Get Growing with Hydroculture

Hydroculture
is the method of growing plants in an inert medium with water and fertilizer rather than soil.

This form of plant care is tremendously popular in European countries. Why? Hydroculture is easy, clean and you have greater success in raising healthy house plants. You can tell at a glance when your plant needs to be watered. It's simple! No move over or under watering therefore fewer plant losses.

ADVANTAGES OF HYDROCULTURE OVER SOIL

Cleaner than soil and easier to clean up spills
Less risk of staining furniture
Non-allergic
Grow medium never needs to be replaced
Odour free
Good root aeration because pebbles do not compact
Pest free - no centipedes, sowbugs, worms or other soil pests
Fertilize just once every 4 - 6 months
Water every 2 - 3 weeks (4 max.) and vacation worry free
Water level indicator tells when plants need watering
High and low water loving plants can inhibit same pot
Even nutrient and water supply yields healthier faster growing plants
Hydroculture plants have smaller root systems and require less frequent transplanting

THE PLANT'S ENVIRONMENT

Each type of plant prefers a certain amount of light, temperature and humidity to thrive. Choose one of the many good books available on the care of house plants to determine what your particular plant requires.

Light especially is often a limiting factor in many households for growing plants. Be sure to pay particular attention to this factor.

TRANSPLANTING FROM SOIL TO HYDROCULTURE

Soak clay pebbles in water overnight to saturate.

Rooted cuttings or small plants transplant more easily than larger plants. Water plants to soften soil around roots.

Squeeze sides of pot or use a knife to loosen soil and remove plant from pot. GENTLY REMOVE ALL LOOSE DIRT WITHOUT DAMAGING ANY ROOTS.

Soak root ball in room temperature water until soil is soft (up to several hours). Wash all soil from roots in a pail of water. BE GENTLE TO THE ROOTS.

Rinse roots under the tap with room temperature water to remove the last bits of soil. Roots must be clean to prevent rot.

Remove all dead roots and prune back long ones to stimulate new growth. Keep roots moist.

Fill liner with clay pebbles and rinse under tap until the water runs clean.

With the liner half full of pebbles fan out the roots and place on pebbles. Gently fill liner to top with remaining pebbles.

After planting, rinse the pebbles once again to remove the last traces of soil and dust. Install indicator in liner. Place this assembly into the outer shell.

Water until the indicator reads optimum. DO NOT fertilize until next watering.

To keep the humidity high, cover pot with a clear plastic bag until plant gets started. Then gradually tear holes in bag until it is finally removed.

GENERAL PLANT CARE

Re-Watering
For good root aeration DO NOT re-water until the indicator reaches the minimum setting. Wait 3-4 days then add water to bring the indicator up to the optimum mark.

Only water above this mark during extended absence. In order to check low water levels, tip planter and watch response of indicator. NOTE: Do NOT use artificially softened water.

Fertilization
First fertilize the new transplant after it has used up it's initial watering. Following directions add the proper amount of Time Release Fertilizer (or other) to the reservoir and water to the Optimum mark.

You will not need to add any more fertilizer for 4-6 months. Turn the dial on top of the indicator to the month you need to fertilize next.