More pros and fewer cons make Leca clay pebbles/Hydroton a well known growing medium. Otherwise called LECA clay pebbles, Hydroton is viewed as a standard grow medium for Aquaponics, Hydroponics, and Aeroponics. We’ll find out about this Leca growing medium in detail, from Introduction to pros/cons and do’s/don’ts in this post.
What is Leca Clay?
LECA which is short for “light expanded clay aggregate” is a processed ceramic lightweight aggregate made out of little pebbles the size of peanuts.
Uses of Expanded Leca Clay Pebbles
* They are generally utilised as a growing medium in the hydroponic/Aquaponics system on account of neutral pH and magnificent capillary action characteristics. Perfect for ebb and stream systems, this medium furnishes numerous advantages in comparison with soil. This clean and odour free medium is reusable and gives phenomenal air circulation.
* Leca is additionally mixed in with Coco Medium and Soil to grow plants in Pot Culture. This is utilised a place where additional drainage is required. They are likewise utilised in drainage layers in window boxes, rooftop gardens, for trees in an urban setting and sports grounds.
* This profoundly porous growing medium is additionally utilised for Substratum cultivation in professional horticulture and the development of decorative plants. The plant bins and compartment gardens are loaded up with hydroton to offer support to the plant’s roots.
* Use clay pebbles as Seed starter: You can cover the seed with two or three squashed pebbles in little net pots. The crushing expands saturation. Set the misters to water for 4-10 seconds after every 2-3 hours to set out the germination. Keeping the pebbles moist is significant, simply don’t let them dry out.
* Hydroton forestalls root rotting, acidity, and pests.
Step by step instructions to Use Clay Pebbles:
* Flush new hydroton once with clean lukewarm water before utilising as there can be dust that may cause clogging issues in drippers or mesh filters.
* At times clay pebbles float! Nothing to stress here! particularly recently purchased ones. It is typical and you can soak the pebbles for at least 6 – 24 hours. You can hold them somewhere around by putting something heavy on top.
* Expel the soil as much as possible from the roots of the plant.
* Spread a 3-4 cm thick layer of hydroton in the plants’ compartment.
* Put the plants in the compartment and fill it with pebbles until a water margin of 2cm is left. Move the plant gently all over to spread clay all around the roots while topping up.
* Always try to keep an inch (or however much as could reasonably be expected) of dry balls on the top to shield the framework from parasite and algae growth.
* During the primary week just apply water and gradually start adding hydro-fertiliser.
What are the pros:
High pore space prompting fewer blockages
Hydroton like other larger aggregates has a much bigger space between pebbles than little particles like perlite and sand. Bigger pore spaces mean better percolation (flow of water through the media).
Recyclable and environment friendly.
You can simply wash and reuse the pebbles as many times as you need. They can keep going for quite a while yet on the off chance that they lose their usefulness, you can put them in your outdoor gardens to build air circulation. Hydroton doesn’t have any harmful impact on nature. These are few of the many benefits which can be achieved by using this Leca growing medium and Rivashaa Eco Design Solutions P Ltd will ship top quality products like Hydrotons and another lightweight concrete mix whenever required. So get in touch with them today.
