Hydroculture is the method of growing plants without soil. It is
widely recognized in Europe and slowly, very slowly making its
way here in North America. You have most likely heard
about ‘Hydroponics’ in a vague way. Hydroponics is the high-end
application, a method that’s automated, mostly related to the
production of food. This method has been extensively used
throughout Japan, the Middle East and Europe because of efficiency
of water, space and a high yielding of results.
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Hydroculture is the low-end of growing plants in water. It is also
referred to as passive hydroponic system, which means that
it lacks all the automation commonly associated with hydroponics.
Tropical plants thrive in this system, although just about any plant
can be trained in water – including cacti and succulents (roots are
not directly immersed in the water, they are above it). For plants
that like the moister environment, you will notice their roots growing
long and stretching right into the water.
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Hydroculture is confused at times with self-watering pots.
Although they share some similarities – both systems ease the task
of providing the plant with the appropriate amount of water – there
are significant differences. Hydroculture does not include soil, at
all. It has gone one step further and replaced the soil with a more
sterile medium: expanded clay.
This form of plant care is more popular in European
countries. Why?
Hydroculture is easy, clean, odorless and non-allergenic; it’s
especially welcomed by people with allergies to fungi, among other things,
and eliminates the possibility of non-allergenic individuals
developing an allergic reaction at some point – there’s no
more soil. The need to transplant is greatly reduced and there
are no more soil-related pests or diseases. Soil is commonly home
to a variety of insects, fungi, mildew and pests, which produces
less than desirable effects on the environment. With hydroculture
all of those ‘undesirables’ are omitted. There’s no more soil, just
a sterile medium, and no place for those nuisances to harbor.
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For many houseplants, the system is so appreciated that they grow
more vigorously. In soil, plants grow/stretch roots, constantly
seeking out nutrients and water, as soil tends to deteriorate over
time. In hydroculture, the nutrients are received through the water,
continuously available to the plant – it doesn’t have to go looking
for them. The plant will use less energy to grow/stretch roots and
direct it towards growing the parts of the plant that we see and
enjoy.
No more ‘over’ or ‘under’ watering, therefore fewer plant losses.
With a quick glance, you can determine whether your plant needs more
water or not. It’s as simple as that. With the hydroculture system,
you will achieve the ‘green thumb’ status you always hoped for.
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Hydroculture requires such little effort in caring for your plants
that you’ll wonder why in the world you’d ever want to go back to the
hassles of soil once you’ve started this method.
Welcome to the hydroculture world of growing houseplants!
About Hydroculture
