Leca stands for Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate.
It's a porous, inorganic material that's commonly used as a growing medium for plants because it retains water well and allows for excellent drainage.
It depends on the plant and the environmental conditions.
As a general rule, you can check if the Leca at the bottom of the pot is still moist.
If it is, you can wait a bit longer before watering.
If it's dry, it's time to water your plant.
You can use plain water, but it's recommended to add hydroponics fertilizer to the water.
This will provide your plant with the necessary nutrients since Leca doesn't contain any.
Follow the instructions on the label of the fertilizer you're using.
Using too much can make the water too acidic, while using too little won't provide your plant with enough nutrients.
It depends on the quality of your tap water.
If it's high in salts or minerals, it could cause problems for your plant in the long run.
If you're unsure, it's best to use filtered or distilled water.
Yes, it's recommended to flush the Leca every few months to prevent the buildup of salt and mineral deposits.
You can do this by running plain water through the pot until it drains out the bottom.
No, it's not recommended to let your plant sit in water for an extended period.
Some plants don't mind having their roots in water, but most will suffer from root rot if they're constantly sitting in water.
Yes, Leca can be reused.
Once you've removed the plant from the pot, you can rinse the Leca and sterilize it with a solution of water and bleach.
Let it dry completely before using it again.
Yes, you can mix Leca with soil to improve drainage and aeration.
However, keep in mind that Leca doesn't provide any nutrients, so you'll still need to fertilize your plant.
Leca is suitable for most plants, but some plants that prefer to stay in moist soil or have very sensitive roots might not do well in Leca.
It's always best to research the specific needs of the plant you're growing before using Leca as a growing medium.