Corky’s Guide to Growing Hoyas in LECA

Here are some of the supplies that I use. These are Amazon Affiliate links, so I earn a small commission if you click the link and make a purchase.
Hydroton: amzn.to/39zKrZg
Pots for cutting and small plants: amzn.to/39CXObd
Nutrients: amzn.to/3387J7l
8 Gauge Copper Wire for Trellises: amzn.to/2Eu8SvO

[@flowers0fpeace]

“I’m a lazy person here to tell you what you can get away with.” Yes, I love it. Please reach me your ways 👍🏽💚

[@CorkysFlora]

😅😆 thank you!

[@pottymouthedplanter]

Right? Hahaha I was sold as soon as she said that lol

[@mariapennylane]

“I’m a lazy person here telling you what you can get away with” 😂😂😂 Yasssss!!!

[@FelicitasFoo]

thank you for this super helpful video! i’m hoping to convert some of my hoyas into leca in the near future so it was so great to see how you go about it in such an in depth manner, i feel less worried about the transition now 😭

[@banyosessions5922]

Love it thanks for the tips! I love growing hoyas too and just started to try out propagating using LECA... Keep it up! 😘

[@ThePlantUtopia]

I have just discovered your channel and love it. I have been growing hoyas for many years and the cheapest and easiest leca container for me is poking holes an inch from the bottom in a throw away plastic cup. When you water, it fills up the reservoir at the bottom. You can basically reuse Wendy’s cups and cut them down to use. Back when I was really broke in nursing school I would use the small plastic soft drink bottles. It is not the most visually stunning cup but it works and I have never over watered a Hoya this way and I have never noticed rotting roots as you mentioned. I am also a very lazy waterer so the reservoir would usually be dried out before I watered the Hoya again. I also used to put my hoyas on my deck in my old house like this and they loved it even when it rains on them for several days.

[@layla.lavender]

Great video. Your voice is soothing! And you are very informative.

[@nan0908]

Well-done video! Your style is thorough without being repetitive. And I like that you aren't silly :-)

[@pcpc9358]

Big Huge thank you for making my life w LECA less stringent. . . . its all about the capilary action to get the water and nutrients to the plant is what i take away . . . . I will now repot my one and only Hoya thats been in soil next to doing nothing and put into my own DIY situation - putting less inportance one the Perfect pot, vessel, puting more engery into tthe indivual plant and its acclamation. Now the possibilities are endless. Now i have a stronger grasp of LECA and the love affairs starts all over once again. thank you >>great video great detail . ..just great.

[@jessicapirnat]

this video is exactly what i needed. thank you

[@grat2010]

I've heard that it's better to avoid clear glass pots because it encourages algae to grow because it lets in sunshine. But thanks so much for this video. Very thorough and well-presented. Especially like that you're "a lazy person" (as you said), like me, telling me what I can get away with. HaHa.

[@pixiehopper8]

I absolutely LOVE growing hoyas in leca! They always just take off, and seem SO happy. I also never have an issue starting cuttings now that I start them like this. I used to freak out about it before, especially if it was a hard to find one, but no longer. :) :) I use the same nutrients too. That stuff is great!

[@reganolivia9421]

do you let the leca dry out in between waterings? or do you keep a reservoir of water at the bottom 24/7

[@pixiehopper8]

@@reganolivia9421 sometimes I will let them get low, almost out, but I always keep water in there. I also don’t keep my water super high. Some people fill theirs half way, but I keep mine lower then that. There is usually enough condensation in the container for the roots, and they grow fast to reach the bottom.

[@renealee]

I have a lot of mason jars from canned foods and some net pots. I think I'm going to paint the glass to discourage algea though. I've done that for my water propagation. Thanks for all your tips!!

[@sarimosher]

Great video! You explain things so well.

[@CorkysFlora]

Thank you so much 💖

[@amandaraewright]

I got WAY too excited when I spotted the little callistophylla, and then when you shouted me out! Aren't those pots the coolest? This video is great. I have been doing the 1/3 method and I haven't been blown away by passive hydro for my hoyas. I need to try a smaller reservoir and see if it makes a difference. I recently started using proper nutrients which should help too, haha!

[@CorkysFlora]

Aww! I love your awesome ideas you share. I really love the metallic colors they come in, too! Proper nutrients and a lower water line should be good! Let me know what you think after a while.

[@Womynxx]

You know you're getting used to leca when it falls on the floor and you barely react or when you start finding it everywhere lol. Great info!

[@CorkysFlora]

So true! My husband is usually the one to step on the balls because he doesn’t know to look out for them. 😆

[@jorgepelegrini7286]

Hola desde Argentina !!! Buenas noches muy bueno su video,Muchas gracias por compartir sus conocimientos.Gran saludo Jorge.--

[@venevldz8772]

this is really informative and helpful thank you

[@PlantJunkyCREATIONS]

I am nee to leca, and that was very helpful. I appreciate you sharing!

[@pottymouthedplanter]

Well hey there new plant friend!! New sub here 🤙 I think I’m gunna try leca for my Hoyas! Great video!

[@eljardindelamorenita5863]

I love Hoyas too💕🤩

[@noradaroy3269]

Nice video, very informative . Thank you

[@tonyabrown39]

Thanks! Great help for me!

[@elitongh]

Loved the video Very informative and helpful. Thank you (:

[@Shopgirl2731]

Excellent video!!!!!!!

[@stephyeah6410]

What an amazing and super thorough video!! Could you add the link to the Kratky method explanation in the description? I have a hoya bella that really wants more attention from what I'm giving in soil, and I think it would enjoy having the constant moisture like the linearis. :)

[@CorkysFlora]

I’m very curious to know how it goes for your Bella in leca. Based on others’ experiences with it, I might suggest trying to have a wick from the reservoir, going into the leca, to keep it all more consistently moist. I need to find a good resource for Kratky, but will be back soon!

[@monicalee316]

That's one happy Hoya at the end 😂

[@CorkysFlora]

It’s loving it’s life right now. 😆

[@LaurensLeaves]

This video was incredibly helpful! I’m new to leca, but most of my hoya seem to really like it even though they’ve just recently been transitioned. My main question was if I had to keep the water level at a third at all times. I feel better knowing I don’t have to if it’s rooted. And only keep it at a third if the hoya is newly rooting. Do you root your hoya cuttings using the same method? Or other media like moss or perlite? If you root your cuttings in leca, what level do you keep the water at? Sorry for all the questions. I’m just genuinely interested in your ways. Thanks again for this tutorial!✨🌱✨

[@andreae.dinwiddie1827]

Thank you I learned a lot 😀

[@suhyeonandflowers.2419]

I am not good at English, so I can't understand it exactly, but I try to understand it by watching the video. Do you grow flowers for a long time with hydrotherapy? I'm going to try. Thank you for the good information. My friend. Have a good time.🌸🥰🥰👍👏🏻

[@rosaelinav8036]

Thank you 🙏

[@marieb3630]

Go to the dollar store and buy socks to put on your pots. It will help reduce the alge.

[@Mylysoleil]

How so you feed them we=hitch fertilizer and how often? Thanks. For this beautiful video

[@carlasitzia9219]

Thanks!

[@paoladefrenza8052]

complimenti ,stupende anche le piante , mi piacerebbe averne !

[@dinamourelatos4316]

Hi again Do you have your leca hoyas on a heat pad and is it necessary todo so?

[@plantsrforever4150]

Can you post a link to those self watering pots please!? I need a few of them!!

[@ROMANS.12.2-USA]

You can find them on Amazon. I keep posting the link but it gets deleted for some reason. Just search Self Watering Planter - by DecoPots on Amazon

[@amandawade8003]

Thank you for this video!! This is my first time using LECA! So, when you use those deep saucers from Lowe's, which they still have tons of, very inexpensive, you only bottom water and the LECA just absorbs it??

[@lauolivia29]

Hi, could you post the link to the self-watering pots (green and white) recommended by Amanda Rae Wright? TIA!

[@ROMANS.12.2-USA]

You can find them on Amazon. I keep posting the link but it gets deleted for some reason. Just search Self Watering Planter - by DecoPots on Amazon

[@Englandmw]

Hi where did you buy the nettie pot with the clear cache

[@DAjanapeterson]

This video was so helpful! The one question I can’t seem to find an answer to is do you keep the water at 1/4 level??

[@arielalicia5738]

she mentions at 12:40 ish ;)

[@Xyzx3]

Hi! My r. Tetrasperma cutting in water was transferred to leca and is thriving! One root reached to the water level. What do i do now? Haha help please. Many thanks in advance ♡

[@melodymarnik1578]

Loved the video. Where did you get your hoya linearis? I can't seem to find any at a reasonable price. They're all over 200$

[@ROMANS.12.2-USA]

You can find some on Mercari

[@debkleinschmidt6765]

Do you just water for a while first or you start with nutrients right away?

[@leisureleashes1700]

What size net pots are these in the mason jars? Can you share a link to those?

[@CorkysFlora]

Leisure & Leashes I got my net pots from Gardino Nursery’s site. I’m not sure if they still stock them.

[@louisabyr6826]

Where do you get the plastic pots.

[@bhagyalaxmirath5781]

Do you recommend rooting it in water first and then moving it to leca after the roots are formed? Or can I simply stick the cutting into the leca and let it start rooting there?

[@cello977]

I grow both orchid and hoya, i think they basically the same. the difference is that hoya dont get too stressed when repotted, and dont get crown rot cuz hoya doesnt have crown😅

[@CorkysFlora]

Thank you for your perspective! I only have a few orchids and don’t feel very masterful in my care of them. You make a good point about hoyas being less stressed over messing with the roots.

[@bernadettelopez7225]

I purchased a Hoya Rotundiflora in a Leca and its roots are long and numerous enough. I want to transfer it to a chunky soil mixture because I’m not used to growing Hoyas in Leca. Do you think converting from Leca to soil is okay?

[@bagh344]

I tried converting them to a chunky soil mix . For some reason it just didn’t do well. I suggest let it just be in there.

[@ILiekFishiez]

where did you get those clear pots that you have holding the netting pots?! 😱

[@jennifermeinecke6944]

Temu has them

[@alyssacornelius4915]

Sorry, I know this is an older video, but do you have a link for the cute self watering pots you found on insta??? Currently most of my plants are in clear glass jars but I want to experiment with self watering pots lol

[@ROMANS.12.2-USA]

You can find them on Amazon. I keep posting the link but it gets deleted for some reason. Just search Self Watering Planter - by DecoPots on Amazon

[@verovaladez0765]

Do you have to wash the leca first? and you add any fertilizer or plant food? at what time do you add it? ☺️

[@CorkysFlora]

I do rinse the bakes before using. I add hydroponic nutrients about every other time I water. I use the General Hydroponics brand of nutrients. 😁

[@verovaladez0765]

Corky’s Flora Thank you!!

[@plantyhappyandneedcoffee]

What kind of water are you using? I use RO but considering using our ditch water...it comes from the river and have lots of fish poo in there....

[@CorkysFlora]

Good question, forgot to mention that. We have well water, and that’s what I use. I believe the PH out of the faucet is 7.2 ish. RO water is considered a good option for plants right?

[@KamaileXo]

@@CorkysFlora We have R/O water and the pH is about 6. TDS is at around 40. It seems to be very good for all of my plants.

[@zionlee175]

Clear pots are better, You can see roots growing conditions.

[@emiliar3251]

The best place to get nursery pots is on facebook marketplace... most of people just give them away

[@aimeepenaflor5449]

I recently purchased leca and they really didn’t expand? Is that normal

[@evlynealeshire5850]

They are already expanded. Just rinse to get the dust off and soak. Read the directions. They are ready to go, now get planting. 😃

[@sultanaltunhan64]

Hoyam çiçek açmıyor ne yapabilirim açsın diye

[@evlynealeshire5850]

I’m definitely not an expert but in my experience some Hoyas take ages to bloom. That’s why I collect them for their foliage and manner of growth. I think they are beautiful. They will eventually flower in the right conditions for them. BTW some flower prolifically, some take forever to flower. It’s a treat when they do. 😃

[@aimeepenaflor5449]

Is it bad if algae grows????

[@CorkysFlora]

It hasn’t harmed any of my plants so far!

[@CorkysFlora]

It is ugly though.

[@a.c.h.camangon]

@@CorkysFlora I know this reply has already been one year ago, but I'm glad someone asked about algae, and you replied! My hoyas have been growing a lot of algae in their glass containers, so I've been feeling kinda worried that the roots might rot, or that my hoyas might die back. I'm glad to know that they'd do just fine. Thanks for the info! :))

[@nandilee-ellis7927]

Hi Corky! help!!! i just finished watching a video of yours on Facebook showing you transferring a hoya into LECA and putting fresh cuttings directly into the LECA where you mentioned you only splash the plant every 2-3 days with no reservoir..... Here is my issue, I have a hoya rebecca that I thought was thriving as I was seeing new growth, last night I noticed the bottom leaves were mushy and I figured it was because it was in direct contact with the moist LECA, i decided to take a peak at the roots to just see progress but noticed all the soil roots were rotted and gone, and some stem tips are rotting... there are no water roots!!! and it has been in LECA for 3 weeks with a small reservoir wirh artificial light and in a propagation box....i cut off and peeled off all the roots and now am basically left with cuttings! I have read and seen that with rooting in LECA I should leave a reservoir but I am afraid of further rotting. am I able to root this plant by simply splashing water every 2-3 days without leaving a reservoir?

[@CorkysFlora]

You could certainly use a reservoir while rooting. My way isn’t the only successful way of doing things. I would keep it in leca, in the prop box and just make sure the balls stay moist. With the lid on the box, you probably could go a week without checking it. Try to forget about it and it will regrow roots faster 😅

[@alouella]

I use plastic drinking cups

[@kyrad6543]

I've been using Talenti gelato containers. I use a wood-burning tool to melt/poke about 3-4 holes around the side approximately one inch above the base. This allows a reservoir of water at the bottom, but also allows flushing from the top. I fill the container with leca (no net pot). The lid also makes a nice little coaster for the container.

[@daquiri23]

What size were those net pots you showed?

[@CorkysFlora]

I think they are 3” pots

[@daquiri23]

@@CorkysFlora thank you so much!!

[@jalyazrojvaz223]

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[@evlynealeshire5850]

Jal, even if you added copious amounts of Ranch Dressing to your word salad comment it would continue to be gibberish. 🫤