So, you’re ready to make the leap into soilless planting, but you’re not sure how to use Leca to grow plants? The excitement of diving into a new planting journey is something I know all too well. There’s no need to be intimidated–planting with LECA is just as easy (maybe easier) than planting in soil. And it’s easy to prepare LECA for planting, as long as you plan a day or so ahead.
I’m here to take you by the hand and guide you step-by-step through process of preparing LECA for planting the first time. We’ll cover everything from the rinsing and soaking stage to what you’ll need to do to keep your plants healthy during their big move.
By the time we’re finished, you’ll be ready to plant with LECA like a pro and give your green friends the perfect start to their new LECA-based life. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s get those Leca Balls ready to grow!
What is LECA
LECA (short for Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate) is an alternative growing medium for your plants that provides excellent drainage and aeration properties. It’s made by heating natural clay at high temperatures, which causes the clay to expand and form small, highly-porous, round balls.
LECA is pH-neutral and free of nutrients, so you’ll need to supply necessary nutrients and maintain proper pH levels for your plants to thrive. Since it’s a lightweight and porous material, LECA is suitable for a variety of applications, such as hydroponic systems, container gardening, and adding to potting soil mixes.
Why do you need to prepare LECA before use?
When I’m starting a new planting project, I know I’m always tempted just to jump right in. And if there’s one downside to LECA, it’s that you do need to take the time to prepare the clay balls for use in order to ensure optimal growth conditions for your plants.
Remove Dust
Preparing LECA before use is crucial for the health and well-being of your plants. When you first open a bag of LECA, you’ll see that it’s covered in a fine layer of dust. This dust can lead to nutrient imbalances or clog pores in the growing medium, reducing its water–absorbing impact.
By rinsing and soaking the LECA prior to use, you help remove this dust and any potential contaminants, ensuring a healthier growing environment for your plants.
Fully Hydrate
Another reason to prepare LECA before use is that it helps modulate moisture levels. When you soak LECA, the pores soak up water and ensure you start with fully-hydrated clay balls. If you use dry LECA for planting, the highly-absorbent clay balls will suck up all the water they can, even robbing moisture from the plants roots, instead of providing them with moisture. So soaking your LECA ensures it’s ready to start delivering water to roots and prevents the balls from drying out too quickly between waterings.
Preparing LECA Balls for Planting
Step 1: Rinse
Before using new LECA balls for planting, rinse them thoroughly under fast-running water. If you can do this outside, using a hose or utility sink, even better. The clay debris could clog up your drain, so it’s better to avoid using the sink if you’re rinsing a large quantity of clay balls.
Use a sieve or a mesh colander to hold the LECA balls and place it under running water. Gently shake and move the LECA balls around to ensure they are cleaned uniformly. Continue rinsing until the water runs clear to remove any dust and debris that may be present on the surface.
Step 2: Soak
After rinsing, it’s crucial to soak the LECA balls to prepare them for planting. Fill a container with clean water and add the rinsed LECA balls. Ensure that the LECA balls are fully submerged in water. The soaking process allows the LECA balls to absorb water and become saturated. This provides a beneficial environment for plant roots when you introduce them. Leave the LECA balls to soak for at least 6 hours, but preferably overnight.
Step 3: Soak (Again)
Once the initial soaking period is over, I like to rinse the balls again before soaking one more time in fresh water to ensure they are thoroughly saturated. This second soak helps to remove any remaining impurities that may have been hung around during the first soak. Allow the LECA balls to soak for an additional 6 hours, or overnight.
Step 4: Dry & Store (Optional)
After completing the second soak, your LECA balls are ready for planting!
But, if you’re not using them right away, or you soaked more than you needed, then drain the water and spread the LECA balls out on a clean surface to air dry. Ensure the LECA balls are completely dry before storing them in a clean and dry container.
When it’s time to plant, be sure to soak your dried LECA balls in fresh water for at least 6 hours (but preferably overnight) before using them!
How to Use LECA
Potting Plants in LECA
- Choose the Right Pot: If you’re using LECA in a semi-hydroponic growing system, you’ll need to choose the right setup. Either a net pot inside of a cache pot (like the Naked Root planters) or a clear container where you can see the roots are preferred.
- Select the right amount of LECA: As a rule of thumb, fill the pot to approximately one-third of its height with hydrated LECA before adding the plant.
- Add the plant: Carefully remove the plant from its previous medium and rinse the roots to eliminate any excess soil. Try to remove as much soil as possible without damaging the roots. Place the plant in the pot on top of the LECA layer and gently spread the roots.
- Fill the pot with LECA: Carefully add more LECA around the plant’s roots, filling the pot up to the base of the stem, and ensuring the roots are well-covered.
Watering and Nutrient Needs
Proper watering and nutrient application are crucial for the success of plants planted in LECA.
- Watering: Monitor the water level in the pot. It’s essential to keep the water level below the plant’s roots to avoid waterlogging and root rot. Typically, you should water when the top layer of LECA has dried out but adjust based on your plant’s preferences.
- Feeding: As LECA is nutrient-free, you’ll need to regularly supplement your plants with the required nutrients. Use a liquid fertilizer for semi-hydroponics and mix it with water at the recommended ratio. Fertilize once a month during the growing season (spring and summer) and less frequently during the dormant months (autumn and winter).
- Flushing: Fertilizers contain a lot of salts and other minerals that will build up on your LECA balls. To avoid excess build-up, flush your balls with fresh water every one to two weeks. Learn more about how to flush LECA.
Mix LECA with Potting Soil
While LECA is phenomenal as a standalone semi-hydro growth medium, you can also use it to improve the quality of your soil mixes for traditional growing. Just add some clay balls to you soil and mix them in, like you would with perlite or other soil additives. It will help to both aerate your soil and help it retain moisture. Or, you can layer some LECA on top of your soil to create a protective barrier against excessive drying and pests. Learn more about using LECA with soil here.
By following these steps, you will ensure successful planting and care for your plants in LECA, providing a solid foundation for their healthy growth.
Preparing LECA for Reuse After Planting
Reusing LECA is part of what makes it a sustainable and popular choice for plant enthusiasts. But before you reuse LECA, you need to disinfect it to ensure that you don’t pass along any bacteria or fungi from your previous plant that could cause root rot or other plant diseases.
You can choose to either boil your LECA balls or use a disinfecting solution. Here are steps you can follow to prepare your used LECA for a new plant:
1) Remove the LECA:
Carefully remove the LECA from your plant. If the plant has passed away, you’ll want to remove the roots as best you can. If you’re simply repotting the plant into another medium or pot, be gentle to avoid damaging the roots.
2) Rinse the LECA:
Rinse the LECA thoroughly under running water. This will help to remove any attached roots or plant material.
3) Disinfect:
To kill any possible pathogens, you need to fully disinfect the clay balls. Here are 3 options for disinfecting, based on your preference:
- Soak the LECA in a solution of one part bleach to nine parts water for at least 10 minutes.
- Soak them in a solution of hydrogen peroxide (1 cup of 3% hydrogen peroxide mixed with 2 cups of water) for at least 10 minutes.
- Boil the LECA pebbles for 15 minutes.
4) Rinse again:
After the disinfecting soak, rinse the LECA thoroughly once again to make sure any bleach or hydrogen peroxide is fully washed away.
5) Soak in fresh water:
Soak your disinfected LECA balls for at least an hour or overnight if possible. It’s always important to start a new plant in LECA that is fully saturated, as we discussed above.
Now your LECA is ready to be reused for the next plant. Remember that it’s important to monitor your plant’s health after replanting, as different plants may have different requirements when it comes to watering and nutrients.
Are You Ready to Plant with LECA?
By now, you should have a good understanding of how to prepare and use LECA for your plants. Not only is it an efficient and sustainable growing medium, but it also reduces the risk of root rot and pests. As with any method, it’s essential to be aware of both the advantages and downsides associated with using LECA for your plants.
Pros of using LECA:
- Effective drainage and aeration preventing root rot
- Reusability, making it an eco-friendly option
- Less maintenance required compared to traditional soil
- Easy to check in on your plants and monitor their health
Cons of using LECA:
- Initial investment in materials and equipment
- Requires specific hydroponic nutrients for proper plant growth
- Potential learning curve for those new to the method
- Not suitable for all plant types (learn the best plants to grow with LECA)
Overall, LECA is a versatile and easy-to-use alternative to traditional soil, offering a host of benefits for both you and your plants. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can confidently prepare and use LECA to support healthy plant growth and maintenance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to soak LECA for 24 hours?
No, you don’t have to soak LECA for a full 24 hours. However, it’s a good idea to soak it for a few hours or overnight to ensure that the clay balls are fully saturated with water. This helps in providing consistent moisture for your plants.
How long should you boil LECA?
You don’t need to boil new LECA balls before use. Washing and soaking in water is sufficient to clean and prepare it. But if you’re reusing LECA, you should either boil it for at least 15 minutes or disinfect it with a diluted chlorine or hydrogen peroxide soak (directions above).
Can LECA be mixed with soil?
Yes, you can mix LECA with soil for added aeration and drainage. This is especially helpful for plants that require well-draining soil, as the LECA helps to prevent waterlogged soil conditions. Mix equal parts of LECA and soil, or adjust the ratio according to your plant’s requirements.
Do you need to rinse LECA before use?
Yes, it’s important to rinse LECA before use to remove dust and debris. Place the LECA in a large container and fill it with water. Swirl the water around and drain the cloudy water. Repeat this process until the water is almost clear.
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