WHAT IS BETTER DRAINAGE FOR INDOOR PLANTS??

Which drainage is better?

The popular TV presenter Marina RYKALINA shares the results of the research with readers (r. Samara).

- When transplanting plants from open ground into a container and when transferring grown seedlings into a more spacious container, I must pour a drainage layer on the bottom. Why is it needed? For, so that water flows freely through the drain holes, after all, excess moisture displaces oxygen and provokes the development of various rot. But theory alone is not enough for me. If something is claimed, then you need to check it!

What used?

Took materials, which are most often used as drainage. This is vermiculite, perlite, zeolite, coarse expanded clay, birch coal, eggshell. The same volume of each ingredient was poured with an equal amount of water and allowed to stand 20 minutes. Then I made holes in the bottom with scissors, to drain the water.

What did you get in the end?

Vermiculite absorbed about 3/4 on the volume of water. Which means, that moisture will remain at the bottom. This property of vermiculite comes in handy in the summer., when potted soil dries out quickly, and also when used on the beds. Besides, it does not decompose, therefore, there will be no pathogens.

Perlite absorbed half of the water volume. But its larger fraction allows air to circulate, unlike fine vermiculite. Perlite dries out faster. But there will be constant moisture at the bottom of the pot..

Zeolite absorbed even less water, than perlite. Most of it settled in the form of dirty sand. She came out badly and slowly, as the drain hole is clogged. The top layer remained clean, well filled with air. Made a conclusion for myself: zeolite is suitable as drainage, but first you need to rinse it.

Large expanded clay I didn't fill in, it's clear, that water will leave without any obstacles and hardly be absorbed. However, with this material, not everything is simple.. When watering plants, the soil settles between large particles. If the drain hole is small, it gets silted up and moisture does not go away well. There is an exit: we give preference to small fraction.

BTW

The soil remaining after the young seedlings, together with expanded clay, I put in a bucket, mix well, I disinfect and dive into it the grown seedlings.

Coal water came out, practically not absorbed. It also prevents the development of pathogenic microflora and acts as a sorbent. In addition, coal can be harvested independently during the season..

Eggshell used as drainage last year. The smell was still the same! There is protein on the shell, which decomposes. Good, that the cups were not at home, and in the winter garden. Although the plants liked this drainage. They happily sprouted in the shell, and all the roots were white, well branched.