Drainage is very important for plants, since the vast majority of them are not used to living with “wet feet” and if we water too often, we will most likely end up losing them, especially if we keep them in pots. To avoid this, it is essential not only to control irrigation, but also to plant them in a suitable substrate .
For this reason, I am going to introduce you to porous substrates for plants . In this way, you will be able to know which one to use for your pots, which I can assure you will grow like never before.
Index
- 1 Akadama
- 2 coconut fiber
- 3 Perlite
- 4 pumice
- 5 Vermiculite
- 6 Important: pay your plants
Akadama
If you like bonsai, you have probably heard of akadama . It is a red-brown granular clay that comes from volcanoes found in Japan. It is used as a neutral growing medium, mainly for growing miniature trees. It holds a lot of moisture, and it’s easy to tell when to water as it turns a darker brown when the water moistens it .
Coconut fiber
Image – ALBOGARDEN
Coconut fiber comes from the fruit of the coconut palm tree ( Cocos nucifera ): the coconut. It has an acid pH, between 5.5 and 6.2, making it suitable for most plants. In addition, it has the ability to retain nutrients and gradually release them, and it remains moist for a long time, so that it allows us to save water.
perlite
Perlite is a stone of volcanic origin that forms when lava cools rapidly and due to this cooling the water is trapped inside the rock and the lava transforms into a glassy structure. It contains between 2 and 5% water, and is characterized by being a beautiful white color. In addition, it is light and can be used to grow any type of plant .
pumice
Image – Pomice per Bonsai
This type of porous stone is of volcanic origin, and is characterized by having a great retention of water ; although yes, it takes a little while to absorb it, but once it does, it is one of the best substrates for plants that exist. It is mainly used in the cultivation of bonsai by mixing it with akadama, but I also recommend it for cacti, succulents and caudiciform plants such as Adenium or Pachypodium.
vermiculite
Vermiculite is a mineral substrate that is mined primarily in the United States, China, South Africa, Brazil, and Zimbabwe. It is formed by silicates of iron or magnesium and belongs to the group of micas. Its structure is laminar and contains some water. It retains a lot of water and nutrients , which makes it the ideal substrate for seedbeds and growing plants.
Important: pay your plants
Porous substrates for plants do not have the necessary nutrients for a plant to feed and grow , so it is necessary to fertilize it during the growing season -spring and summer- so that it does not have problems.
