Searching for Mr. Good LECA in France

[Henry]

I'm looking for LECA in France, billes d'argile.

I see Hydrozone FR has PLAGRON euro pebbles,
90% nini/maxi particle size range is 8-16mm so that might be good?

The one star reviews for Algoflash pebbles on Amazon FR revealed a lot of people
not getting what the picture showed, so that's a gamble.

When I asked at the local Gamm Vert they didn't know what I was talking about.
Although I don't speak Francais, so…LOL
But their website Gamm Vert shows many brands.

Anyone know a favorite brand here?
merci beaucoup,

[Waterdog111]

I would think that you have come to the perfect place to ask. You will have to give everyone time to see your post though.

[Ray]

I have tested and used lots of different brands over the years and used to import container loads of Atami Hydro-Rokz (relabeled as PrimeAgra).

I no longer do that and my only locally available brand here is Cyco Hydro Clay out of Germany. Which is also very good.

The bottom line is that that they all “work”, but with some variation.

In my experience, having a uniform particle size is the first important criterion. 8-16 mm is a decent size range and having it be 90% in that sounds great.

I also prefer a smoother surface, as opposed to severely jagged, as it wicks better, and while uniformly-sized, perfect spheres offer the most open volume, having the particles be slight oblong or egg-shaped makes them more stable in the pot, with is better for the plant and they don’t act like a bowl full of marbles.

The porosity should be throughout the pellets. If a majority of the pellets remain floating after 30-60 minutes in water, the porosity doesn’t communicate with the interior, so won’t hold much water.

[rbarata]

My approach to LECA is: I only care about the size, that must be adequate for the pot size (the medium should have air pockets) and type of plant (if it needs more or less water).
Apart from that, I really don't care about brands or whatever. To me LECA is LECA.

As a side note, there's some types that are red. I think they are rich in Iron which is good for rupiculous.

[Henry]

Many thanks all y'all so far!

1. Leroy Merlin GEOLIA CLAY BALLS 20L 13€+ 5€ shipping
This one looks like a winner so far.

2. Point Vert has Algoflash 10L for 16€
But I'm not sure about Algoflash, they have to rep it.

Hydrozone 7€90 +7€90 shipping ~16€ 10L Plagron euro pebbles -90% nini/maxi particle size range is 8-16mm.
eshop.vilmorin 5L 9.59 € +6.90 € = 16.49 €

Multitanks Clay balls Vilmorin 5-litre bag Total Products: €14.50 + €8.58 = €23.08 (tax incl.)

Gamm Vert -nothing in the store, over priced.