s/h question

[exasperatus2002]

I had asked my local nursery earlier in the year, if they carried leca in stock since I didnt see it on their website so I can try to convert some of my collection over s/h. They said that they dont carry s/h supplies & dont recommend it. From their experience, the orchids seem to stall out after 1 year in the stuff. I had my only experience with s/h from a Psychopsis I bought in a 2" pot at a show. I had to repot it in bark since it outgrew the pot.

1. Has anyone had similar experiences like this while growing in s/h?
2. Do you notice a quicker growth rate using s/h over standard orchid mixes?
3. Do you tend to have less fungal problems with s/h since you can control the moisture levels better then with bark mixes?
4. Is there anything I should have asked that I didnt? there was something else I wanted to add but cant remember it at the moment.

[jay]

Well, I have only been using S/H for nearly a year. I have all of my orchids (except seedlings) in S/H. My first plants to go into S/H nearly a year ago are all in growth. My phal just finished flowering and is growing a new leaf. My Oncidium is putting it's 5th and 6th growths of the year out. And my 2 Catts are both in sheath, producing new growths and new roots.

I guess I will let you know at the end of the summer, or maybe next year. I know this doesn't help you now, but that is as far back as I have been using S/H.