No-Soil Growing: Plants for Those Without a Green Thumb

Do you murder plants without meaning to do them harm? Do you forget to water your plants and promise them double next time? Well, not everyone was born with a green thumb. You can quickly develop one, though, when you try the new no-soil growing products that are now on the market.

The material is a white or clear crystal-like substance that is spooned into the plant pot. A little of this stuff goes a long way, too. A tablespoon of the crystals produces about a quart of "soil" when water is added. The reason the "soil" grows is that each crystal bead acts like a sponge to absorb lots of water. As the beads absorb the liquid they swell into something similar to pieces of gelatin, the approximate size of quarters.

The new growing system usually includes a plastic bag that, when sealed, prevents the evaporation of the liquid, thereby keeping the plant in adequate water for long periods of time. Simply fill the bag with a specified amount of crystals, add water, put plant in, then seal the bag. Now you can place the bags in any pot or makeshift pot.

There are so many fabulous things about the new "soil". For one, the soil basically never goes bad. Should it begin to dry out, after a long period of time, just add more water. And, you'll always know if the gelatin-like substance needs water because the crystals will begin to shrink. Required watering is every two or three months, making it so simple for those who have trouble remembering to water.

The roots of the plant grow into the new soil then act like straws to take water whenever needed. Since plants generally die from being over or under watered, the new soil eliminates this problem. Open the pouch to put water in or use a syringe to refill.

Not having any dirt to worry about, the plants are perfect around kids and animals. And, since there is no real soil, and everything is contained in a handy bag, you can make a planter out of anything: a shoe or boot, a cardboard or paper box, a cup or bowl, or they can even sit around with no planter.