What is Hydroculture?
Hydroculture is a type of horticulture that involves growing plants in a soilless medium, such as clay pebbles. The medium acts as a support for the plant and its roots, while also providing water and oxygen to the root zone. The medium does not contain any nutrients, so the plants need to be fed with a water-soluble fertilizer every 6 months.
Hydroculture vs. Hydroponics
Hydroculture is different from hydroponics, which is another soilless method of growing plants.
Hydroponics uses a liquid nutrient solution as the growing medium, instead of a solid one. Hydroponics requires more equipment, such as pumps, timers, and reservoirs, to deliver the solution to the plants. Hydroponics also requires more monitoring and testing of the pH and electrical conductivity of the solution. Hydroponics mainly applies to vegetable gardening.
Hydroculture is simpler and more accessible than hydroponics, as it does not require any special equipment or skills. Hydroculture can be done with any type of container plant pot, such as pots, trays, or baskets – as long as they are waterproof. Hydroculture plant pots don’t need for any drainage holes at the bottom. Hydroculture can be done indoors, as long as the selected plants receive the light and temperature they need. Hydroculture mainly applies to indoor plant design.
Hydroculture vs. Soil Plants
Hydroculture has many advantages over soil-based media, such as water efficiency, cleanliness, and durability. Hydroculture uses less water than soil, as the medium retains moisture and prevents evaporation. Hydroculture is also cleaner than soil, as it does not produce any dust or dirt that can stain the containers or the surroundings. Hydroculture is also more durable than soil, as it does not degrade or erode over time.
Here are some statistics and facts that show the difference between hydroculture and soil-based plants:
1. Water Consumption
| Water Consumption | Hydroculture | Soil-based |
|---|---|---|
| Average watering schedule | Every 4 to 8 weeks | Every 2 to 4 days |
| Water efficiency | High | Low |
| Water evaporation | Low | High |
| Water level indicator | Yes | No |
2. Pest and Disease Resistance
| Pest and Disease Resistance | Hydroculture | Soil-based |
|---|---|---|
| Organic matter | No | Yes |
| Pest attraction | Low | High |
| Pest control | Easy | Difficult |
| Disease risk | Low | High |
| Disease treatment | Easy | Difficult |
3. Root Rot Prevention
| Root Rot Prevention | Hydroculture | Soil-based |
|---|---|---|
| Water and oxygen balance | Optimal | Variable |
| Root rot risk | Low | High |
| Root rot detection | Easy | Difficult |
| Root rot recovery | High | Low |
Hydroculture …. Challenges?
However, hydroculture also has some challenges or drawbacks, such as the need for regular fertilization, and the difficulty of transplanting. Hydroculture requires frequent fertilization, as the medium does not provide any nutrients to the plants. Hydroculture can also make transplanting difficult, as the medium can be hard to remove from the roots without damaging them. But further down we will discuss why this isn’t an disadvantage as such.
Why Choose Hydroculture for Bonsai Plants?
Bonsai is the art of growing miniature trees in containers, by pruning and shaping them to create a desired form. Bonsai originated in China and Japan, where it has been practiced for centuries. Bonsai can be made from many different species of trees and shrubs, but some of the most popular ones are Ficus microcarpa (also known as Chinese banyan or ginseng ficus), juniper, pine, maple, azalea, and jade.
Bonsai plants are usually grown in soil-based media, such as peat moss, bark, or sand. However, soil-based media have some disadvantages for bonsai plants, such as:
- They can become compacted and acidic over time, reducing the air and water flow to the roots.
- They can harbor pests and diseases that can harm the plants.
- They can cause root rot if overwatered or underdrained.
- They can leach nutrients from the plants if not fertilized regularly.
- They can make repotting difficult and stressful for the plants.
Bonsai Plants and Hydroculture
Hydroculture can overcome these disadvantages and offer many benefits for bonsai plants, such as:
- It provides optimal water and oxygen to the roots, preventing root rot and promoting healthy growth.
- It reduces the risk of pests and diseases, as it does not contain any organic matter that can attract or harbor them.
- It enhances the aesthetic appeal of the bonsai plants, by exposing their bulbous and twisted roots that resemble ginseng or banyan trees.
- It simplifies the maintenance of the bonsai plants, by eliminating the need for repotting, pruning, and fertilizing.
- It saves water and space, by using less water than soil and allowing for more plants to be grown in a smaller area.
Ficus microcarpa is one of our favorite species for hydroculture, as it has many attractive features, such as:
- It has glossy green leaves that contrast well with its gray bark.
- It has thick and twisted roots that resemble ginseng or banyan trees.
- It has small fruits that add interest and color to its appearance.
- It is easy to care for and adaptable to different light and temperature conditions.
We chose Ficus microcarpa for our project, as it is suitable for the lobby of the business center: being close to a large window front, where it can tolerate low humidity and high salinity. Ficus microcarpa is also popular and in demand among our clients, who appreciate its beauty and elegance. Ficus microcarpa is also symbolic and valuable in Asian culture, where it represents longevity, prosperity, and wisdom.
How We Delivered and Maintained Hydroculture Bonsai Plants for a Business Center Lobby
We delivered 8 impressive Ficus microcarpa bonsai plants in hydroculture to the lobby of JLT ONE TOWER five years ago. We used clay pebbles as our medium for hydroculture, as they are lightweight, porous, and pH-neutral. We also added some water-soluble fertilizer to the water to provide the necessary nutrients for the plants. We used CUBICO pots as our containers, as they are elegant and fit perfectly with a modern interior design and are furthermore durable and very suitable for hydroculture.
The plants were placed in front of a large window, where they received plenty of indirect sunlight and air circulation, which are ideal for Ficus microcarpa. The plants transformed the lobby, creating a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere for the visitors and employees.
We were amazed by the results of our project. The plants thrived in hydroculture, showing healthy and vigorous growth. The leaves became more glossy and green, the fruits became more abundant and colorful, and the roots became more exposed and attractive.
Here are some images of how the plants looked when we delivered them and how they look now:
2018 – Ficus Bonsai – JLT One Tower
2023 – Ficus Bonsai – JLT One Tower
The plants also added a touch of nature and beauty to the lobby, enhancing the aesthetic and environmental quality of the space. The plants also performed better than soil-based plants, using less water, resisting pests and diseases, and preventing root rot.
5 years later ….
We visited the business center five years later, and we were impressed by how well the plants have maintained their health and beauty. The plants looked even better than the day we delivered them, showing no signs of stress or disease. The staff at the business center told us that they were very happy with the plants and that they received many compliments from their guests and clients.
One of the reasons why the plants have lasted so long and looked so good is because of the easy and low-cost maintenance done by the clients themselves. Hydroculture is very simple to maintain, as it only requires watering every few weeks, depending on the water level indicator in the pots. The water level indicator shows when the water is at its optimum level, when it needs to be refilled, or when it is too full. The average watering schedule for hydroculture is around every four weeks at the optimum level, but it can also be six to eight weeks at the maximum level. This means that hydroculture saves a lot of water compared to soil-based plants, which need to be watered more frequently.
Another reason why the plants have stayed healthy and beautiful is because of their resistance to pests and diseases. Hydroculture does not contain any organic matter that can attract or harbor pests or pathogens, unlike soil-based media. This means that hydroculture reduces the risk of infestation or infection that can harm or kill the plants. Hydroculture also prevents root rot, which is a common problem for soil-based bonsai plants. Root rot occurs when the roots are overwatered or underdrained, causing them to decay and die. Hydroculture provides optimal water and oxygen to the roots, preventing them from rotting or suffocating.
We are proud of our project and our choice of hydroculture for bonsai plants. We believe that hydroculture is a great way to grow bonsai plants, as it offers many benefits for both the plants and the people who care for them. Hydroculture is simple, efficient, and eco-friendly, and it can produce stunning results that last for years.
If you are interested in hydroculture and want to know more about our services and products, please feel free to contact us. We would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.
What do you think of our project and our plants? Do you like hydroculture? Do you have any experience or suggestions with hydroculture? Please share your thoughts and comments with us. We appreciate your feedback and support.
