Top Five Reasons for Growing in Soilless Subtrates
- plantielilmama
- Jul 18, 2024
- 2 min read
If you’re a newbie plant parent you’re probably wondering, how can you grow houseplants without soil? Soilless or soil-free simply means a growing substrate that is free of mineral soil.
What’s important to remember is that not all soilless substrates are created equally. The are organic soilless substrates and inorganic soilless subtrates. Organic means “living” or something that comes from living matter. Bark, sphagnum moss, tree fern, peat moss, and coco coir are all examples of organic matter. Inorganic on the other hand, by logic is the opposite of organic, substances that are inert, belonging to an inanimate classification, or ones who do not arise from natural growth. The growing mashups that I make are classified as inorganic, made of volcanic rocks, naturally occurring stones, and earth granules.
I personally opted for inorganic growing substrates because it makes my growing medium inhospitable to pests. Organic mediums will decompose overtime and decomposition naturally attracts insects and bugs of all kinds. Enter PONfetti and SUCCohmash.
These two mashups, the PONfetti and SUCCohmash was born out of necessity. I could not get my hands on Lechuza pon during the pandemic to I researched how to DIY my own mix. I mean how complicated can it be right? Pumice + lava rocks + zeolite = PON. PONfetti is essentially the same mix and then some. I use two colours of lava rocks, medium grade pumice, green zeolite, and diatomaceous earth granules. SUCCOhmash is made up of the PONfetti base + amendments for more drought loving plants (calcined clay, maifanitum, & akadama). About 85% of my plant collection is growing in both mashups. The reality is, there are some plants in my own experience who do better in soil than rocks, that is the remaining 15% of my collection.
After all this info, I’m sure you’re asking why though? Here are my reasons...
1. Inorganic mediums are conducive to better pest prevention. No soil = less likely for pest larvae to survive. It also makes pest treatment a heck of a lot easier because flushing can get rid of most of the larvae in the medium.
2. Macronutrients + minerals present in rock mediums are useful, even essential to plant growth.
3. Better aeration and gas exchange in the root zone. Because rock substrates are porous, it does not compact so oxygen can always freely pass through. This results in less instances of overwatering and root rot.
4. Provides stability and anchors the plant in the pot.
5. The aesthetic of rock mediums (in my humble opinion) just looks 100x better than soil. Clean up from spillage is also 100x easier, which is a bonus if you’re born with the clumsy gene like me.
If you have been entertaining going soilless but can’t seem to make the leap, do reach out and we can chat about it. If you are busy and can’t or just don’t want to DIY your own mix, let’s chat cause I have the product for you. Or if you just have questions about growing mediums or plants in general, we can chat too! Leave a comment or send me an email, and I will get back to you.
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