The single leaf, called spathiphyllum by botanists, comes from the warm and always moist rainforests of South America. The popular houseplant has high water and nutrient requirements, which is why hydroponics is recommended. This form of plant cultivation is suitable for people without a “green thumb” who often forget to water or for plant lovers who are often on the go for long periods of time.
How to care for a monoleaf in hydroponics?
Single leaves grow well in hydroponics because they receive a continuous supply of water and nutrients. Care includes watering according to the water level indicator, using special hydroponic fertilizer and occasionally replacing the top layer of expanded clay.
Benefits of Hydroponics
Thanks to hydroponics, the single leaf is continuously supplied with water and nutrients, so you don't have to constantly think about watering and fertilizing. You can also use the water level indicator to see when you need to refill water - and, above all, how much. “Drowning” your plant in hydroponics is not impossible, but it is significantly more difficult than in conventional soil culture. Hydroponics also has another advantage that allergy sufferers especially appreciate: Since the plants are kept in inorganic material, mold and other biologically active sources of disease cannot develop in the substrate.
Care properly for one leaf in hydroponics
However, slightly different rules apply to caring for plants in hydroponics. So you should remember these points especially when watering and fertilizing:
- We only water when the water level indicator is below the minimum value.
- However, do not fill up with water immediately, but wait a few days.
- If the single leaf is in a bright location, only water after two to three days.
- If the plant is in the shade, refill after four to five days.
- Do not fill up to the maximum value or only if you will be away for a long time.
- On the other hand, let the water level indicator oscillate around the minimum value.
- When fertilizing, only use special fertilizer for hydroponics (€9.00 on Amazon).
- Since plants grow slower in hydroponics, transplanting is less necessary.
- Replace only the top one or two centimeters of the expanded clay layer.
- Nutrient s alts are deposited here, but they can be washed out.
Tip
Experts advise against switching from soil to hydroponics, as this is associated with extreme stress for the plants and they rarely survive such a measure. Instead, you can reduce the maintenance effort by switching to so-called planting systems based on clay granules.
