Planting Mediums

Lesson 3: Planting Mediums

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The purpose of this course is to discuss different types of mediums plants can live in. Each type will still require attentive watering and monitoring of pests. It often does not matter what medium you choose to keep your plant in, but some plants find more stability in one medium over the other.

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Objective: Participants will differentiate between planting mediums used for houseplants.

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Course Agenda

Soil guidelines

Water guidelines

Leca guidelines

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Moss guidelines

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Select each plant medium to learn more. After visiting all four, select Finish.

Moss

Leca

Water

Soil

Finish

When repotting, consider adding perlite or fertilizer.

Soil

Soil is likely what your plant will be grown in at the store or garden.

• Drainage is important for plants in soil to prevent pests and root rot.
• Stir the soil to mimic bugs in the dirt. This movement helps the soil dry out.
• Choose to top water or bottom water.

Add perlite to make soil more airy. The airyness helps the soil dry out between waterings.

Add slow release fertilizer for extra nutrients.

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Water

It is possible to grow plants using water only. If transferring a soil plant to water, be thorough in removing all the soil from the roots.

• Water does not hold enough nutrients for the plant. Add liquid fertilizer every other watering.
• To prevent algae from forming, do not let light touch the roots.
• Change the water and wash the vessle at least twice a month.
• Transferring a plant to water can help the plant recover from pests or root rot.

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Leca

LECA stands for Lightweight Expanded Clay Aggregate. Leca absorbs the water that sits underneath the plant to balance the moisture and air that surround the roots.

• Leca does not hold any nutrients for the plant. Regularly add liquid fertilizer to the water.
• Leca is reusable, but should be boiled before the first use to remove dust and grime.

• Use a netted pot to hold the leca and the plant, and a catch pot to hold the water.
• Transferring a plant to leca can help a plant recover from pests or rot.

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Moss

Moss will hold a lot of moisture, very similar to a sponge. It will take a long time for moss to dry out between waterings.

• Moss can cause rot when it is packed too tightly. Make sure the roots will still have plenty of air flow when planting in moss.
• Moss holds some nutrients, but it is okay to add liquid fertilizer occasionally to feed the plant.
• Orchids from the grocery store will often come in moss. Check to make sure it isn't packed too tightly.

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Planting Mediums in Review...

Soil

Water

A common planting medium, but beware or pests and drainage.

A great method for a recovering plant that had pests or rot. Add liquid fertlizer to feed the plant.

Moss

Soaks up water like a sponge. Not as common as soil, but orchids are often planted in moss.

Leca

Reusable clay pebbles that hold moisture so the roots do not sit in water. This helps prevent pests and root rot.

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Congratulations!

Lesson 3: Planting Mediums is complete. You may close this course.