Is LECA really necessary? That’s pretty much all I see nowadays, but I’m interested in transferring plants to water-only. I know that LECA increases oxygen to the roots and helps with stability, but it also doesn’t add any nutrients. So I’m just wondering if water and suitable fertilizer can be just as successful. Thanks in advance!
With LECA your reservoir should have all of the nutrition components. That said, I use a long transition method in just water to help the plants that I will transfer into LECA get their Hydro roots. Some of them have never been transitioned… And they do just fine in a water plus nutrient solution. Obviously, some plants will take to this a lot better. I’ve had success with Alocasias and philodendrons living in water long-term.
1 Like Thanks! I read an article that LECA gives no nutrients, but it’s good to know that that’s incorrect. Good to know about the transitioning!
0 Likes The LECA itself does not provide nutrients. It’s just clay balls, essentially. But whatever nutrient solution you supplement with in your reservoir, that will be taken up by the plant roots.
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many plants kept in water long term are likely to succumb to root rot, but others can thrive growing in a hydroponic setup. if you decide to go full hydro instead of semi-hydro, an airstone can help prevent rot as it will introduce plenty of oxygen to the water
1 Like Looking up airstone. 😉
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I have all of my pothos in only water. I start all my cuttings in water only. Since, like you said, plants need to be aerated more. Like, I imagine all my syngonium and ficus would hate to be in just water.
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Look up lechuza pon. It has fertilizer that lasts 6 months and I prefer it over leca. Once that runs out I just water with fertilizer. My alocasias love it. Also I do have several plants living in water, yes the soil roots rot away but they grow water roots. Just be sure to change the water weekly or when it gets too low because it will evaporate! I’ve never needed an air stone
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