what is Light Expanded Clay Agragate

[wconan]

I see some one on the web using Light Expanded Clay Agragate for their orchids, I like to know what is it, and does it work will with cymbidium orchids, or epidendrum?

[jay]

wconan,

See this thread.

Jay

[wconan]

ok when using a LECA can you just have hole at the bottom to let the water run out? I see that you have a drainage hole one inch above the hole. I grow my orchid outside and don't want my root to sit in water.

[tom499]

The idea is you fill the bottom inch with the clay balls, then put the plant in.

The plant when wont have its roots in water unless it grows down to there, but the expanded clay keeps it aired so rot shouldnt occur.

[sandra]

wconan, you can use the LECA both ways, as a medium to pot plants in using regular pots with the holes on the bottom which leaves the plant in no standing water or, the semi-hydroponic way which is keeping about 1&1/2 inches of water at the bottom of the pot. I was recently told that the roots should not sit in water but I'm still a little confused about that because I've read otherwise. I was told that when the roots do reach where the water is sitting, to then start using the LECA as you would any other medium. I have several plants now in LECA using the s/h method and also as a medium with a little sphag on top. I just, a few moments ago checked my 2 sick phals (which had one root, each and were repotted into LECA) and found one of the phals is now growing a new leaf. Needless to say, I've been extremely impressed with the results.