Transferring C. aclandiae Seedling to Basket

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Originally Posted by galguibra

Your point about the pH is well-taken, but I actually got the idea from some other growers who've been growing Zygopetala and some other related genera in LECA long-term! I did a really obnoxiously long cleaning processing on the LECA including a lot of boils and soaks in distilled water, and the last time I soaked it, the TDS came out to ~10ppm after several days. Could've gone further, but at that point it seemed like diminishing returns. The LECA definitely still raises the pH of the nutrient solution as it wicks, but I did a series of initial tests before potting up the seedling and I've been pHing it down extra low at ~5.5 to start, like in DWC, so that it'll stabilize in the range of 6-6.5.

So, what benefit does LECA have to justify such a strenuous prep? Or are you doing it for fun/experimenting?