Basically, semi-hydroponics means that plants are potted using LECA clay pellets. A hydroponic system can be a large unit that supports many plants, or it can be a small pot with a single plant. They named them after the German botanist Johann Gottfried Zinn. This happens far more often than it should. Follow me on Instagram for more plant care tips! But semi-hydro is more of closed system The water lives in a reservoir at the bottom of the cachepot, and is wicked up by the Leca to the roots. 5 out of 5 stars (60) $ 8.00. Semi hydroponics has been AMAZING for my PLANTS! Composition. If you want bushier plants, you can pinch the growth tip of the plants when young. Semi Hydro uses LECA (Light weight expanded clay aggregate) and this is just a different growing medium. The purpose of using semi-hydroponics for houseplants is to make their care easier, especially when it comes to under or overwatering. Some people LOVE this about semi-hydro. Let me spin you a tale of one of the biggest endeavors that I have ever attempted as a plant mom. In my experience, Monstera Roots grow like crazy in Semi Hydro. - Are you somebody who always overwaters your houseplant? A mix of moisture, sunlight and excess nutrients (especially phosphorus.). Arguably one of the most popular media to use in days past has been hydroton expanded… This made me think it was a bit intimidating and only for expert growers. Each one will work differently for your plants and need different watering and fertilizing needs. Whilst it is recommended that you change the water and flush your plants every now and again, it’s less wasteful than using soil. Also, decaying algae can smell pretty bad so it’s best to handle the situation ASAP if this happens to you. … Semi-Hydroponics … BUT when initially transitioning a plant that doesn’t like to stay too wet or has delicate roots you do not want to have the roots wet (from removing soil) AND the LECA to be wet too. If you try to put plants on a schedule, you invariably end up overwatering them. Be the first to get all our latest plant care tips! Spider mites don’t need soil at all, and any nonsense about them not liking moisture and therefore leca are, I’m afraid, untrue. Hydroponic plants generally grow faster than those grown in soil. But I've learnt from my mistakes every time. When it comes to setting up a hydroponic growing system, there are many different ways the creative people... Water & Fertilizer. They can have a single, semi … Anyway, if we’re comparing potting mix with Leca, there is one aspect on which Leca will always win out: it’s reusable. Thankfully I stopped doing this before I had any issues but I have heard stories about it happening to others. If you are nervous to try it, don’t be. It sets the plant up for root rot before it even has a chance to adjust to semi hydro. The difference between hydroponics and semi-hydroponics is that semi-hydro uses capillary or wicking action to uptake nutrients and water held in a reservoir. Well the reason new LECA needs to be soaked is that it leeches out excess minerals. This post may contain affiliate links. Special nutrients are available for hydroculture, these usually come in either powder or … Let me know how your Semi Hydro journey is going and if you have any of your own tips, tricks or mistakes! And do not over fertilize. Pingback: How To Add Nutrients for Plants in Semi Hydro - The Peculiar Rose. One … The plant adapts to the growing medium and forms roots that are more suitable for that growing method. Fun Facts about Zinnia. You can reuse potting mix, but you should really bake it in the oven to ensure all the nasty beasties are dead, but Leca just needs to be rinsed through thoroughly with boiling water. When I first decided to try Semi hydro I was so excited to try it that I bought the first nutrients I could find in store. Semi hydroponic orchid pot hack instructions: Wash ODLA grow media in a strainer to remove dust. More amazing that that, however, is the fact that semi-hydro … I have heard of people not using any nutrients at all and having great success, and many people use aquarium water, so you can always start off using what you have and just getting additional nutrients as and when (or if) you need them. This is helpful if, like me, you somehow mysteriously ended up with a load of plants and you’re not quite sure how. 2.7k A constant supply of water reaches the roots via capillary action. The yields are often greater than those grown in soil. When I first came across Semi Hydro there didn’t seem to be too many people using this method on all their houseplants. Plants are grown in an inert, porous material. Be prepared! You don't need a garden space—or much space at all—to grow plants. Join me on my indoor jungle journey, as I covert all of my houseplants into semihydroponics! Semi Hydro- (which is not a correct term, it’s actually called “passive hydro” standing for “passive hydroponics”) is the growing practice of using LECA balls, which are puffed clay balls that look like cocopuff cereal, to grow your houseplants. That green stuff is algae growing on the walls of the jar. It’s not necessary to do this every time you water but I like to do it every time I add new nutrients which is every 4 or so weeks. I can technically count plant care as work (and therefore sack off proper work on a Friday afternoon to do it) so i don’t really mind. We use leca clay pebbles. Spider mites like the dry and the warm, but they’ll settle for damp and cold if that’s all you’re offering. It’s all a bit overwhelming. What Are Expanded Clay Pellets? The reason I regret buying other nutrients is because you need so little and they last forever. easy watering! It’s like Breaking Bad for those of us that like jigsaws and crochet. This creates shorter side branching plants. Use a complete fertilizer like MSU (30-50ppm) at each watering during growth period. Some people notice a decline in their plants after a year and this is likely because they never change their LECA and the minerals build up over time. Leca not only doesn’t have that, but it also does have a water reservoir – not only can fungus gnats not breed, but should any fungus gnat be tempted, it could drown in the reservoir.