What Type of LECA do You Use? - Page 2 - Orchid Board

Hedge · #11 04-29-2010, 06:20 PM

I have one plant growing in Leca, it was one I thought was going to die,and I decided to investigate this method using a pot with holes I made about a quarter of the way up from the base, an old yogurt pot to be exact. The Dendrobium, far from dying, has flowered and is thriving, growing two new canes. I wish I could get Prime Agra cheaply, but instead I am using one which floats, which has caused stability problems, but that is improving as the roots grow. The pot is based on Ray's design, and I water every day or so, and flush once a week before feeding.

I think the type of Leca one uses will be governed by availability and cost, and I am sure that there are lots of pros and cons. What I will say is - do try it as a method of plant raising - this Dendro would be dead otherwise

expressmailtome · #12 04-29-2010, 07:44 PM

Thank you for all of these ideas and the help!

Matt

johnblagg · #13 04-29-2010, 08:56 PM

plain old hydrotron for me ...just because I had some on hand .Pots are any thing sturdy enough not to flex when I pick them up "coffee containers" and that I can melt a hole in at the level I like.

TylerK · #14 04-29-2010, 11:06 PM

I use hydroton, like Jerry said, because my local hydroponics store keeps it in stock, and while I've considered trying other types, shipping costs are somewhat prohibitive.

Currently I have close to 30 orchids in it now and have had no problems so far except for the Paphs for some reason. Started with s/h about two years ago, and I'm probably going to transfer over about 10 more orchids this year.

Tyler

Brotherly Monkey · #15 04-30-2010, 04:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DelawareJim

Izzie;

I think if you plan to use it as part of a mix to add a non-decomposing portion that provides some aeriation it doesn't matter what brand you use and the hydroton should work as well as any other. It's just like adding charcoal or perlite.

But if you are thinking about growing in hydroton with a portion of something organic added to the hydroton, you're looking for trouble by clogging up the air spaces.

I know an orchid grower who uses straight hydroton to grow his Masdevallias in the traditional manner in 4 inch plastic pots with great success. They're in a greenhouse and get watered every day though.

Cheers.
Jim

Jim, out of curiosity, what are her temps like, and is she running any type of misting system, that might add additional water to the media, between waterings??

Htsorchid · #16 05-03-2010, 01:12 PM

I have been looking on your website ray, where is the Best place to buy PrimeAgra and or the better LECA types for S/H? I can only find these sort of things on the internet, when it comes to common LECA and or Hydroton.

trdyl · #17 05-03-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Htsorchid

I have been looking on your website ray, where is the Best place to buy PrimeAgra and or the better LECA types for S/H? I can only find these sort of things on the internet, when it comes to common LECA and or Hydroton.

Ray sells it. His company, First Rays Orchids, maybe the only place that sells PrimeAgra now in the States. Here is a link:

https://www.firstrays.com/cgi/cart/c...exact_match=on

DelawareJim · #18 05-03-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brotherly Monkey

Jim, out of curiosity, what are her temps like, and is she running any type of misting system, that might add additional water to the media, between waterings??

He's located in Leesburg, VA and has a basic poly hoop house. No misting, but he uses a swamp cooler which I know boosts humidity.

Al's Orchid Greenhouse

Cheers.
Jim