I also use pure lava rock on my cattleya's. For a year I used bark based orchid mixes. The center under the plant never completely dried out. There were always rotten roots somewhere. So far they have loved it. After a year with no blooming cattleyas I have my first in spike with a three new growths sprouting on the side.
I also use clay pots with holes in the sides for rapid drying. They have done so much better for me in lava rock. Its a different story for my Phals. I have watched them slowly dehydrate in lava, so I started added some moss to the mix. So far pure lava will be the way for me with my Dendrobiums and Cattleya forever. Until I change it.
I bought a ten wor tweenty pound bag from Home Depot for 3 dollars and broke some of the pieces up for ones that I thought needed a finer mix. Then I wash them before I use them and completely flush them pots with each watering with a hose pipe, because they say it can accumulate salts more than most mixes.
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