Stones as potting mix for Latouria

[karren]

I grow many Latouria dendrobiums and have done very well with them. I still buy new ones . Last year and this these new plants have been in a mix that looks like large pieces of perlite and some kind of stone material. The stone material is light colored and has flat surfaces much like shale.

What is this material? Does it have a commercial name/source?

It looks like a good medium for these plants, they do well in it and it does not break, down eliminating the need to repot, which they resent.

[WhiteRabbit]

good question karren - I'd like to know too! I recently got a latouria potted in what seems to be the same as you have described
I hope someone can tell us

[Weebl]

I have had diatomite do what you're talking about and break apart similar to slate or even mica. Once fully dry, does the light colored rock 'sizzle' when wetted?