Guide for Kids: Gardening Without Dirt - Mastering Soilless Cultivation
Hydroponics, derived from the Greek words 'hydro' (water) and 'ponos' (work), is a fascinating method to grow plants without soil. This innovative technique has gained popularity for its efficiency and versatility.
In hydroponic systems, seeds or small plants are added to a growing medium, such as coconut coir, clay pebbles, gravel, perlite, or a coconut husk. A 2-liter plastic bottle can serve as a container for this purpose.
To prepare the growing medium at home, a simple recipe is to mix 1 part peat moss, 2 parts compost, 1 part vermiculite, and 1 part perlite or sand.
Once the growing media is in place, a small cutting of a parent plant is used. The stem of the cutting is submerged in a small container of water. If possible, use rainwater or bottled water, or let tap water sit for 24 hours to allow chemicals to disperse.
A wick made of cotton or felt is used to draw water up to the plant's roots. This wick is usually placed in the growing media.
In one type of hydroponic system, the roots of the plants are brought into contact with water containing mineral nutrients. A reservoir is used to store this nutrient-rich water.
The container is sealed to create a warm and moist environment. Roots will start to emerge within 1-2 weeks. It's essential to change the water every 2-4 weeks and fertilize the plant every 4-6 weeks with a liquid fertilizer designed for hydroponics.
This method is not only suitable for common houseplants like pothos, lucky bamboo, and lucky plants, but also for a variety of other plants such as air plants, succulents, Philodendron, Orchids, Spider Plants, English Ivy, Chinese Evergreen, Coleus, Marimo Moss Balls, Paperwhites, and several others.
Hydroponics is not only a practical way to grow plants, but also a fun and educational activity for kids to learn about gardening and plant growth. Clear or coloured glass containers are recommended for hydroponics to watch the plant's root system grow and easily check the cleanliness of the water.
In Germany, many plants can grow without soil by using hydroponics or by growing them directly in water, a method called ornamental hydroponics. This is particularly popular for certain houseplants.
So, if you're looking for a new and exciting way to grow plants, hydroponics might just be the solution for you!
