Phrag Bessae in Leca

[ladyslipper]

Hi all, I have been considering puttin my Phrag Bessae (species) in the Leca medium I have just bought. My reasoning is that with the Leca, the roots would be more likely not to dry out. I admit my stand is so crowded right now, I am afraid someone may not be watered as well as they should be. Rest assured fellow orchidifiles, I am selling off or giving away plants I no longer want but this may take a bit of time.

Any thoughts on the Bessae and the Leca medium? I know I have to soak the pellets beforehand but should I change the ferilizing schedule now that they are in what is essentially s&h? Every once and awhile, I put a "dash" of tap water in with my RO water.

[Tom_in_PA]

They will do great in leca if grown s/h. I grow all my phrags s/h but not in leca. I grow them in a chc/charcoal/sponge rock/sphag moss mix standing in a tray of water.

[slipperfreak]

I agree with Tom; Phrag besseae is a wet grower and loves s/h. LECA is a great medium to use in s/h, and I know several people who have used it with great success. I am just starting with LECA with some of my Phrags now and am finding it works well.

[ladyslipper]

Hi guys, thanks for the info! Very encouraging; but tell me, did you change your watering schedule at all with the medium that you changed to? I am specifically interested in Slipperfreaks answer as my concern is with using LECA. Do you still have the pots standing in a saucer of water?

thanks

[slipperfreak]

Originally Posted by ladyslipper

Hi guys, thanks for the info! Very encouraging; but tell me, did you change your watering schedule at all with the medium that you changed to? I am specifically interested in Slipperfreaks answer as my concern is with using LECA. Do you still have the pots standing in a saucer of water?

thanks

Yep, all my Phrags grow in saucers of water (except the caudatum types). I find the LECA dries out faster than rockwool (which is the other medium I use) so I have a deeper reservoir (2-3" compared to 1").

Joe