Why Go Hydroculture ?

Converting from soil to hydroculture is easy. But why would you want to switch from familiar soil plants to a relatively unknown process like hydroculture? As a plant owner, you want the best for your plants, both indoors and out. Biophilia experts explain just how beneficial hydroculture can be.

Ease of Maintenance: 

Biophilia has found that the number one cause of plant death is either over- or under watering  Ask any plant owner and they are likely to agree: when and how much to water has been the age-old question for every gardener. Soil-based plants give almost no indication of how much water they need. Each hydro culture plant kit, on the other hand, comes with a water level indicator gauge, making it virtually impossible to over- or underwater your plant.

Dirt/Odor:

 Let’s start with the simplest reason: dirt. Every grower knows what it’s like to accidentally bump into or knock over a plant filled with soil. Dirt gets everywhere, and it can take hours to clean up. Not only can soil plants cause messes indoors, some can also emit noxious odors. Common soil ingredients, depending on the brand, can include rock dust, peat moss, worm castings, manure, and compost, resulting in an unpleasant smell inside your home. Hydro-culture plants grow in water and LECA, a clay aggregate formed into pebbles that, if spilled, are quick and easy to clean up with no odor.

Re potting: 

Plants in soil generally need to be reported annually to avoid soil compaction. Compaction occurs when soil particles are pressed together, reducing pore space between them and decreasing oxygen in the dirt. Excessive soil compaction can obstruct root growth and limit the amount of soil explored by roots, which impedes the plant’s ability to absorb nutrients and water. Hydro culture plants do not use soil and seldom need repotting. If you ever do need to repot your hydroponic plant, the LECA is reusable and easy to transport.

Soil-Borne Pests and Mold: 

Working with soil, the grower is more likely to deal with weeds, insects and other pests. Not only are these pests detrimental to the health of the plant, but they also pose a nuisance to humans. Adults and larvae of soil insects may fly or crawl around the soil surface as well as the home or office in which the plant is placed. Indoor mold is also likely, since mold feeds from dead moist organic matter like wood, paper and plant soil. Mold can produce VOCs which can impact negatively on human health. Hydroculture plants are hypoallergenic. While unlikely, there are a few pests that can develop on a hydroculture plant, but they are easily preventable/curable. As for mold issues, hydroculture plants live on water rather than soil, erasing the problem completely.

Weight:

 Soil is bulky, heavy, and can be expensive to replace. A hydroculture plant weighs about a third less than the same size soil plant because you are using water to feed the roots instead of soil. And water is free!

Growth: 

Plants grown in soil must be spaced farther apart so their roots don’t compete for water and nutrients. In order to increase their surface area to absorb minerals, root systems spread throughout the soil. Because the roots devote more energy to growing these roots, the plant grows much slower and is less likely to flower or fruit than a hydroculture plant. Plants grown hydroponically don’t waste energy growing extensive root systems, resulting in faster-growing greenery.

Disease: 

Fungi spores are very common in soil, and most plants are susceptible to their pathogens. Many fungal pathogens can cause disease of the plant’s roots or stem, disrupting the uptake of water and nutrients from the soil, which can lead to wilting, yellowing, stunting or even plant death.