I’m looking at converting several Alocasias into semi hydroponic. I’ve been looking for some nicer planters and researching the self watering planters with the terracotta inserts. I was wondering if anyone has tried using them with leca instead of soil.
Walmart just had a sale on those planters, and I bought one to experiment as I wondered the same thing. My 2 concerns are if nutrient absorption through the terracotta is affected, and algae since the outter pot is clear..
0 likes
I bought cheap knockoff Lechuza style pots on Amazon. Took the inserts out, Waterproofed the inside of some of my ceramic pots to use as the reservoir. Whatever you do. Topwater every 3 to 4 days for the first month and let then drain out. Keep the reservoir empty. This promotes water root growth. After the first month you can use the reservoir and start the fertilizer of your choice. I use Foliage Pro, 1/4 strength with every top off. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the info. I’ve been having good luck switching plants over. I’m using planters from Wavy Leaf, a Canadian company. Check them out. I see you use Foliage Pro. That’s what I use on my regular plants. I’ll probably be switching to that for semi too. I was ordering from an Australian company but their prices are getting too high thanks to the damn tariffs.
1 like