There are five factors that affect plant growth – water, nutrients, air, temperature and light, growth being limited by the factor least correctly supplied.

The following in turn as they relate to the Hydroculture systems.

Water

Hydroculture is a unique system of soil-less plant growth employing sterile and chemically neutral clay pebbles for plant support and an accurate water level indicator for the monitoring of existing moisture in the base of the container that is available to the root mass. Water is the carrier of nutrients and enables plant cells to swell. The system makes ample water available for long periods. The risk of over or under watering is eliminated. Growing plants in this manner relieves plants of growing stresses.

The clay pebbles draw the water containing the nutrients up to the roots through capillary action. Although it is unavoidable that in some cases odd roots will extend to the lowest level where water exists; however, the majority of roots only receive water drawn up by capillary action.

A good Hydroculture system eliminates the guesswork in determining plant moisture needs. Because the water level indicators are easily seen with accuracy, a quick glance will tell you of the plant’s water needs. Therefore, a walk through any Hydroculture projects can quickly establish the moisture needs of the entire scheme.

With the water requirement needs answered by a simple gauge, the week to week survival of the plant is no longer dependent on the experiences of the maintenance staff. Therefore inexperienced staff can be responsible for the watering requirements of any Hydroculture product. In conjunction with this, because water is only added to the system when the reservoir is empty, Hydroculture plants require watering far less frequently than comparable soil plants. Therefore this allows more time to be allocated to other necessary duties of routine plant maintenance. Water is poured directly on the clay pebbles, commonly known as “Leca”.

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