How to prepare Leca for first use

When you're using Leca for the first time, it's covered in dust. This is not something we want to expose our plants to, so we should wash this off. If you're using Leca that's already washed by yourself, you can skip this process altogether and start planting your plant in the Leca, but if you just bought a bag of Leca (or clay balls) at a store, this guide is very important. When you buy a new bag of Leca at the store, there will be a lot of dust in the bag from the clay balls making contact with each other.

The right amount of Leca

To get started with cleaning the clay balls, get a bucket and get enough clay balls to fill your pot up to about an inch under the top. This way you'll definitely have enough Leca for your plant and any extra you can store away for a next time. Don't go all the way to the edge, because clay balls could roll out of the pot accidentally when handling your plant. We prefer to make taking care of plants easier, not tougher. A level like the image below is perfect for the amount you'll need to clean for your plant.

This is the ideal amount of Leca to clean for your plant, about an inch (2.5 cm) from the top of the pot. Add this Leca to a bucket filled with water.

Wash the Leca in water

The bucket now has the Leca you need for this process. It's best to get an extra bucket to make the cleaning process easier. By having two buckets, you can move the washed clay balls from one bucket to another. First, fill the bucket with the Leca with water and wash the clay balls thoroughly. When they're clean, move them into the second bucket, leaving the dirty water in the bucket you used to clean the clay balls. Throw the dirty water away and repeat the process until the leftover water is (almost) clean. This could be 4-5 cycles. It's probably best to do all of this outside, as you might not want the clay dust in your sink. Afterward, you're ready to plant your plant into this Leca and you've properly cleaned your clay balls.

Thank you for reading this post! I hope it helps you to keep your plants healthy and beautiful! If you're looking for more guides on specific plants, you can always request a plant guide to get a guide for the plant you have trouble with.

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