Aerangis pumilio - Orchid Board

TylerK · #1 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009, 01:18 PM

I'm hoping over the next year or two to move most of my collection over to semi-hydro based on the success I've had so far with some larger Phals and Angs. One problem has come up though...

How do you handle extremely tiny orchids in semi-hydro culture?

I have an Aerangis pumilio that I'm thinking of potting up in a large stemless wine glass. If it works I think it would look great, but I'm unsure how to proceed. With the tiny size of the plant and the very fine roots, I'm not sure how well it would work with the standard sized LECA pellets. Could I mabe crush some of them and mix in the larger chunks with some uncrushed LECA?

Tyler

s.kallima · #2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009, 01:42 PM

Mixing the size of the pellets like you say is not recommanded by Ray for different reasons, especially the air movement in the leca... (just look at his site)
You could try with small size lava rock. I have read that it is great for fine roots species like Pleuro.
I didn't try lava rock, but I have a very small (1inch) backbulb of Howeara Lava Burst growing in small hydroton (I just picked the smallest from the bag of hydroton and made sure all the pellets were around the same size). The roots are very thin but still going well into the leca.

gixrj18 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009, 07:13 PM

They do make smaller Leca, about 1/8"-1/4" in diameter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerK

I'm hoping over the next year or two to move most of my collection over to semi-hydro based on the success I've had so far with some larger Phals and Angs. One problem has come up though...

How do you handle extremely tiny orchids in semi-hydro culture?

I have an Aerangis pumilio that I'm thinking of potting up in a large stemless wine glass. If it works I think it would look great, but I'm unsure how to proceed. With the tiny size of the plant and the very fine roots, I'm not sure how well it would work with the standard sized LECA pellets. Could I mabe crush some of them and mix in the larger chunks with some uncrushed LECA?

Tyler

Ray · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009, 07:33 PM

Agreed. Most LECA sold is in the 8-16 mm cut (PrimeAgra is 10-16 to "tighten" the spread a bit), but I also have 4-10 mm stuff.

TylerK · #5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 09:43 AM

The issue is finding the smaller stuff. There's no PrimeAgra being sold anywhere around me as far as I can tell. The only stuff I've been able to find is Hydroton, which seems to be working well on my other plants. If mixing some crushed pieces in with the full sized pieces is a bad idea, then I'll likely just end up picking out the smaller bits to use.

I am intrigued about the lava rock idea though. I'm assuming I could just break up some of the BBQ stuff to the appropriate size? Or do they sell smaller pieces for horticultural use? How does in compare to LECA in terms of it's moisture retentive/wicking capability?

Tyler

Ray · #6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 10:42 AM

Lava rock wicks and holds moisture pretty well, but is prone to more rapid mineral buildup and holds contamination really well.

Grandma M · #7 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009, 03:12 PM

Buy the horticultural type.

- DO NOT

USE THE BARBEQUE STUFF.

Marilyn

Jorch · #8 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 12:43 PM

Is there a supplier for Dyna-rok in your area, Tyler? They do come in small sizes and works quite well for s/h too

TylerK · #9 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009, 01:19 PM

There's only one hydroponics store in my area that I know of, and they don't sell it. I'll have to do some checking around to see if anyone else does. At first glance, it certainly looks like an interesting product.

Tyler

Jorch · #10 (**permalink**) 07-10-2009, 01:49 AM

I've been growing most of my plants in straight Dyna-rok.. and some of them (i.e. phrags) sit in an inch of water constantly, and so far they seem to love it!