clay balls safe for CP's?

clay balls safe for CP's?#428261

By Camden -  Tue Jan 10, 2023 2:49 pm
Location:  Upper VA, U.S.A - Zone 7B
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- Tue Jan 10, 2023 2:49 pm #428261

Could I use these as a ground cover for some of my cp's? I saw a pic of someone using something similar and now I have to find something like it

https://www.amazon.com/GARDENERA-Decora ... 6Y3DT?th=1

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Re: clay balls safe for CP's?#428269

By Intheswamp -  Tue Jan 10, 2023 4:12 pm
Location:  N31°43'59" USDA 8a/b
Posts:  3420
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- Tue Jan 10, 2023 4:12 pm #428269

Doesn't clay have minerals in it?

https://www.britannica.com/science/clay-mineral
"Clay minerals are composed essentially of silica, alumina or magnesia or both, and water, but iron substitutes for aluminum and magnesium in varying degrees, and appreciable quantities of potassium, sodium, and calcium are frequently present as well."

Re: clay balls safe for CP's?#428272

By Sundews69 -  Tue Jan 10, 2023 4:17 pm
Location:  Wisconsin Zone 5a
Posts:  2388
Joined:  Fri Dec 03, 2021 5:57 pm

- Tue Jan 10, 2023 4:17 pm #428272

I have used Leca (expanded clay balls) for cps and it went fine. This looks different but maybe it would still work

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Re: clay balls safe for CP's?#428274

By Intheswamp -  Tue Jan 10, 2023 4:36 pm
Location:  N31°43'59" USDA 8a/b
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- Tue Jan 10, 2023 4:36 pm #428274

Interesting, some places state that the clay balls (hydroton or "Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate"(LECA) does not leach minerals, has a neutral pH7.0, and is used in terrariums and vivariums. https://bantam.earth/hydroton-expanded-clay-pebbles/

I dunno... It sounds good. Maybe try it on a plant or two and see how it works before committing whole-hawg?

Re: clay balls safe for CP's?#428275

By Sundews69 -  Tue Jan 10, 2023 4:44 pm
Location:  Wisconsin Zone 5a
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- Tue Jan 10, 2023 4:44 pm #428275

Yeah, I had it mixed in my potting mix when I first started with CPs. It was in a binata's pot but it got to cold so it died and I stopped using Leca because it is kinda expensive to use in potting mix. Now I use it in trays which I set my plants in to raise the humidity around them. I also have a giant boot tray on the bottom on my shelves with no plants that I filled with Leca and tap water. Basically what I'm trying to say is Leca is safe for CPs and is good at raising humidity.

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Re: clay balls safe for CP's?#428328

By optique -  Tue Jan 10, 2023 8:22 pm
Location:  Greenville SC
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- Tue Jan 10, 2023 8:22 pm #428328

depends on the make up of the clay. rinse then soak them and do a ph and tds test of the water.

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