Self-watering pots with leca
Has anyone else been using self-watering pots with leca? About a year ago, I gradually started switching all my plants to this method, and I couldn't be happier.
I use DIY pots with a regular flowerpot inside that sits snugly inside a deeper ceramic pot. I crisscross two microfiber wicks, cut from a microfiber mop head, across the bottom of the pot. The microfiber is very wicking and keeps the bottom of the pot very moist. The leca does the rest.
To prevent the top layer of leca from desiccating surface roots, I use a top layer of gravel, which is non-wicking and also slows evaporation, stabilizes wobbly plants, and makes it easier to hold stakes in place. (Got this trick on Youtube, and it works great.)
Every time I water, I fill both pots with plain water and let it soak for 15 minutes to soak out organic matter and fertilizer salts. Then I dump this and refill the reservoir with fertilizer water. This is not much work, because I only have to water once every 3-4 weeks.
I've been doing this with phalaenopsis, cattleyas, oncidiums, dendrobiums, zygos, miltoniopsis, and even vandas, and I have yet to lose a plant. Problems have been minimal--some fungus acquired during our hot, humid summers, but that's about it. (This also works with gesneriads and other houseplants.)
Hope this inspires someone else to give it a try.
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