Come along with me as I perform my first agricultural growth test!!

I am testing forest product compost (Beyond Peat Raised Bed Mix), paired with LECA, an expanded clay product used in hydroponics, as potting medium.

I am using two net pots and two rooted chicks of S. 'Black', both with stolons forming new chicks.



I started with two cups LECA, 1/2 cup compost, for each pot, before taking one batch of the LECA and breaking it with a hammer.

I reserved enough of the LECA from each batch to also use as top dressing.







First observation is a little counter to what I expected: The crushed LECA takes up more room. I thought smaller pieces would be more compact. They're not. I could not fit the entire two cups of crushed LECA into the pot; about 3 tablespoons were left over.

They will get watered with Quick Start solution tonight after it has cooled down outside.

Here are the potted chicks, side by side:





Initial conclusion: It looks to be more economical to crush my LECA before using it.

I'll let you know how things go!

PS: that should say instead of Pumice, but there must be a character limit.

This is going to be interesting.

I learn something day. LECA is something I did not know about.
I read up on it and it sounds like something I should try.
I usually mix in Perlite.
Looking foward to your updates

Thanks! So far, both chicks are looking the same.
No differences, and also no crisping in our heat, yet, which was a concern with a net pot and LECA.
I'm really hoping that the LECA holds enough moisture to balance out the hot days with the rainy days.
By which I mean not holding so much it encourages rot, but holding enough to get the plants through some hot weather.

I am glad you are doing this test FPF, it may be the answer to high temps and humidity.

I hope so, too, thank you!!
Here's today's weather and today's picture of our test subjects.

Maybe a little more affected today. Loss of some outer leaves that had already shown stress before I pulled them from the parent, but really not bad, considering. Especially as the stolons and chicklets on the chicks still look good.


Picture of the parent plant in the planter. Looking a little more stressed than the chicks, but part of that is from the last heat event a couple of weeks ago.

The new growth coming from the center of the rosette is looking very good.

@ffp I have done some more reading so need to ask do you have a suggestion for fertlizer to supplement the Lica .

Great question! At Valleylynn's suggestion I have used forest compost with the LECA. My mix for this test was 2 cups LECA and 1/2 cup compost, mixed together with enough of the LECA reserved to use as top dressing. Since it's my understanding that sempervivum do not need nor want a lot of rich nutrients, I am expecting that to be enough, paired with the Quick Start that I'm using to get them going.
It may be that I will need to adjust the amounts of forest compost in my mix, but this is just the start. I won't know that for a little while yet.

Also, just to make clear, this is hydroponic expanded clay, which is slightly less uniform and has a rougher exterior than the LECA typically used for orchids.

If you would like a better picture of the bag, I can take one tomorrow. As it is, the only picture I have is this one:

Looking forward to following the progress FPF!
Sounds like the irregularity of the crushed LECA has lead to the creation of more air space between the granules, in addition to testing the LECA itself I think that'll be one of the more rewarding conclusions of your test, especially since you've used net pots, "how much do sempervivum benefit from root aeration?".
Thanks for the info, I'll be staying tuned.

Today's S. 'Black' chick progress report:
New root growth seems fairly even. Stolons of one chick are mich more advanced, but the other chick does have one stolon present and several forming.





Side by side they look very much the same:

Cool detail shots of the roots FPF,
At this point I'm betting the equal growth is most likely the result of relatively even energy stored in the rosettes as opposed to a response to the medium.
Just a thought,
-Sol

GeologicalForms said: Cool detail shots of the roots FPF,
At this point I'm betting the equal growth is most likely the result of relatively even energy stored in the rosettes as opposed to a response to the medium.
Just a thought,
-Sol

I'd be guessing the same.

FPF ,

How are the two semps doing now ? Are they doing better in the LECA ? I'm curious about this as well . Wonderful experiment 😊

I grow a lot of orchids and use the Leca in my semi-hydroponic pots. It is rather expensive. I have not tried it crushed up yet. Good idea. In my area (dry/hot) I do not think I would get enough moisture retention with Leca alone. I would need to use it in a mix. The thing is, I can get river gravel much more cheaply and it does nearly the same thing-- given less water retention, and the need to mix with a water retaining mix. And yes, I realize that Sempervivum need very good drainage, but it is relative to where you are planting them too. In my area "succulents" like cacti just go in the ground and do not need additional mix. Some areas have too much clay, but not everywhere. There is a specific lack of decayed organic material where I am except in areas around the house where I have been augmenting the soil mechanically.

Mcgilljen said: FPF ,

How are the two semps doing now ? Are they doing better in the LECA ? I'm curious about this as well . Wonderful experiment 😊

Today's comparison:






So far, the takeaway is don't break up the clay pellets.

Of course, the loss could be due to other factors, but it's pretty clear which one didn't survive.

To be absolutely sure, however, I'd have to try again and see if I got the same result.

FPF