Looking for advice on orchidarium for Paphs and Phrags

[varda.elentari]

Thank you kindly!

I didn't think about potential excess water so thank you for pointing that out. What if I use 2" of gravel instead, then medium (with netting underneath so that it doesn't mix with the gravel)? Any pros or cons to either method?

[orion141]

Originally Posted by varda.elentari

Thank you kindly!

I didn't think about potential excess water so thank you for pointing that out. What if I use 2" of gravel instead, then medium (with netting underneath so that it doesn't mix with the gravel)? Any pros or cons to either method?

I (and I think many others) have used LECA (lightweight expanded clay aggregate) rather than gravel for this purpose. I think it helps to wick moisture, etc more efficiently than gravel (although I’m sure Ray may be able to explain more than I) among other benefits. Amazon and NEHERP sell leca for relatively cheap. In essence you are exactly correct: leca, then a screen material to keep the substrate out of the leca and then your substrate. Check out neherp for some pretty great tutorials for how to do this (again I would ignore the part about leaf litter, etc as you aren’t housing frogs).