ORCHIDS IN LAVA ROCK?

[Shawna]

We don't have roaches. I think maybe our climate is to dry for them. I have beetles, crickets, ants and spiders. I am a perennial plants and vegetable gardener and I have to control ants all the time. That should have been my clue not to set my orchid pots outside. I am already dealing with a spider problem inside my house this spring. They are hiding underneath my big Phal leaves and my Phals are growing dry in leca. So I guess they just think they are hiding. I was on the hunt on the internet yesterday how to control spiders with natural products. They don't get on my Catts or Dends just the phals. That being said I don't believe I will put my orchids outside. Why create another bug problem.

[Orchid Whisperer]

I use "lava rock" (proper name is "scoria") for a few plants. I use the black kind, though I think red would work just as well.

I see no particular problems with the material attracting bugs.

[Optimist]

I live in a very dry part of NM and believe me, we have roaches. Colorado, you also have tons of roaches, you just don't see them in your house. They live everywhere!