LAVA ROCK: As Potting Medium

Culture Orchid Doctor

by Robert M. [Bert] Hamilton (Compiler)

Originally published in The Orchid Doctor in 1980 and 1988

Posted by Sys Admin almost 8 years ago.

Article Blog   Article Index
Growth in this is satisfactory providing it is not allowed to get too dry and if it is periodically flushed to get rid of the salt build-up. A80-1141

It lasts almost forever, resists rot, is cost-effective, drains well, has no problems associated with it, can wait for repotting until third or fourth year; is popular in Hawaii. A86-495

Share on Social Media:  
Log in to Add a Comment

More The Orchid Doctor Articles under the Heading Lava Rock

Lava Rock Comments
LAVA: As Potting Medium Occurs in many varieties differing in structure and constitution; has many ideal growing characteristics; pumice is one variety; its advantages; refer to C72-70+ 0
LAVA ROCK: Also Called Scoria Red lava rock can be obtained in the western States from commercial-industrial roofers and from plant nurseries. A83-951 0
LAVA ROCK: A Review of Culture After Two Years Trial Red lava rock in clay pots was still ideal for a general collection of cattleyas; phalaenopsis, in plastic pots; vandas in one-inch size rock also in plastic, the same for dendrobiums, equitant oncids in small clay pots, plus many other genera; 20-20-20 fertilizer on seedlings was served year round and on the general collection from April to June; a feed of 5-15-5 was given June to August and January to March; a bloom booster was given in October to December or even into February in cooler areas. A83-950 0
LAVA ROCK: As a Substitute for Bark Red lava has distinctive characteristics, for comments, comparisons, criticism which point up mostly its advantages, such as re-usability for many applications and because it does not assimilate nitrogen it is appropriate for many genera, cattleyas and dendrobiums especially. A80-1384 0
LAVA ROCK: In Cymbidium Mixes It is too porous alone and in a high humidity situation it would retain too much water. OA82-6 0
LAVA ROCK: Potting Medium Used in Hawaii, also in California; success reported for various genera, especially with cymbidiums and using coarse lava rock and coarse bark mixed; lasts five years; do not use conventional leaching but water heavily; both black and red volcanic rock used; can be mixed with gravel, crushed rock, pebbles or chopped polystyrene packing materials. OA78-198 0

New Topics

  1. James W McCully asked question How to read archived articles ? in category General Discussion
  2. David George asked question recently purchased orchid - what to expect in category General Discussion
  3. Danielle Carbonneau asked question phalaenopsis, dendrochum and Odontoglossum in category Phalaenopsis
  4. Nicholas Filannino asked question Phalaenopsis William Kistler? in category General Discussion
  5. Mark Farran asked question How to open and read articles listed in category General Discussion
Ask a Question

Start a Topic

New Comments

  1. Louis Wilson commented on member plant E. alata f. alba by Louis Wilson
  2. Julie Ellner commented on member plant Phal. amabilis var. formosanum by Vickie Seibert
  3. Julie Ellner commented on member plant Rlc. Green Dragoon 'Mendenhall' by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  4. Danielle Carbonneau commented on member plant Ons. Catatante 'Los Roble' by Henry Shaw
  5. Barry J Silver commented on orchid Lyon. SunCoast Pink Passion
  6. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Phalaenopsis William Kistler?" by Nicholas Filannino
  7. Carol Holdren commented on orchid Colm. Eric Gabriel Heines
  8. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Cattleya little susie" by Juliann Eckhard
  9. Carol Holdren commented on member plant Bc. Morning Glory by Chris Siolo
  10. R .Benson commented on member plant Kir. New Hybrid (Fred Clarke) SVO9831 by R .Benson
  11. Carol Holdren commented on topic "Blooming Stenglottis Venus “jamboree “" by John Urey
  12. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Lc. Canhamiana var. coerulea 'Cobalt' by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  13. Jeanne Uzar Hudson commented on member plant Sns. gemmata by Jeanne Uzar Hudson
  14. Stefan Neher commented on topic "Orchid roots .com site?" by Mary Lane
  15. Kevin Barry commented on member plant Bul. Tammie Sue Pernas by Tony Pernas
  16. Linda Hartman commented on member plant Ctt. Final Blue by Linda Hartman
  17. Kevin Bergeson commented on member plant Paph. rothschildianum by Kevin Bergeson
  18. Carol Holdren commented on topic "recently purchased orchid shows unstoppable roots " by David George
  19. Michael Makio commented on orchid V. Beatrice Makio
  20. Carol Holdren commented on topic "shorter stem with less vigorous blooms" by katherine mott