Home > Semi-Hydroponic Culture > Inert Media Comparison > Early Experiments
My initial trials - with Aliflor brand medium having individual particles in the 8 mm-to-14 mm size - were met with mixed results. Of particular concern was the rapid drying of the medium in the upper part of the pot after watering, and the relatively fast development of a "bloom" on the surface, indicating a salt buildup from the fertilizer solution. That was a bit discouraging, but I was determined to find a "carefree" culture technique, so I kept on digging.
After a little searching, I acquired samples of two additional LECA media: one unbranded variety provided by the Taiwan Fu Kung Industrial Company, Ltd., and the other the PrimeAgraTM brand, imported from Europe. At that point I was prepared to run a "bench top" comparison of the three media to assess their relative applicability to my culture technique.
Physically, the media are similar only in the fact that they appear to be made of terra cotta clays similar to that used for the production of flower pots. As can be seen from the photograph below, the Taiwanese material (TWFKI) is extremely spherical and uniform in size. The Aliflor is smaller, less uniform in shape, and has a very rough surface bearing lots of tiny protrusions. The PrimaAgraTM material is also less uniform in size as well as shape, but has a smooth, almost shiny surface.
Later, I received a sample of the gray expanded shale material sold as Stalite, and subjected it to some of the same testing.
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