Hydroton Bottom Layer?

[Izzie]

I've been thinking of using a layer of hydroton in the bottoms of my pots. I already use a thin layer on the bottom for the ones I've repotted with success, in keeping the bottom of the pot from staying too wet, or keeping the rest of the media more humid. For example, I have a layer of hydroton in the bottom of my P. stuartiana's pot, and I keep it sitting in a little water- which wicks up to the rest of the media, and that guy has really taken off.

But what about a thicker bottom layer? Like the lower half of the pot? For someone still shaky on watering (I'm still prone to overwatering, occasionally underwatering), I was thinking this would help keep the roots happy in those larger pots.

Plus, I do want to switch to s/h eventually, but being the miser that I am, I want to use the organic media I already have first. So I thought this would be a happy 'medium'.

Thanks for the help!


ETA: I understand that this might make problems with mold and such if done incorrectly, so far I have not had a problem with that in the pots I've already done.

[billc]

I use a layer of hydroton 1 or 2 pebbles deep on all my Paphs and Phals. It keeps the media a little airier(I think). The plants seem to like it, and I don't have to worry about water sitting in the bottom of the pot.

Bill

[Izzie]

Thanks Bill, that's good to hear.

[WhiteRabbit]

I usually put some sort of 'inert' material in the bottoms of pots, and a few, when I potted and they didn't have very long roots I used a good amount of clay pot pieces - and later was worried it might have been too much - like almost half the pot - well those plants now have awesome root growth - they really seem to like it! To me how much leca in bottom would depend on how deep the plants roots currently are.