Ceramisite "Mini LECA"

[Pyewackit]

Hello Orchid Board!

I've been reading/researching for awhile but just started posting. I have a question for all you S/H gurus out there....

I've been searching for very small LECA to use for minis and the only thing I've found is something called Ceramisite. It is 3-4mm in diameter which should be the perfect size for minis. I've started a couple of plants in it with the same variety/age plant potted at the same time in sphagnum. So far the little plants in the Ceramisite seem to be out performing the ones in sphagnum. Has any one else tried this stuff with minis? If so please let me know what your thoughts are one it.

[DirtyCoconuts]

I use little leca for plants with very fine roots.

I just buy a big bag and use a homemade sifter to separate the < than 1/2” and > 1/2” then they go in different buckets

[Pyewackit]

Thanks!

[DirtyCoconuts]

small lava rock (sold for fire pits and decoration) would work the same as would #4 perlite, just dont push on it or it will crush

[Subrosa]

I got a large bag of this some years back. It's regular leca in 4mm-8mm sizes:
RK2 Systems - Clay Pellet Media

[Ray]

Once upon a time, back when I used to import 40-foot containers of PrimeAgra from Europe, I carried the coarse 10-16mm size and the small, 4-8mm size. The standard seems to be 8-16mm these days.

I found absolutely no advantage of using the finer stuff for small orchids or those with fine roots, BUT you must consider that I was growing in a warm, humid greenhouse, where the wicking rate always exceeded the evaporation rate.

In a drier environment, the smaller spaces between the particles might be an advantage, even though the open volume is the same, but don't forget that if the voids are on par with-, or smaller than the roots, the roots have an opportunity to suffocate themselves.

[katsucats]

I Googled ceramisite. That looks way too small. If you need something smaller than LECA, try Monto clay, which is used for bonsai plants. My only question is how you plan to keep it in the pot without washing out. Bonsai pots have a hole on the bottom that is apparently covered with a metal or plastic mesh. Orchid pots are typically more open.

I think smaller media could be helpful for anchoring smaller plants.