S/H giving up

[allla]

I have a question about SH... why or better said what are the differences between bark and LECA?
I wanted to use bark as you use LECA for SH, why would that not work?

Another question... if my pot (glass) has no holes, is it terribly wrong for SH?

Should I leave no water in it at the bottom and just soak now and then the plant in bark (also no holes at the bottom but glass jar)?

my phals grow like this in bark 40mm pieces and glass jars with no holes, I soak them for 5h when the water dries out completely and then remove all water and wait for the next dry out. They grow well like this.

Other orchids seem to not like this method (or my bark is too small for Nelly Isler and Miltoniopsis?) but the bark I use on them is medium to small pine chips.

Is there anyone who has success with Nelly Isler/miltoniopsis in bark only? How?

[Corsetière]

Allla, bark is organic, so it will eventually break down. We use the fired clay because it will not decompose like plant material (bark, coco husk, etc) will.

You need the holes so you can flush the orchid and LECA with water. If there is no way for broken down plant material and salts to escape, the plant may be ok for a while but eventually it will probably sicken and won't thrive. I drill my glass pots with a special diamond drill bit and they work great this way!

Lots more info on S/H here: Semi-hydroponics Orchid Plants T5 Lighting

[allla]

I know next to nothing about LECA and I am just happy to learn more.
Thank you!

[Ray]

Allla - LECA is lightweight expanded clay aggregate - basically the same material as a clay flower pot, but in pellet form. It's use as a potting medium originated in Europe, and there are many brands available - Hydroton, Hydrocorn, HydroKorrels, and probably the best one in Europe, Hydro-Rokz out of Holland.

I developed the technique for orchid growing, and the info Corsetiere was referring to (using a dead link) is HERE.

[allla]

Great info! I am really curious...