pro tip for terrestrials in pots! LECA on top!

[DirtyCoconuts]

this is not really anything new but i did not find it specifically explained anywhere and i thought i would share.

My terrestrials all have the same problem, weeds. things grow fast here and the weeds are the fastest. I hate weeding in the pots where orchids live bc i am a root puller and i dont like to hurt orchids....as a result i clip the weeds and they come back.


so a while ago i started this .....i fill the top of the pot with LECA i dont like, in this case CRUNCH, has been used to dress the top of this phaius about 2 inches deep (in most places...some are a lot less). as a results the weeds dont really take as quickly and, much more importantly, they can be pulled effortlessly without bothering the soil or plating mix below.



Untitled by J Solo, on Flickr

[Maryanne]

Folks, I do something similar, for potted plants of all kinds, not just orchids. I have collected pretty colored pebbles (I live on gravel)
and either scattered or neatly arranged them on the top surfaces of potted plants. It kind of dresses up too. It also helps with keeping the top surface of the media/soil stable when watering. I suppose you can use marble chips, glass marbles, etc.....
Cheers,
Maryanne

[DirtyCoconuts]

Great idea. I have a LOT of whack leca that I tried and didn’t like so I go that route but I bet yours are a lot prettier. I’m gonna start saving pebbles and gravel too. Great call

[Ray]

I grew Phaius tankervilleae in S/H. All LECA