using LECA, small scoria ( lava rock), or small medium in a basket
 

I have had several friends ask me about this and i thought it was a pretty well known trick but i did a search and nothing jumped out at me so here it is.

I like to use hydroton ( LECA) as a mediaum in my mix and it is small and round and likes to escape from any container especially a wide slat basket soooooooo...what to do?


Shade cloth!

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5973761_4k.jpgLath house by J Solo, on Flickr


start with a square about twice the size of your basket (okay it is really 4x the size because that's how squares work) and then cut away the corners to make a big +

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...3142661_4k.jpgLath house by J Solo, on Flickr



orient the shade cloth so it lines up with the basket and push it down into the basket
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...2a45358_4k.jpgLath house by J Solo, on Flickr

use a scissor, screwdriver, spike stake, or any other long thin thing and push the top of the cloth through the highest basket slat
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...eb546f5_4k.jpgLath house by J Solo, on Flickr

add some leca, then the plant, then fill around with media of choice

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...5d86e79_4k.jpgLath house by J Solo, on Flickr

I do the same thing with shade cloth so I can fill Vanda baskets with smaller grade bark for my Oncidium. I also use small tan zip ties to hold the cloth in place.

I have used window screen, plastic rain gutter mesh, 3D spacer fabric, and "plastic canvas" mesh.

Definitely. Fly screen material is good strong stuff. I also use it to cover holes of computer power supplies to stop geckos from getting into the power supply. The gaps through the screen mesh still allow pretty good air movement. The screen is very easy to cut with scissors too.

Good additions all. I thought this was pretty common practice but I was getting asked

The fly screen is pretty cool looking atuff

If you make your own baskets, then:

• Space bottom slats closer together to prevent nuggets from falling through.
• Cut wood to about 3/8" thickness. That prevents nuggets from rolling out the sides.