LECA for Oncidium & Vuylstekeara

[MateoinLosAngeles]

Has anyone successfully grown thinly rooted orchids in LECA?

I currently have an Oncidium and a Vuylstekeara potted in a mix of bark and Sphagnum moss. I don't want to disturb them more than necessary so next spring I'd like to repot them in inert media: LECA mixed with Rock Wool 50/50.

S/H works well in my climate for Phals but the evaporation is faster than the wicking so I want to find an alternative for these moisture loving plants.

My plan is to try a couple of things:

– For the Oncidiums plant them in terracotta pots that I can place on water-filled saucers to keep the moisture up between full waterings.

– For the Vuyl my plan is to test out a Europen style self-watering pot. Basically a net pot inside a normal pot with a water reservoir and a wicking thread at the bottom. The idea is that the evaporative cooling of the reservoir will keep the plant cooler.