What plants are LECA balls good for?
These little spheres soak up water and slowly release moisture to the roots, making them a popular choice for semi-hydroponic plant care. Whether you’re growing monsteras, pothos, or even orchids, LECA balls offer a cleaner, low-maintenance alternative to soil, reducing the risk of root rot and pests. Leca = less water worries (and less root rot! The clay balls absorb water from the bottom up, yet remain full of oxygen at the same time thanks to all those tiny bubbles of air created when the clay was baked (like an Aero chocolate bar), so roots can take up only what water they need, with less risk of root rot.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.
How often should I change my LECA water?
Flushing LECA plants You’ll need to flush your LECA plants on a monthly basis. Minerals will build up over time around the plant roots and LECA and could mess up the way your plant absorbs water and nutrients. To flush the LECA, simply hold the plant and net pot under running water for a few minutes. 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.
How long do LECA clay balls last?
Leca can be reused over and over and when using it for your plants you just need to rinse it or flush it at least once a month to clean off the mineral build up from water and nutrients. CONS OF USING LECA:- Now Leca has it’s set of disadvantages. No nutrition- Leca is a soilless medium and doesn’t provide any nutrition to the plants. Hence regular feeding is necessary for optimal plant growth.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.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 are good to grow in Leca? Plant families often grown in Leca include Monstera, Sansevieria, ZZ Plants, Alocasia, Spider Plants, Syngonium, Orchid and Begonia.
How long should I let LECA soak?
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! Place the needed amount of LECA in a plastic bucket. Fill with water, swish it around and dump it – that will help get rid of the dust, and some of the surface residues. Refill the bucket with clear water, and add about a teaspoon per gallon each of calcium nitrate and magnesium sulfate (Epsom Salts).