Despite the existing opinion that drainage for indoor plants is not a prerequisite for their normal growth, many flower lovers can not do without it. Of course, plants grow in nature without special drainage, but this is only an appearance, because, unlike indoor flowers, their roots are not limited by the walls of the pot, but in the soil there are stones, humus, and sand. That is why drainage in a flowerpot is a necessary condition! Thanks to it, excess water is taken away, and the roots of plants can breathe. Properly organized drainage for indoor flowers during planting or transplantation is a salvation for beginners who have not yet fully mastered the rules for caring for plants.
Types of drainage
It is unambiguous to say which drainage for flowers is better, it is difficult, because different plants have different requirements for content. Some can tolerate an excess of moisture absolutely normally, but for others it is fatal. Before you make a pot drainage, you need to find out the features of the root system of the plant. For example, too fragile roots will damage the sharp edges of ceramic shards.
Ceramic shards
So, the ceramic shards. This type of drainage is still widely practiced, despite the fact that it is not so easy to find broken utensils made of natural clay. At the bottom of the pot, in the center of which the hole is made, the largest shard is laid. From above lay a 1-1.5-centimeter layer of sand of coarse fraction. Subsequently, the main substrate is sprinkled and the plant is planted. During the subsequent transplant, the plants need to be extremely careful, since the roots are likely already shrouded, and trying to free them from parts of the drainage can end badly.
Expanded clay
This lack is devoid of expanded clay - small pebbles, which are baked clay with a porous structure. Claydite is produced in different fractions, so you can easily pick up the necessary grain size. Usually, large-fraction expanded clay is used, but by and large the size of the grain does not play. The determining factor is the diameter of the hole for water drainage in the pot, that is, it is necessary to select the expanded clay so that it does not spill into the pallet. Before using such a drainage for flowers, the grain of expanded clay must be covered with a 1-1.5-centimeter layer of sand.
How much to pour into a pot of drainage depends on the size of the pot itself and the presence of gutters. If the pot is large (10 liters or more) and there are holes in it, the thickness of the layer of expanded clay can vary from 10 to 15 centimeters. For a small pot, a centimeter layer is sufficient. For pots in which there are no gutters, the layer of expanded clay should be increased to 25% of the pot volume.
Take into account that in five to six years, the expanded clay decomposes, turning into soil, so it should be updated.
Styrofoam
There were no potsherds or claydite, do you think what to replace the drainage for flowers? Use the foam. As drainage for colors, polystyrene fits perfectly. However, this material does not absorb water, so it should be used with a hydrogel. Mix the pieces
Natural drainage
Some growers prefer to make drainage for flowers with their own hands, using charcoal or sphagnum moss. These natural materials perfectly absorb excess moisture, and if necessary can give it to plants. This type of drainage is the most optimal for all types of orchids.
Take care of the health of your indoor plants, lighting , watering, humidity and drainage, and they will always answer you with lush greenery and beautiful flowering!