potting questions - Orchid Board

kindrag23 · #1 08-18-2013, 05:19 PM

Hello!

I am just a beginner and have 5 phals, 1 mini phal hybrid, 1 Cattleya, and 1 vanilla vine orchid. I have severe allergies and the mix I am currently using is making me miserable. Fir bark.....ugh..... I have seen posts about hydroton(?) Or plant it(?) Potting mix. Is this a good form of potting medium. I don't want to get rid of my orchids as I have come to really enjoy them. I hope I am not in the wrong forum for this question.

Thanks!

Kindrag23

svlair · #2 08-19-2013, 12:48 AM

The media typically used in S/H is expanded clay aggregate and is 100% inorganic. So unless you are allergic to the dust particles (removed by careful washing) you should be fine.

kindrag23 · #3 08-19-2013, 12:57 AM

It says its a leca clay orchid/ hydroponic growing medium? I read to wash it well before using. So hopefully it will work well. I am not sure my allergies can take much more.

---------- Post added at 10:57 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:53 PM ----------

I also know I will have to make sure and fertilize more since it will not have any organic compounds to help w that.

svlair · #4 08-19-2013, 01:24 PM

Leca is an acronym for lightweight expanded clay aggregate. Hydroton and Prime Agra are basically the same product, just slight differences in manufacturing and Prime Agra supposedly has superior wicking properties. Regarding fertilizer, yes you use it more frequently but at a much lower concentration. I use 50 ppm Nitrogen at every watering and flush with water only once a month to remove any possible salt buildup.

kindrag23 · #5 08-19-2013, 10:21 PM

Thank you. I mixed it in with some potting mix I was using. I was especially glad to do this because I found some of it had impacted at the bottom of the pots. So hopefully this will work well. My allergies are already doing better.

RosieC · #6 10-09-2013, 07:43 AM

I use Leca as a standard medium for Phals (not S/H style growing) just plant in it and water as normal.

In my temperatures S/H keeps the roots a bit too cold for Phals, but the Leca works well in the same temps if not always wet.

I grow other orchids in Leca as a S/H medium, mostly oncidium types and a Zygo. I grow a Catt in it as a standard medium. I find it works really well for me for both watering methods.