Scoria/lavarock as a substrate

[DirtyCoconuts]

Hey, we all are learning...it was your setup that made me reposition my bulb phalaenopsis which is much happier already.

Glad to have you here!

[Ray]

Just a quick “dry top” comment: it’s really only a problem when new roots are emerging and trying to penetrate the surface. If the LECA is dead dry, it can desiccate the tender root tips. Once they have grown down into it, it’s really no longer an issue.

If I see the possibility of that happening, I just keep a spray bottle of pure water nearby and periodically spritz the rocks.

[farley101]

DC - Glad to hear your bulbo phal is liking the setup, mine took a little bit to get settled but the new bulb is taking off, must like the recent influx of heat and humidity! Glad to be here, everyone (excluding the trolls) are great and very helpful. Hope to pass it along as I gain experience!

Ray - That was what I was running into. I pruned back a ton of dead roots, twice actually when I realized that I had potted it up with a solid amount of dead roots. The new growth and subsequent roots were slow to develop and they were having issues with the dry leca, tips were dying at the surface. I believe it's fairly well established down in the pot now, so that "issue" probably isn't so bad anymore.

Appreciate the input! Y'all are good people 😄