How to Get Started with LECA!

[@lindsayhendrickson2957]

ive watched a thousand LECA videos (first time LECA user over here...), and yours is by far the most helpful and concise, especially for a first timer. Thank youuuuu!

[@rootandwell1525]

I appreciate that! So much to fit in but I try and make it very limited to just information so I appreciate hearing that it’s useful for you!

[@tiffadaeze17]

I would have to agree! I've watched like 20 LECA videos and this is the best!

[@princesssachikoikeda1050]

I just transferred my monstera deliciosa into LECA from water propagation.This video was very helpful! Please make more we’ll inform videos about LECA!

[@rootandwell1525]

Thank you so much! I hope your M.Deliciosa transfers well! Working on a transfer video and then a nutrient video next!

[@tesiainez7641]

I’m literally 6 mins in and you’ve already taught me so much. Wow. Definitely subscribed now!

[@rootandwell1525]

Tesia Inez thank you so much! I’m just dipping my toes in/ getting started but I plan to do more video like this in the near future! Thanks for the subscribe!

[@madamplant]

Me too

[@nsharinricketts3601]

Same!!

[@MrsMeeker0328]

Giiiirl I have been searching for 3 days for the perfect video to help with set up... idk what I did to cone across this one but I am incredibly grateful!! Thank you so much!

[@Mz.Hooked-TheTravelingAngler]

Great vid!!! Im so fed up with the bugs. Everything is going to LECA!!!!

[@maloriequeen]

This was soooo helpful. Just getting started with leca and hydroponics and I’m so glad I came across this before scouring the entire internet. Followed you for sure! Looking forward to future videos from you. Thank you!!

[@marysunshine389]

A couple pieces of clear packaging tape connected from the inside edge to outside edge makes a sturdy “lift” handle for your net pot.

[@rootandwell1525]

Yes, love this tip!

[@LittleGardenSK]

Thank you! I’ve been looking for a tutorial for beginners and this video hit the mark! I do indoor hydroponics for vegetables and herbs so looks like I have everything I need to get started with Leca! Subscribed and looking forward to seeing more of your videos!

[@rootandwell1525]

I’m so happy to hear that! I have yet to get into veggies in hydroponics but hopefully I can try that next.

[@mommayanna]

This video is a keeper! Very helpful

[@nzdarling1124]

Thank you for this excellent, clear tutorial. I have been growing some houseplants in water, and can't wait to use the leca method. Thanks to your video, I am sure it will be successful. Wishing you joy and happy growing.

[@FlyLadySuave]

Yes girl, yes! Love it! Easy to follow and setup the plant community!🌱🌱🌱💕💕💕💕

[@rootandwell1525]

Thank you so much, Monalisa! 🖤🖤🖤

[@747070]

Thank you for the guide! I came across this concept just yesterday and already got leca soaking in the kitchen :D Gonna start with an alocasia and some cuttings from a philodendron I have! About the IKEA planters not having holes in the bottom, this is something I've heard several times americans commenting. But the standard in Sweden is to have a closed ceramic container with a plastic one inside. Not as common with pots with holes in the bottom and a tray underneath. I have a few of those but they are a pain to water in my opinion since it always spills out over the trays end! I will not be getting any more of those...

[@khushboorani3611]

This is the best information I got on KZbin about leca

[@rootandwell1525]

Thank you! That’s too kind of you to say.

[@heatherperes6010]

Great Video! Please keep making. By far best explained beginner Leca tutorial. I’m trying to conver, but am so lost.

[@rootandwell1525]

Heather Peres wow! Thank you so much for that compliment. I’m so glad it was helpful!

[@marisachamberlain1813]

thank you for this video ! I’m a first time leca user and your video has helped me so much !!

[@rootandwell1525]

So glad!

[@whoispaigeee]

This video was VERY helpful and clear. Thank you for the information! I feel more at ease trying Leca out😊

[@rootandwell1525]

Thanks so much!

[@Al_Mahatma_Gandhi_____Am]

The best video I've seen about plant

[@rootandwell1525]

Thank you so much!

[@jackwinter1385]

Instead of drilling wholes, I prefer a soldering iron to make wholes in plastic. Just do it in a well aerated place because of the maybe toxic gases while heating the plastic.

[@violetvidaurri6571]

I would love to transfer my plants to leca, this video was very helpful.

[@rootandwell1525]

Violet Vidaurri, thank you so much! If you want to see some of my day to day, I am also on instagram. I hope you have fun and let me know if there are any questions!

[@mommayanna]

Great video! Thank you

[@growing_with_lily]

Good video! I don’t have or bought any net pots, use all thrifting glass and reused plastic pots from plants got from stores . The glass is always so prettyyy

[@rootandwell1525]

Thank you so much! I totally agree that you do not need net pots. I just drilled holes in a peanut butter jar this morning :))

[@mariachan667]

8

[@brendaboles3875]

Very helpful for me as a beginner.

[@gehanmallawaratchy4970]

I keep Monsteras in LECA and orchid pots. Usually when I first transfer a Monstera to LECA, many roots will die off in a week or so. This is quite normal. I take the plant out of LECA after a week of repotting to remove all dead roots as leaving decaying material in LECA will contribute to root rot. What are your thoughts on this?

[@theanamachine]

Thank you! This was super helpful! Loved this video. 🥰

[@rootandwell1525]

Ana-Sofia Navarrete DuLaney thank you for watching!

[@leslieknackstedt4815]

Thank you for explaining Leca without going into it too much, LOL. Great video. I think I will give it a try. If I use jars, do I have to drill a hole in it? I saw another video where she drilled one hole on the front of the jar about 1/3 up. Is this for draining the water easier when it needs to be changed?

[@rootandwell1525]

Thank you! Haha, it’s a fine line between too much information and not enough! You do not have to drill holes but it makes it easier in the long run. You should flush out the water before each nutrient feeding and this can become tedious without hold. That said, I have plenty without holes!

[@rootandwell1525]

Also! I respond much faster on IG if you have follow up questions!

[@Hello_Fuckers0]

I've found a soldering iron or a wood burner work well to make holes in plastic containers. Even the ones that don't drill well. It smells terrible, that's a downside

[@rootandwell1525]

That is a great tip, Mike!

[@mikekufner1192]

Helpful! Thank you! I want to transfer some of my more difficult plants in the hopes they will do better. Peggy from Peggy's plants says she uses the same fertilizer for both her semi hydro plants and her soil based plants. I might try that first since I won't have to buy new nutrients and see how that goes and if it doesn't work I will buy the general hydroponics nutrients. I am going to start with one plant as an experiment this weekend. Then switch over the rest that I want to setup this spring. It actually seems way easier than soil if you ask me.

[@rootandwell1525]

Worth a shot! There’s more than way to do things for sure :) 🖤

[@sarangbabo12]

I'm definitely saving this video because I'm about to start my LECA journey! But I had a couple of questions! 1) I've seen a couple videos saying that people should drill a hole into the glass container's when planting with LECA...do you think that is necessary? 2) When flushing LECA to get rid of the sodium build up, should we flush with tap water? Or flush with a pH balanced water (if our tap water is not in spec)? Thank you for such a helpful tutorial!

[@rootandwell1525]

Hi, Pira, you can drill a hole so that it makes it easier to flush but you don’t have to! I have several in solid glass. I like to experiment with my setups. You can see more of them on my Instagram @rootandwell. On the flushing, it’s fine to flush with tap but if you have hard water, you will see more of a build up on your LECA over time. It’s not entirely detrimental in the short term but you can pH test the water before and after you refill to see if the build up is making a difference over time. Might save you the time of having to pH balance every time you flush. Hope this helps. 🖤

[@sarangbabo12]

@@rootandwell1525 thank you so much!!

[@TashasTouch]

Thank you

[@aaaaaaaas67]

thank you!!! simple and well explained !

[@rootandwell1525]

Thank you so much!

[@devbiol86]

Can I just use the regular planter pots with holes at the bottom or do I need these net pots? Great video!!!

[@Cvs-om3hd]

Hello my name is Connie nice to meet you and to be on your Channel. I'm just starting my lack of experience today which is January 21st no Ashley's January 22nd so I'm wishing myself luck and I hope you wish me luck too I have a house full of plants I had to pull in from outside because of the weather I live here in Texas I'm hoping I can save all my plants

[@ejohns8860]

Thank you for the information. You did not cover your method for rinsing the leca in the glass vase plant? Do you dump the leca each time you rinse (every 3-4 days) to get rid of the soil in the water?

[@rootandwell1525]

That’s the next video I’m trying to edit ever so slowly! But, yes, sometimes I dump it all. Other times, I just put my hand over the top and let the water drain out and rinse a few times. It depends on how easy the container is to manage or whether I know there’s a lot of dead roots or debris I need to manually remove.

[@brianhardaway9716]

Thanks for the video. If your water is is 6.0-6.5 why do you need to add anything else other than fertilizer?

[@dwayneredman6037]

I have a vase with LECA and the Monstera is thriving, and it has a lot of green on the sides is this ok or should I change the water

[@Ph.Tran88]

Listen on 1.5 speed, you’re welcome.

[@mommayanna]

Will SUPERTHRIVE help my plant if I use it after having transitioned my plant to leca 2 weeks ago? My plant doesn’t look great. It looks like it’s going through shock. I changed from soil to leca

[@FlyLadySuave]

Ps your hair curls are 🔥🔥🔥

[@rootandwell1525]

Thanks! I did tried! 🖤

[@pings_n_things]

Can you use a standard, water soluble indoor fertilizer (like a 2-2-2) instead of the typical hydroponics nutrients?

[@rootandwell1525]

In my research, specialized hydroponic nutrients are better and there’s less adjusting. You could probably get away with using a standard fertilizer for a bit, but overtime it might hinder growth or harm the plant. Another bad outcome is, if you’re not setting up a specific level of nutrients in your system, like you can fine tune with hydro nutrients, if could cause salt buildup which could kill your roots if you don’t catch it in time to flush it. It could also wildly throw off your pH, which is something I monitor when I’m adding nutrients anyways, but you’d want to make sure to get a pH testing kit and a buffer +/- solution. Good luck!

[@gwapamae3770]

Hi! Very helpful content…since i’m still starting to transfer my plants to LECA. I have one question though regarding the Superthrive solution. How do you apply it? I mean, do u have to do this together with the “first” reservoir of water upon transferring the plant or just pour it just like wetting the entire LECA together with the newly potted plant? I hope to hear from you. Thank you. Keep safe

[@robinjennings1116]

Great video!! I just discovered you and am now a subscriber. Couple of questions - In the clear glass containers, how do you control algae and if moving a Hoya from coco chunks, how do you remove the chunks without harming the roots? Thanks!

[@rootandwell1525]

Hi, Robin! Thanks so much for subscribing! 🖤 I have yet to experience an algae issue because I keep the glass containers out of direct sunlight and I flush at least once a month. If you do get algae, you’d have to boil the LECA. And as to the Hoya in coco chunks, I actually just had a similar issue and previewed that in my second LECA video (how to transfer from soil to LECA). I did as much as I could and expected the roots to peel it off on their own during the transition period. I would just give that plant a little extra flushing care given that the added debris could cause bacterial issues.

[@robinjennings1116]

@@rootandwell1525 Thank you for your quick reply and the help! :)

[@sherryhann4698]

Can all plants go into leca? PPP, anthurium, succulents?

[@a.girl.has.many.plants3743]

What about nutrients and vitamins how do plants gets those important nutrients

[@roohikaliajain]

Great video. Can I grow crasulla Gollum/trumpet in leca?

[@NaNgNg0]

Superthrive is something that I don't have luck with for semi hydroponics. My plants seem to not like it even if I use the tiniest bit

[@rootandwell1525]

NaNg Ng thanks for the comment! That’s interesting. What happens to your plants? Wilting?

[@revealed434]

When plants sit in water like that the root don’t rot ??

[@hanistahir]

Such a wonderful and informative video! If I’m using the mason/glass jars, do I need to drill holes? Cause I saw some tutorials doing that and I actually prefer not to 😅. Thank you for making this video! I’m a plant newbie from Malaysia 😊

[@rootandwell1525]

Hi! Welcome to the plant world! I have had a few in glass/ masons and not bothered to drill holes. There’s pros and cons. Pros - it’s pretty and you don’t need to bother with drill bits. Cons- slightly more difficult to flush, ie run water through the LECA to prevent build up of salts and minerals. I briefly touch on this in my “how to transfer from soil to LECA” video. I tend to only put my plants with more durable roots in these set ups. Good luck!

[@hanistahir]

@@rootandwell1525 Hello! Thank you for the welcoming remarks! Alright, I have watched the video you’ve suggested. How often do you recommend me to flush out the water since it’s not drained out naturally? I’m planning to have philodendrons and monstera adansonii grown in leca 😊

[@tracydr01]

Is there anything less expensive than Leca? I have a bunch of huge plants I’d like to transfer from soil

[@jessiemcglone183]

This video inspired me to try my first leca experiment!! How much of the superthrive do you recommend using and how often?? Thanks!!

[@rootandwell1525]

Jessie McGlone yay! Love to hear that! The instructions on the bottle say a drop per cup, so about 4 ounces. I use it for the first four weeks anytime I need to flush or fill the water reservoir but sometimes I forget so it’s not a hard and fast rule. Then, in between nutrients, which is another video I need to do, i add it to the reservoirs whenever they’re low. Hope that helps!

[@valleriakirkwood2038]

Thanks for speedy reply re net pots. What sizes do you have please. Not,so,easy to get in Australia.

[@rootandwell1525]

We have really random sizes at hydroponic stores but you can always just drill holes in any plastic containers!

[@marikasmith5556]

You have a large pothos in a large round glass bowl. Are you happy with that bowl for leca? Is it hard to flush?

[@rootandwell1525]

I love it! It’s a little more work than with a net pot but pothos are hardy so the roots don’t mind.

[@marikasmith5556]

@@rootandwell1525 is it hard to flush? I imagine you have to tip the entire bowl and somehow stop all the leca and plant from falling out. I’m asking because I have the same bowl I want to use!

[@rootandwell1525]

@@marikasmith5556 it’s not that hard. Yes, tip bowl and use your hand to prevent LECA from falling out is how I did it. Sometimes I would empty the whole thing out in a strainer to reset the root ball.

[@valleriakirkwood2038]

Hi. Good video. How do u work out what size of net pot you need for plant?

[@rootandwell1525]

Hi, trial and error mostly. But once I clean the roots, I basically try it in the pots I think will work that I have on hand. You want the roots to sot 1/3 from the bottom

[@louisabyr6826]

Can you put plants in Lecca without adding water in the glass jar. Just by washing the lecca.

[@rootandwell1525]

Yes, but it makes it harder for you in terms of maintenance because you’d have to keep wetting the LECA so it doesn’t dry out completely!

[@sutepi]

Hello, thank you for the video ! I watched a lot of leca videos and some people say that we have to drill a hole in the glass. Is it necessary ? Thank you :)

[@rootandwell1525]

Hi there! It’s not necessary but it makes things easier in the long term. I have plenty without holes (aka “no net pot” method).

[@lauolivia29]

I always wonder, is it catch, cache pot?

[@rootandwell1525]

Gooooood question. I’ve been saying cache 🤷🏽‍♀️

[@Itslaurrrenb]

Hi I think I may need help. I just bought a a small fiddle leaf fig tree and I just transitioned it to Leca. This is my first time and I’m scared that I shocked it. So I have a catch container that’s a bit too big for the tree so I added water and leca at the bottom for leverage. I then have the tree in his nursery pot with soaked leca. I noticed the two of the leaves turning slightly yellow and one of them is drooping down slightly. What should I do? And some of the leaves are not shiny even though I’ve been cleaning them. Please help!

[@rootandwell1525]

Lauren Benton - are you flushing your LECA regularly during the transition period? Take away the reservoir and flush every 3-4 days. Have you tested the pH of your water? A period of transition is expected. I transitioned a FLF and it dropped a lot but then once the roots established it pushed out a lot of new growth!

[@Itslaurrrenb]

Root and Well: thank you for replying. I just took it out of its reservoir a few days ago and flushed out the leca. Should I add super thrive? How do I add it with the leca?

[@leemarjarepulda9659]

Hi. do we really need a tiny hole for the glass glass pot? is it okay it none? Ty :)

[@rootandwell1525]

Sorry, must’ve missed this comment. You don’t really need holes or a net pot set up, no. There’s pros and cons.

[@sachamanuel2931]

Does it need to sit in water?

[@rootandwell1525]

The LECA? You do need a reservoir or it will dry out but the entire root system does not need to be submerged.

[@you_r_my-world2288]

Me, I got started because I freaking gnat flies 😡

[@drewbarnes9243]

You have a KZbin channel? I didn’t even know 😂

[@rootandwell1525]

I’m dabbling 🤣

[@ceecee8757]

Hey, chica! When you mentioned water change every few days during the first 3 to 4 weeks, do you use SuperThrive each time? Thanks in advance for all the tips! #newsubbie

[@rootandwell1525]

Sorry I missed your comment earlier, friend! I use superthrive inconsistently, honestly. It is a tool that can help, but I don’t always remember it and my plants do just fine. And the “water change” aka ‘shower method’ is a method to transition plants from soil to semi-hydro, if that makes sense, so if you were going to use ST, that would be the time to remember it, unlike me, ;)

[@floroma2820]

It seems to me the plant is growing in water and the leca is just holding it up.

[@rootandwell1525]

Hi, what you describe is hydroponics, which you can certainly do with LECA (or any inorganic medium) and more water but I have been setting up my plants in semi or passive hydroponics where the LECA wicks the water upwards to the plant. Hope that makes sense. 🖤

[@tinakoto5749]

Are you growing bird of paradise in LECA?

[@rootandwell1525]

I have not yet myself but I’ve seen it done.

[@mablefarris733]

How much water should you add when using Leca?

[@rootandwell1525]

(Assuming you’re not in a transition phase) It depends where your water reservoir is, which is the magic behind LECA because you don’t have to guess on the amount of water.

[@mirib5007]

Cash-poh. Not catch pot. It’s French.

[@felipesantanna861]

"It's not nutrients, just vitamins".... honey vitamins are nutrients

[@rootandwell1525]

Thanks, honey.