LECA (non semi-hydro) media for Cats & Laelias

[Macbeth]

G'day all,

As I'm a grower who always likes to keep an eye out for any potential new media that can perform well, not break down very fast and provide good root oxygenation, I came across LECA (also called hydro clay) earlier this year.

Now I am aware there are growers using this semi-hydroponically, but my intent was to use just straight up as a medium for my Cats and some of my rupiculous laelias.

It's light, porous and not as heavy as scoria, and (although I still do need to test it myself) around neutral pH.

I'm just curious if anyone else here is using it as media straight from the bag (non semi-hydro), and what your results thus far have been?

As I normally grow my Cats and Laelias either in net pots or terracotta for aeration and drainage, I usually top with sphagnum, I am thinking the same would apply here due to the nature of the LECA?

Cheers!

[estación seca]

It works well. Go ahead!

[Macbeth]

Thankyou!

[SouthPark]

Maybe one main difference between leca and scoria is ...... scoria doesn't roll around all over the place, such as when using the hands to load into a pot during potting (and a few pieces fall out from the hands and onto the floor). And also doesn't roll around everywhere if a pot accidentally topples over. Other than that, I expect good performance from leca.

[Macbeth]

Cheers SouthPark

Yeah I think due to its very light and porous nature that makes sense!

I've had great results with scoria, so I'll be giving LECA a go!

[Ray]

What you’re proposing is very common in Florida for plants grown outdoors, exposed to high humidity, high temperatures, and frequent rains.

[DirtyCoconuts]

You will have success. Leca is a great inorganic media