Very informative video. Thank you. I feel much more confident towards saving my newly purchased philodendron Rambo in a hydro system. It's in a bad way, and I'm confused by the pot even. The substrate is chalky chunky stones. Pretty sure it's not perlite unless you can buy that stuff in a 1-2cm size?! It has fungus gnats and exposed roots are dry and.... well.... dead. I'm going to strip it from the pot and follow all your instructions that you gave here. Fingers crossed for Phillipa 😅 Thank you again for making this video
Best wishes for 2023, I’ve just recently found your channel and done a bit of binge watching to learn more about growing in leca. You’ve been very helpful and I thank you for providing great information.
I do use a colander to rinse leca. But the guy at the hydroponic store just pokes some holes in the bottom of the bag, then one hole in the top, sticks the hose in the bag and let it run for a while until the water out the bottom comes out clear. Not so easy in the winter time, but in the summer it's a great way to rinse the entire bag in one shot. After rinsing, I soak the leca overnight with a tsp of epsom salts and a couple drops of either SuperThrive or KLN. Then drain and plant.
One question, though. For how long do you sterilize the leca before rinsing it and potting it? I've read comments that say the soak should be between 12-24 hrs but since we sterilizing it, does that shorten the window.?
Thanks for the leca tips! I just started using leca in the last 4 months and my 2 Monsteras have put out 2 new leaves on each plant. But I don’t really know what I’m doing !
It was great to meet you in SJ today. I’m excited to embark on this LECA journey. I have a feeling I’m going to spend quite a bit of time digging into all your videos! Good luck in SF tomorrow!! -allison
Yes please come! LA this Saturday in Hollywood 1/7/22 : 755 N Highland, Los Angeles, CA 90038 Make sure to grab a spot on the VIP list so you get first choice of plants. You can dm @prettyingreenplants on instagram or text us (310)929-0855
Have you tried the perlite/ leca mix with. No drainage? I was looking for info on this mix exactly cause I have been considering it. Seems like anthurium like that cozy feeling like pon has. But didnt want to buy a ton of new ingredients so thought adding perlite or pumice might do the trick
Hello and a successful new year for you and everyone here! I have a question. I don't know if you talk about it in a video. I try it. (sorry for my english). What is better for tropical Plants or Monstera/Syngonium/Anthurium/Philodendron. Plant Light above the plant, or in a vertical way? I see you use above, but it move also. I have a Lamp that send the light from a vertical / side way. I consider to buy me clips to bring it higher on the wall. I see from other plantfluencer they use vertical lamps. Please help me to find the best solution. And i hope you understand what i want to ask haha. 😄
Hey! Thank you for the kind words! For vertical lighting, check out LED 4 foot lighting bars from Barrina or other industrial lighting companies. A mixture of 4k and 6500k coloring should work great! I hope this answers your question! 😄
I think that should be ok-just be mindful of how much water the bark will retain. Not sure of the ph. Nearly any type of porous rock is great for semi hydro
Would you happen to know if some grow lights, like the cheaper ones, are fake? I mean, are they just plain led? Should a good grow light get hot ? I notice that my more expensive lights get hot and the cheap ones never do, even after being on 24 hrs straight
LEDs shouldn’t get very hot. The cheaper ones will use a less expensive LED chip which will be less efficient at using energy, and create the heat you’re talking about. The more efficient a LED chip is, the less energy will be lost to heat, instead of made into light. But I agree, my cheap Barrina LEDs from Amazon don’t get very hot, while my expensive $300 lights get pretty hot to the touch 🤷🏼♂️ The only metric I look for is visible light created per watt of energy used. Hope this helps!
Great question! I’ve heard of nearly every plant doing well in LECA! It’s just about getting down the correct moisture content in the Leca for the different types of plants. Example: Hoyas, and succulents need much less water, and have a finer root. So maybe try some Pon mixed in together to mimic a desert like soil
Your info is the BEST! Many thanks, you helpped me save my Thai Constelation, Albo monstera and varigated adonsonii.
This was very informative, thank you!!
I’m new to LECA growing and really appreciate your great information. Thank you!
Very informative video. Thank you. I feel much more confident towards saving my newly purchased philodendron Rambo in a hydro system. It's in a bad way, and I'm confused by the pot even. The substrate is chalky chunky stones. Pretty sure it's not perlite unless you can buy that stuff in a 1-2cm size?! It has fungus gnats and exposed roots are dry and.... well.... dead.
I'm going to strip it from the pot and follow all your instructions that you gave here.
Fingers crossed for Phillipa 😅
Thank you again for making this video
🎊Happy New Year 🎉
Happy New Year!!!!
Best wishes for 2023, I’ve just recently found your channel and done a bit of binge watching to learn more about growing in leca. You’ve been very helpful and I thank you for providing great information.
This is great to hear! So glad it’s helpful! Appreciate you 🙌
I do use a colander to rinse leca. But the guy at the hydroponic store just pokes some holes in the bottom of the bag, then one hole in the top, sticks the hose in the bag and let it run for a while until the water out the bottom comes out clear. Not so easy in the winter time, but in the summer it's a great way to rinse the entire bag in one shot. After rinsing, I soak the leca overnight with a tsp of epsom salts and a couple drops of either SuperThrive or KLN. Then drain and plant.
This is a pro level tip. On 🎯
Genius!
Thankyou for this content. I am new to using Leca and appreciate your content.
Thank you for the kind comment!! I appreciate you watching 😄
hey thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience on these plants. The tips you give are very well explained and super helpful.
So happy you found them useful 😄
One question, though. For how long do you sterilize the leca before rinsing it and potting it? I've read comments that say the soak should be between 12-24 hrs but since we sterilizing it, does that shorten the window.?
Good stuff!!!
Appreciate you Rocco!
Just started using Leca, thanks for the info it’s very helpful and makes me feel confident in what I’m doing!
Happy to help!! LECA is one of the best mediums all things considered 😄
Good tips. Thanks for sharing. Happy New Year!
Thank you!! Happy New Year Carol 🤗
Thanks for the leca tips! I just started using leca in the last 4 months and my 2 Monsteras have put out 2 new leaves on each plant. But I don’t really know what I’m doing !
That sounds like you're doing all the right things then!!! Keep it up :)
It was great to meet you in SJ today. I’m excited to embark on this LECA journey. I have a feeling I’m going to spend quite a bit of time digging into all your videos! Good luck in SF tomorrow!! -allison
Thank you for coming today, Allison! It was great to meet you! Please let me know if you need any clarifying help on LECA 😄 Hope to see you again soon
Like your channel, just started following you in October 2023🪴
Happy New year 🎈🍾
Happy New Year!!!
Omg so excited I think I might go to the LA and OC shows!
Yes please come! LA this Saturday in Hollywood 1/7/22 : 755 N Highland, Los Angeles, CA 90038
Make sure to grab a spot on the VIP list so you get first choice of plants. You can dm @prettyingreenplants on instagram or text us (310)929-0855
I’ve learned a lot from this channel. Happy new year🎉
Love to hear this!! Happy new year! 🙌
I'll definitely try to come to your Vegas show!
Yes please do!! 😊
Enjoyed the info, cause I wanted to know how to sterilize my leca I'm new at this. Thkxs
Thank you for all of the great information. Happy New Year!!
Thank you Joann!! Happy New Year!
I love leca and put it in my aroid soil mix
That’s a great idea to add more drainage
Are you ever in south Florida?
Have you tried the perlite/ leca mix with. No drainage? I was looking for info on this mix exactly cause I have been considering it. Seems like anthurium like that cozy feeling like pon has. But didnt want to buy a ton of new ingredients so thought adding perlite or pumice might do the trick
This is a really great idea! And I agree that Anthurium like the Pon like substrate! Try it out!!
How do you rinse the bleach to ensure that none is left in the clay? Should ypu soak overnight
Yup I rinse the bleach off
Will you be coming to or near Kentucky?
Would love to! Kinda thinking like Nashville? Not sure if that’s too far of a drive 😅
Can I change my monsteras from soil to Leca if I have only nursery pots?
Hello,
Leca can be reused many more times than perlite. How do you remove the perlite from the leca? Thank you!
Yes! It is a pain to separate them apart but you can sometimes use water to let the perlite float up, but I haven’t found a perfect way to
Hello and a successful new year for you and everyone here! I have a question. I don't know if you talk about it in a video. I try it. (sorry for my english). What is better for tropical Plants or Monstera/Syngonium/Anthurium/Philodendron. Plant Light above the plant, or in a vertical way? I see you use above, but it move also. I have a Lamp that send the light from a vertical / side way. I consider to buy me clips to bring it higher on the wall. I see from other plantfluencer they use vertical lamps. Please help me to find the best solution. And i hope you understand what i want to ask haha. 😄
Hey! Thank you for the kind words!
For vertical lighting, check out LED 4 foot lighting bars from Barrina or other industrial lighting companies. A mixture of 4k and 6500k coloring should work great! I hope this answers your question! 😄
I'd like to see you in WA but it's probably unlikely you'd have an event too far north of Seattle.
We're actually aiming to come to Seattle Area in April / May when it's warmer! :)
How do you water leca mixed with perlite? Similar as hydroponic?
Yup, handwatered in containers with drainage and hydroponic fertilizer
I'm in a condo. How do I use Leca without clogging my pipes
Try not to spill down the drain. Rinse it in the bathtub
Hi please help, how about leca and pine bark? Can i mix it? Im struggling to find substrate in my area. I was worried on the ph if i mix them. Thanks
I think that should be ok-just be mindful of how much water the bark will retain. Not sure of the ph. Nearly any type of porous rock is great for semi hydro
Would you happen to know if some grow lights, like the cheaper ones, are fake? I mean, are they just plain led? Should a good grow light get hot ? I notice that my more expensive lights get hot and the cheap ones never do, even after being on 24 hrs straight
LEDs shouldn’t get very hot. The cheaper ones will use a less expensive LED chip which will be less efficient at using energy, and create the heat you’re talking about. The more efficient a LED chip is, the less energy will be lost to heat, instead of made into light.
But I agree, my cheap Barrina LEDs from Amazon don’t get very hot, while my expensive $300 lights get pretty hot to the touch 🤷🏼♂️
The only metric I look for is visible light created per watt of energy used. Hope this helps!
Are LECA only for decorative plants? Can I also grow edibles/veggies ?
You can grow almost any plant in them!
Can all plants do well in leca ?
Great question! I’ve heard of nearly every plant doing well in LECA! It’s just about getting down the correct moisture content in the Leca for the different types of plants. Example: Hoyas, and succulents need much less water, and have a finer root. So maybe try some Pon mixed in together to mimic a desert like soil
I’m just boiled the Lica ball before using
You need to come to the panhandle of Florida. Everyone goes to Orlando and Miami but not the panhandle.
Ok awesome!! Will definitely try to make it down there 😄
The cables setup behind giving me anxiety
Great info thanks matey 😄🪴
Absolutely!