Prime Agra question... - Orchid Board

cb977 · #1 07-07-2006, 11:20 AM

can prime agra be used for terrestrial 'chids, such as ludisia and phaiocalanthe?

Oscarman · #2 07-10-2006, 12:17 PM

Do you mean S/H culture and using prime-agra? I have heard some growers using p-a, but not in S/H culture. Have no experience with either genus and limited/new experience with S/H. From what I understand only Tolumnias don't do S/H.

cb977 · #3 07-10-2006, 05:56 PM

Hi Dave,
I'm not actually doing s/h, just using prime agra for some of my plants until I see what the result is. Then, if I like it, I'll be switching over everything.
I did hear from Ray on this and he says it's being used for everything, including regular plants!

Maba · #4 07-11-2006, 06:57 PM

I have some catts in primeagra as media (not s/h culture). Any way of knowing what the internal moistness is? The skewer method I usually use doesn't seem to work well with this stuff.

cb977 · #5 07-11-2006, 09:09 PM

Hi Maba,
I only got started on this a few days ago so I kow nothing yet. It will be a learning process as I go along.
If I make any interesting discoveries, I'll be sure to post them.

Tindomul · #6 07-11-2006, 11:21 PM

Sue I use LECA, nearly identical to Prime Agra, for good drainage purposes in my vivariums where I grow a very wide array of terrestrial tropical plants. If I were to get terrestrial orchids like Ludisia, Macodes, they would be planted in this medium, actually first Prime Agra at the bottom then ontop another type of substrate in which goes the plant.

cb977 · #7 07-14-2006, 07:01 PM

Tin, I did a number of my 'chids in prime agra from Ray's.
I located a local vendor who carries aliflor, which is similar, and I've now done some in that. I am feeling a little experimental and have been thinking of doing my terrestrials in it, but I'm not sure what I should add to it.
Do you think moss is a good idea? I don't usually use moss for anything other than my mounted 'chids but if I mixed some in with the aliflor, I might get the effect I'm looking for.
By the way, whatever medium I ever decide to use...it all goes into clear pots! I love them!!!

Ray · #8 07-22-2006, 12:46 PM

IF you use a decent-quality LECA in a clear plastic pot, the moisture coming from the medium will usually condense on the pot wall, unless you check it when it's really hot, that's why I do so in the morning. No condensation - time to water.

cb977 · #9 07-22-2006, 12:52 PM

Hi Ray

The no-condensation - time-to-water system is just what I've started using! I absolutely love clear pots
and switching away from bark is the best thing I've done, I think

It's much easier to care for them when you can see what's going on inside.

Marleneann · #10 07-24-2006, 07:56 AM

I am going to try this Semi-Hydroponic Culture.

I have just planted an Angraecum didieri in some
prime agra. (I think that is what it is called)
I have the water up to about an inch or so from the bottom of the pot.
I am not too sure of the fertilizer or quantities that I should be giving it...so here goes with the experiment.

Marleneann.