Has anyone used Higromite?

[Ray]

I think the lighter color reflects light better, making for a better growing environment. Several years ago, as an experiment when I first speculated that, I put a piece of wood in my GH, painted white at one end and brown at the other. Whenever I watered, the board got doused. Algae grew on the white end really well; much slower on the brown.

Generally speaking, the only problem with algae - other than aesthetics - is if it is allowed to grow so densely that it chokes off air flow. It will do no direct harm to the plants.

[Ray]

The only algae preventive I've ever used besides Physan was household chlorine bleach at one ounce per gallon.

[Jerry Delaney]

I hadn't considered that Ray, but it makes sense. I haven't really been that worried about it harming the seedlings plus I really don't like to change things too much once I have make a commitment. I know some who add Physan to their water/fertilizer mix every watering. I suppose I should catch up with the times, but my first exposure to quants was some 60 years ago and I imagine they have changed considerably over the years in effectiveness. I always called them a very good psychological agent!!

[Orchidbyte]

I found the higromite product at a local Hydroponics store along with the perma agra(round Clay things or as the wife calls them Coco Puffs) they also have bark like chunks of coconut husk.

I have found that mixes in different ratios of the above depending on the type of orchid works well, I have stronger root and better plant now then before and I have only been using for about 5 months and I am sold.

The coconut helps to hold more moister but it will not stay wet like bark, I have alot of mounted orchids whice hang above the potted stuff and the mounts need water every day so the pots would get a little to much, but now the water drains and just the right amount gets held for plant use.

Another product that has helped is a water filter system that was simple to install and inexpensive called the Gard'N gro, it is a great water filter simple, removes 95% of chlorine and minerals.

[Ray]

Assuming it was a typo, I can guarantee you didn't get PrimeAgra at a hydroponics store. Some other brand of LECA, sure, but not that one.

I would recommend against mixing organic materials in the medium for semi-hydroponics. Eventually it will decompose, defeating one of the big advantages of the cultural technique.

The Gard'n Gro removes a lot of chlorine, but really does nothing to affect the dissolved mineral content of water.

[Watermiser]

I realize I am a bit late for this discussion, but just joined the group. First, some disclosure. I am a distributor of Lassenite and not an orchid grower. Lassenite is the same material as Higromite from the same supplier, Western Pozzolan Corp. I am the Canadain importer of record. I agree that some of the "claims" made on the Higromite website are not backed by research. This what I can tell you about tbis material that is backed by research. It has a superior moisture release curve compared to calcined clays, zeolites and diatomaceous earth products. It does not attract or retain salts. It has a degradation rate of <2% over 20 years as established by the USGA. It will hold in excess of 100% of its weight in water, and even when fully charged with water retains on average 15% to 20% non-capillary pore space.The key to its performance as a soil amendment and growing medium is the size of its pore spaces. Anecdotally, I have one orchid grower tell me it has become her medium of choice because her plants just simply do better when she uses it. She is a self professed orchid rescuer, who takes in sick and dying plants abandoned by their owners and restores them to health. Lassenite is all she will use. Please visit my website, www.lassenite.com to view the science behind these claims.

Regards,
Bernie Neufeld
AquaFirst Technologies Inc.

[chromebright]

When I decided to start growing in S/H about 5 months ago I bought a bag of PrimeAgra from First Rays and a bag of Higromite from another vendor. I have about half my non-mounted orchids in each medium (25 in each). I refill the containers with 75ppm N in RO water and then once a month use straight RO water for about a week to rinse out the salts. I grow in a grow tent with a 400W HID lamp and a circulation fan on 24/7. The temperature range in the tent is about 20 degrees (60-80F) and the humidity is 47-60%.

I have nearly all my paphs and phrags in S/H, several phals, dendrobiums, oncs, dendrochilum, brassavola, brassia and several "noids" as well.

There is absolutely no difference that I can detect in the growth habits of the orchids in the two media.
I have not lost any orchids in S/H, either in Prime Agra or Higromite. All seem to be thriving in both.

Which do I personally prefer? I prefer the Higromite because it just looks better to me and I kind of like the green coating of fine algae on the topmost Higromite rocks.

Ken