Are you supposed to soak LECA balls?
Soak, rinse, and soak the leca balls. Soak the leca balls for one hour, rinse the leca balls in a colander to let the excess dust and residue fall through, then soak the leca in water for 6 hours. Rinse the leca balls through a colander once more prior to using the leca with your plants. Soak the LECA for 24 hours using tap water / hose water. This first soak will get the first wave of the crud out of the LECA. For extra lazy mode, just let the first soak go on for2+ days and now you can use your LECA!Soak, rinse, and soak the leca balls. Soak the leca balls for one hour, rinse the leca balls in a colander to let the excess dust and residue fall through, then soak the leca in water for 6 hours. Rinse the leca balls through a colander once more prior to using the leca with your plants.
Do LECA balls need drainage?
Since LECA balls do not hold water like soil, you’ll need pots and planters with no drainage hole (like a glass container) if you’re using a water reservoir method. If you’re going for a more traditional setup, a drainage pot works too—just make sure it suits your plant’s watering needs. When prepping a plant to be moved into LECA, its best to clean off the organic materials as best as you can. This will allow the plant roots to make direct contact with LECA. Once the root adapts to the environment, it will adhere to the LECA to draw moisture when it’s needed.The Perks of LECA When LECA balls are packed into the growing container, they sit on each other with plenty of air pockets, promoting healthy plant and root growth. On the other hand, soil tends to compress over time, losing its air pockets and aeration capacity, which means you need to replace it more often.One of the reasons cleaning roots is so important is because any dirt that is in contact with the roots will cause excess moisture in the LECA environment and can cause root rot.
How to use LECA balls with soil?
LECA can be used in place of soil or mixed in with soil, and placing 1-2 inches of LECA at the bottom of your plants can help retain water and keep the roots healthy. For those who enjoy rooting plant clippings in water, try adding some LECA to the jar for even stronger and healthier roots! Succulents and Cacti: These water-efficient plants, known for their ability to store water in their leaves or stems, generally perform well in LECA due to their fast-draining properties, which help prevent overwatering.Growing in a semi-hydroponics setup is an ideal environment for succulents as long as you follow the correct way of transitioning them from soil or cutting to LECA. Here are some of the benefits of growing your succulents in LECA: Reduced risk of pests. Easier plant care.Potting up your plants in LECA The water level must only fill about 1/4 of the cache pot. The plant roots can’t touch the water or this will lead to root rot.The Pitfalls of LECA If the plants have sturdy roots and come from an airy soil mix, they are easier to switch, while plants with finer roots may have trouble adapting. Also, larger plants may not grow to their maximum size if planted in LECA and may have trouble supporting themselves.
What plants do well in LECA balls?
What plants are good to grow in Leca? Plant families often grown in Leca include Monstera, Sansevieria, ZZ Plants, Alocasia, Spider Plants, Syngonium, Orchid and Begonia. Tropical epiphytic plants like Hoyas, Philodendrons and Monsteras, that have large soft foliage and take to LECA really well because it kind of mimics that [environment], she says. If you’re propagating cuttings, I like to use LECA for Hoya cuttings and the speed at which the roots grow, is quite phenomenal.