humidity is in your growing area. My thinking is that if it is humid enough, then drying of the leca is not a problem.

I am in the process of raising my day/night % humidity from the 45/55 range to the 65/75 range. Maybe the dry leca problem will go away without the rocks with higher humidity, but I like the idea of them holding the leca in place.

Thanks in advance,

SJ