I was in the process of changing all my plants to semi hydro when I came across your video. I decided to give it a go. Here we are a year later and I just wanted to give you an update to tell you that all my succulents are not only growing but thriving! I find Orchid pots are great for semi hydro, having lots of holes/slots and the raised dimple on the inside helps to keep the stems out of the nutrient. I now grow Bonsai in Leca too, and even a couple of cacti. Thanks for showing this method and I hope it encourages people to try it for themselves.
Are we able to use a wide mouth glass container and just measure out the water used? I am going to try a full hydroponic set up for a few as well, just for the looks. The plants seem to love the hydroponic set up from what I’ve seen. I’m trying to get away from plastics is my main reason, as well as I have a LOT of glass I can use vs buying plastic pots
If you are interested in propagation, please visit one of our videos here ruclips.net/video/V3H0k3R-GgY/видео.html. You can see more propagation tips on our blog here succulentsbox.com/pages/propagation?_pos=5&_sid=e6591c55c&_ss=r. We will make more propagation videos for you guys 💚.
You know, the thing I’ve noticed people can’t seem to wrap their heads around? Succulents & cacti will love to grow in Pon or just plain LECA on its own, even more than in soil! Many succulents eventually die or fade away when grown in soil, either bc it’s too thick or too moist. Or both. The difference with tropicals grown in semi hydro versus cacti/succs in semi hydro is their fundamental needs-water versus AIR. For tropicals, it’s the moisture they like. That’s why so many calatheas, Hoyas, aroids, etc. thrive in the semi hydro method; however, on a basic level, succulents & semi-hydro almost don’t go together… at least in my experience, a reservoir is not needed for succulents. In fact, the focus with succulent plants in semi hydro should be LESS about the reservoir being maintained and more about drying it OUT. Because at the end of the day, cacti & succulents will be VERY happy in the Pon or LECA. They’ll be happier in that than in soil. It’s just enough for the roots to be secure and latch onto, and still getting tons of airflow. But then you fill that reservoir, and they start sitting in a stagnant pool, essentially… aaaaand dead, you’ve just wasted all that time now. Possibly. 😂 People forget that succulents, by nature, have water reservoirs built in-in their leaves. Adding another one at the roots is potentially risky unless tons of holes are made in the side of the container…or use an orchid pot. All I’m saying is that the approach should be altered slightly with succs than with traditional semi hydro. Focus more on the quality of the substrate. Focus on aerating their roots rather than drowning them. We have soil for that! lol!
Unlike soil, Leca is an inorganic material and it provides no nutrients of its own. You are recommended to give succulents with low nitrogen fertilizer to keep them compact, maintain its nice shapes and not to grow to leggy or etiolate. We can suggest a general hydroponics fertilizer. But i depends much on what kind of cactus you grow.
Thank you so much for this video! I have a few questions, if you have time to answer. First, is it necessary to wait until ther container is dry to rewater? Second, do you need to use fertilizer every time you water, or just during the plants growing season? Thank you!
I'm not the content creator to whom you directed your questions, but I have a few years' of experience with LECA and Lechuza-Pon and would like to share how I do it, in case you find it helpful. 1--No, I do not wait for the container to dry completely before I add more nutrient solution, but for succulents, I make the "overflow holes" a little lower, so they fall slightly below the imaginary line that would mark the bottom 1/3 of the container. This way, there's always moisture available for the plant to rehydrate when it needs it, but there's a good amount of distance between the substrate that is sopping wet and the top 1/3, where the base of the plant and the roots meet--I've found more success when I allow that point get slightly dry between waterings. (Succulents like it dry, as you know.) I would NOT use the lid to hold on moisture as this video suggested, at least not for succulents. 2--Yes, I do use fertilizer every time I water so I don't have to remember which plants I fertilized when (I find it simpler that way) BUT I dilute it to 1/2 of the label recommendation for spring and summer, and 1/4 or a little less for autumn and winter. In other words, if the label recommends 1 teaspoon per gallon, I use 1/2 teaspoon in S-S and a little less than 1/4 in A-W. For best results, invest in a fertilizer designed for hydro and semi-hydro. I use "Dyna-Gro Foliage Pro 9-3-6" or "Growth Technology Foliage Focus". 3--You didn't ask, but I'd like to suggest two important things: ONE--For the first 2 or 3 months of transplanting to an inorganic substrate, water from the top instead of from the bottom as shown on this video. This gives the rocks on top enough moisture to start with while the system gets balanced and capillary action begins pulling up water effectively and efficiently. It also allows time for the plant's roots to grow down seeking the water. No worries, you will not drown your plant because the excess will seep through the overflow holes and evaporate from the top. After a few months, it's your choice. I water from the top as long as the vessel does not have a narrow neck that would trap too much moisture. TWO--Every couple of months, put your plants in the sink, shower, or a large tub and flush the entire system by running a stream of water through the top. This will help get rid of sediment, stagnant water, and excess minerals from the fertilizer. I usually do this in my sink or shower and use the handheld shower head to wash the leaves at the same time. When I do this flush, I do not fertilize because I feel the substrate would be too wet to absorb any goodness and I would waste the nutrient solution.
Hi my name is Connie I'm new to your channel and still having problems with my lacquer with my succulents I don't know what to do I wash them off let him sit for a while so I don't know what else to do I don't want to lose my plants help me
Root rot is caused by overwatering the roots in hydroponic systems. It seems like a challenge to be in since hydroponics is about growing plants in water with dissolved nutrients in the absence of soil. When the root system does not receive enough oxygen, problems occur. It might be because the watering schedule isn't sufficient, the roots aren't exposed to the air directly, or both. Good luck next try, Becky :)
I was in the process of changing all my plants to semi hydro when I came across your video. I decided to give it a go. Here we are a year later and I just wanted to give you an update to tell you that all my succulents are not only growing but thriving! I find Orchid pots are great for semi hydro, having lots of holes/slots and the raised dimple on the inside helps to keep the stems out of the nutrient. I now grow Bonsai in Leca too, and even a couple of cacti. Thanks for showing this method and I hope it encourages people to try it for themselves.
Thank you so much for your sharing 🥰
This tip is interesting right? Don't forget subscribe us to find more 🤠🌵😊
This is the first time I actually heard about this, this is so interesting. Also your website and videos are really helpful so THANK YOU 🥺💚
Glad it was helpful! 💖
Great info, thank!
Glad it was helpful!
Thanks for sharing with us,
Always welcome 😊
Wow thank you for the information
Glad this helped !!
Are we able to use a wide mouth glass container and just measure out the water used?
I am going to try a full hydroponic set up for a few as well, just for the looks. The plants seem to love the hydroponic set up from what I’ve seen.
I’m trying to get away from plastics is my main reason, as well as I have a LOT of glass I can use vs buying plastic pots
Please make video on succulent propagation!
If you are interested in propagation, please visit one of our videos here ruclips.net/video/V3H0k3R-GgY/видео.html. You can see more propagation tips on our blog here succulentsbox.com/pages/propagation?_pos=5&_sid=e6591c55c&_ss=r. We will make more propagation videos for you guys 💚.
You know, the thing I’ve noticed people can’t seem to wrap their heads around? Succulents & cacti will love to grow in Pon or just plain LECA on its own, even more than in soil! Many succulents eventually die or fade away when grown in soil, either bc it’s too thick or too moist. Or both.
The difference with tropicals grown in semi hydro versus cacti/succs in semi hydro is their fundamental needs-water versus AIR. For tropicals, it’s the moisture they like. That’s why so many calatheas, Hoyas, aroids, etc. thrive in the semi hydro method; however, on a basic level, succulents & semi-hydro almost don’t go together… at least in my experience, a reservoir is not needed for succulents. In fact, the focus with succulent plants in semi hydro should be LESS about the reservoir being maintained and more about drying it OUT. Because at the end of the day, cacti & succulents will be VERY happy in the Pon or LECA. They’ll be happier in that than in soil. It’s just enough for the roots to be secure and latch onto, and still getting tons of airflow. But then you fill that reservoir, and they start sitting in a stagnant pool, essentially… aaaaand dead, you’ve just wasted all that time now. Possibly. 😂
People forget that succulents, by nature, have water reservoirs built in-in their leaves. Adding another one at the roots is potentially risky unless tons of holes are made in the side of the container…or use an orchid pot.
All I’m saying is that the approach should be altered slightly with succs than with traditional semi hydro. Focus more on the quality of the substrate. Focus on aerating their roots rather than drowning them. We have soil for that! lol!
What is the best fertilizer for succulents in leca?
Unlike soil, Leca is an inorganic material and it provides no nutrients of its own. You are recommended to give succulents with low nitrogen fertilizer to keep them compact, maintain its nice shapes and not to grow to leggy or etiolate. We can suggest a general hydroponics fertilizer. But i depends much on what kind of cactus you grow.
Have you done this Buddha Crassus? I would like to grow this succulent in Leca if you can help that would be great 😊
Thank you so much for this video! I have a few questions, if you have time to answer. First, is it necessary to wait until ther container is dry to rewater? Second, do you need to use fertilizer every time you water, or just during the plants growing season? Thank you!
I'm not the content creator to whom you directed your questions, but I have a few years' of experience with LECA and Lechuza-Pon and would like to share how I do it, in case you find it helpful.
1--No, I do not wait for the container to dry completely before I add more nutrient solution, but for succulents, I make the "overflow holes" a little lower, so they fall slightly below the imaginary line that would mark the bottom 1/3 of the container. This way, there's always moisture available for the plant to rehydrate when it needs it, but there's a good amount of distance between the substrate that is sopping wet and the top 1/3, where the base of the plant and the roots meet--I've found more success when I allow that point get slightly dry between waterings. (Succulents like it dry, as you know.) I would NOT use the lid to hold on moisture as this video suggested, at least not for succulents.
2--Yes, I do use fertilizer every time I water so I don't have to remember which plants I fertilized when (I find it simpler that way) BUT I dilute it to 1/2 of the label recommendation for spring and summer, and 1/4 or a little less for autumn and winter. In other words, if the label recommends 1 teaspoon per gallon, I use 1/2 teaspoon in S-S and a little less than 1/4 in A-W. For best results, invest in a fertilizer designed for hydro and semi-hydro. I use "Dyna-Gro Foliage Pro 9-3-6" or "Growth Technology Foliage Focus".
3--You didn't ask, but I'd like to suggest two important things: ONE--For the first 2 or 3 months of transplanting to an inorganic substrate, water from the top instead of from the bottom as shown on this video. This gives the rocks on top enough moisture to start with while the system gets balanced and capillary action begins pulling up water effectively and efficiently. It also allows time for the plant's roots to grow down seeking the water. No worries, you will not drown your plant because the excess will seep through the overflow holes and evaporate from the top. After a few months, it's your choice. I water from the top as long as the vessel does not have a narrow neck that would trap too much moisture. TWO--Every couple of months, put your plants in the sink, shower, or a large tub and flush the entire system by running a stream of water through the top. This will help get rid of sediment, stagnant water, and excess minerals from the fertilizer. I usually do this in my sink or shower and use the handheld shower head to wash the leaves at the same time. When I do this flush, I do not fertilize because I feel the substrate would be too wet to absorb any goodness and I would waste the nutrient solution.
Hi my name is Connie I'm new to your channel and still having problems with my lacquer with my succulents I don't know what to do I wash them off let him sit for a while so I don't know what else to do I don't want to lose my plants help me
Hi, what is the problem you're having? Overwatering or root rot?
@Succulents Box I am not sure, they was doing good but when I put them in the leca they started to fall off.
Can I do the same with other medias? I only have Lava red rocks currently.
Depends on the plant but yes you can
Can i do the same with pon?
What do you mean 'pon'? 😶
@@SucculentsBox lechuza pon
The succulents I've tried this with have all ended up dying of rot root 😢
Root rot is caused by overwatering the roots in hydroponic systems. It seems like a challenge to be in since hydroponics is about growing plants in water with dissolved nutrients in the absence of soil.
When the root system does not receive enough oxygen, problems occur. It might be because the watering schedule isn't sufficient, the roots aren't exposed to the air directly, or both.
Good luck next try, Becky :)
looks like boba
Succulent milk with LECA, lol