SH with lava rock or leca vs epiweb

[Jeff9]

I've been researching a bit and i have a few questions.

I'd like to use lava rock in S/H as i've done it with LECA before but in my humble opinion it looks hideous as i'd rather pot my plants up in some more natural looking material.
So my question is does anyone have any experience with Lavarock vs LECA in terms of effectiveness and any negative effects of using LR?

Also, is it necessary to use nutrients when doing SH, from reading on the forums its not easy to come by in my country (Netherlands) so maybe Epiweb might be a more viable alternative?

Another thing i was wondering is the performance of Epiweb versus SH, from what i read SH is not possible with Epiweb because it doesn't have any wicking abilities.

However, Epiweb does keep your plants moist by trapping water droplets in the web and it's impossible to over water.
So how is Epiweb opposed to SH and is Epiweb a proper material to use on all orchid species?

[Ray]

Lava rock is an acceptable alternative, although it tends to trap minerals and crud really well, so will need periodic replacement not usually seen with LECA.

EpiWeb and EcoWeb are substitutes for tree fern. They are used primarily for mounting plants, so if your conditions and watering habits are up to it, give it a try. You're correct that they hold water interstitially, but don't wick well, so the water has to be actively applied, unlike S/H culture, which relies on capillary action. That also means that, chopped-up, they can be used as a nice, airy medium.

[Jeff9]

Originally Posted by Ray

Lava rock is an acceptable alternative, although it tends to trap minerals and crud really well, so will need periodic replacement not usually seen with LECA.

EpiWeb and EcoWeb are substitutes for tree fern. They are used primarily for mounting plants, so if your conditions and watering habits are up to it, give it a try. You're correct that they hold water interstitially, but don't wick well, so the water has to be actively applied, unlike S/H culture, which relies on capillary action. That also means that, chopped-up, they can be used as a nice, airy medium.

So what if i would place some living sphagnum to grow over the top of a pot for example? Wouldnt S/H kill the sphag because of the wicking when you water the plant with fertilizer? Would it work if i add a layer of diffrent material with no wicking capabilities and allow the spaghnum to grow over that?

Also another question, in the S/H culture threads people often talk about nutrients, nutrients = fertilizer?

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by Jeff9

Also another question, in the S/H culture threads people often talk about nutrients, nutrients = fertilizer?

Yes

Al

[Ray]

Fertilizer will kill the sphag, not s/h culture.

[Jkelee]

I've been using Lava rock, with no issues, great growing. I use clean water often to wash out the bad that might get caught up.

[Bird Song Farm]

Originally Posted by Jkelee

I've been using Lava rock, with no issues, great growing. I use clean water often to wash out the bad that might get caught up.

Me too.

Al

[Jeff9]

Originally Posted by Ray

Fertilizer will kill the sphag, not s/h culture.

No, what i meant was wouldnt the wicking cause the fertilizer to reach the sphag

[shadytrake]

I ran out of Hydroton and 2 flasks arrived so I made do with lava rock and some sphag interspersed.

What luck! It turned out to be the right combination for compots.

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...hp?photo=25717

http://www.orchidboard.com/community...hp?photo=25718