new orchids in LECA

[jamesgang]

I have recently purchased some pretty nice plants from a grower in PR---very nice sizes for the $$$$ too.
My issue with these plants/ this grower is that they are in a mix of charcoal and LECA. I have the hardest time trying to test this medium for water content-really disturbs the roots---I know it drys really fast but maybe too fast. Most of these plants are Brassia of one type or another ...2 have just started new growths so I think I'd like to keep them in this medium untill I can get a lot more growth going but I am looking for some insight and experience JD

[philoserenus]

well if it doesnt have a reservoir, i wouldnt worry about it much. i grow almost all my plants in pure leca with and without reservoirs--phrag, paphs, phals, neo, dends, bulbo, oncidium.

for the ones without reservoirs, i would just water very freely since, like u said, it dries very quick and it holds very little moisture after all the water runs out the both. i water my non-reservoir guys pretty much everyday morning before i head off to work

[Grandma M]

Nick, do you have your neos in Leca with the reservoir or without? I love using the S/H method but haven't tried my neo crosses in it. Sounds interesting.

Marilyn