hydroponic orchids / transplanting

[tenhills]

Hi,
I haven't heard anyone mention that before transplanting to Leca, the pebbles should be soaked completely before transplanting. I read that only once and have not heard it here. It sounds like a good idea to me. Anyone have a thought?
Tenhills

[isurus79]

Ray has some pretty good ideas on this topic. Check out this link: Presoaking Media I think you will find what you are looking for.

[NewBloom]

Ray's website recommends soaking the pebbles overnight or for 24 hours prior to potting the plants. If you visit his the firstrays.com site you'll find various articles about it.

[emmastone]

Orchids can be classified into two groups; terrestrial and epiphytic terrestrial woring on orchids that grow in leaves and debri on the forest floor or on the side of a rock or tree and epiphytic orchids that hang from trees and grow in the open air with their roots exposed). Terrestrial orchids, those that grow in the ground or attach themselves to a rock or tree, are commonly grown in pots.

[magicatt]

I rinse my pebbles till the water runs clear, then I soak them overnight in my "brew" (fertilizer, kln, epsom salt).

[Ray]

The effectiveness of the soaking is determined by the physical properties of the medium. Those with very fine porosity throughout will saturate faster, so don't have to be soaked as long.

I have seem PrimeAgra become quite saturated in an hour or so, while other brands have shown some pellets still floating after 24. (That may vary not only brand-to-brand, but lot-to-lot within a brand, too.)

If the pellets are not thoroughly saturated prior to use, they continue to suck liquid towards their interiors, rather than releasing it to the plants. After a few weeks of extra watering, that balances out, but I think it's less stressful for the plants if they don't have to go through that.