Volcanic Red Lava Rock as S/H media

[rodrigo]

I've been reading on S/H for orchids, and I really want to try it.

As a matter of fact, I just finished re-potting 2 cattleya mericlone seedlings I bought at a recent Orchid Show in S/H but using Red Volcanic Rock as the medium.

You see, over here we do not have access to the baked ceramic stuff, but we have plenty of this type of cheap lava rock and they sell it in different sizes.

Because of the extreme heat that this material went through when it was in lava form, it is extremely porous and absorbs lots of water.

It is used extensively around here for hydroponic operations on vegetables and the lot.

Mixed with charcoal (50-50) it is my favorite substrate for Cymbidiums. Works very well.

I just want to know if somebody else has tried it on a S/H operation. Any pros and cons?

Thanks,

Rodrigo