switching to S/H

[denden]

I've been reading threads about S/h for hours now. I'm planing to switch some of my chids to it . Orchid lady has help me so much for answering my question to her.
I need s/h media but the sad thing is there are no hydroton available here. is there any alternative to hydroton that has good capillary action.?

[Ron-NY]

It is also made under other brand names.
Try Googling LECA (Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) and the Phillipines...also check to see if there is any store that specializes in hydroponics...they most likely would carry it.

[denden]

thanks for the reply,it could help me a lot I'll try to look for it

[sherryr]

My uncle uses volcano rock. He has two orchid greenhouses and has used it for years. I use Hydroton, but he likes it and is successful in growing orchids.

I've been reading threads about S/h for hours now. I'm planing to switch some of my chids to it . Orchid lady has help me so much for answering my question to her.
I need s/h media but the sad thing is there are no hydroton available here. is there any alternative to hydroton that has good capillary action.?

[denden]

thanks for the help and some helpfull tips. I've been experimenting right now on making my own hydroton using raw clay and my smelting furnance,I just hope I can duplicate it .

[denden]

I have some good news on swithching to s/h,even thou there are no hydroton available hare ,I have tried miss sherry"s suggestion on using volcano rocks which I could easily get right at my job site . First I have to crush them to work able pieces and wash them, then I mix it with charchoal bits by 10 % volume. I then transfer 3 of my phals and they are doing just fine . They already start to produce new root and are very good now.

[JoeW]

Hey, way to go, Dennis!!!

[wetfeet101b]

Hi Dennis,

Volcanic rock (the red ones) would be an excellent alternative to commercial hydroponic and LECA pellets. Just crush them into smaller pieces to match the size of LECA pellets.
I find that the black volcanic rock is too dense and too smooth to properly wick up the water and does not perform as well as the red ones.

In a pinch, you could also use broken pieces of the red clay pot (paso). They are excellent in wicking up water and provide even distribution of the water.

I hope this helps.

[denden]

wow thanks, I use the red ones , they are readily available in here and they hsve excelent capillary action . I do crush them (even my fingers hehe). the phals use to be in coco chips and charcoal ,they tend to be slow in growing so I have search for better ways to speed up the development. they are doing good on s/h and it took only a week to see new roots to come up. thanks any way

[dawn_green]

vulcanic rock ??? the red ones and black ones ??? i thought vulcanic rock = pumice, that are as big as your fists and floats in the water. Could you show some picture of this vulcanic rock ??? If those things are also available here (in jakarta) and cheaper than hydroton, I think I should follow your example