Lechuza Pon Recipe – A Better Alternative to Conventional Soil For Houseplants
If you’re on the lookout for an improved option over traditional soil for your indoor plants, consider lechuza pon as a perfect medium that brings numerous benefits.
A soilless growing medium composed of zeolite, pumice, volcanic rock and fertilizer helps prevent fungi from attacking your plants’ roots. Furthermore, this mixture allows water to drain away quickly while essential nutrients can be stored and delivered directly to the roots.
1. Pumice
Pumice is a rock formed from volcanic eruption. Its unique structure results from the high level of air in its composition, and often floats on water due to the rapid cooling and depressurization process that takes place after eruptions.
This unique frothy rock foam, also known as “scoria,” has a vesicular rough-textured appearance and may contain crystals. When powdered or dust form, this material is known as “pumice.” This term originates from the Greek word for “pebbles” derived from an ancient Greek word for “stone.”
When you observe fresh, light-colored pumice, it appears as a finely grained, almost sponge-like rock. Its light hue comes from having many empty gas bubbles in its structure which gives it an airy and lightweight appearance.
Its peculiar structure also accounts for its remarkable abrasive properties. Although mild, it can be used to effectively remove tough stains, dirt and scale from numerous surfaces.
Pumice, in addition to its abrasives, makes an excellent scouring agent for various hard surface applications. For instance, it’s often included as part of soaps and cleanser formulations to eliminate stubborn grease, grime, tar, paint and oil. Furthermore, pumice can be employed as a polishing compound on wood, metal and plastic materials.
Furthermore, it is an effective exfoliant for your skin. You can use it as a body scrub to get rid of dead cells and rough patches or use it as a massage tool to loosen knots and kinks in muscles.
Pumice stones can be especially helpful for people suffering from injuries or muscle spasms. A pumice stone may also be used as a natural ointment to reduce pain and inflammation.
Corns and calluses, which are areas of thickened skin that develop on your hands and feet due to constant friction, can also be treated with a pumice stone or stick. This helps soften the skin while eliminating dead cells.
2. Zeolite
Zeolite is an abundant mineral with unique physical and chemical characteristics. It has a well-defined pore structure and can participate in many reactions. Zeolite can even be used as an aquaria filter to sorb ammonia and other nitrogenous compounds, acting as both water moderator that prevents root rot and moderates drought cycles.
Zeolites possess unique and remarkable properties that make them useful in many fields, such as agriculture, ecology, certain manufacturing processes, medicine and cosmetics. Recent studies have focused on the potential benefits of one particular naturally occurring zeolite–clinoptilolite–for human health and veterinary medicine.
Clinoptilolite is highly soluble in water and has exceptional adsorption capacities for cations like potassium, nitrogen, and calcium. Furthermore, its low toxicity makes it suitable for environmental protection; in particular, ammonia can be absorbed by clinoptilolite to prevent its release into the environment (Pavelic & Hadzija, 2003).
When applied to soils, zeolite is often mixed with other cations such as iron oxide. Combining these minerals provides soils with all the advantages of nutrient-rich zeolite without having an adverse effect on plant chemistry.
Agriculture utilizes zeolites to improve soils by improving micronutrient uptake and slowing potassium release when present (Pavelic and Hadzija, 2004). Furthermore, it helps reduce salts like sodium from the environment that could potentially burn plant roots.
Mineral-based substrates are an effective way to prevent root rot and can also be utilized for hydroponic plant growth. As they have no bias and don’t breakdown, you can reuse them again and again, provided they have been cleaned properly.
Furthermore, these substrates offer an ideal alternative to soil for plants that may be susceptible to air-borne diseases and root rot. They’re especially helpful with cultivating climbers and crawlers without deep root systems.
3. Volcanic
Lechuza pon has recently added lava rock to their growing media mix, joining pumice and zeolite. Not only is this an eco-friendly choice, but it is highly porous as well – making it perfect for aeration. Unlike perlite which must be purchased through specialty potting mixes, lava rock can easily be picked up at your local grocer and used in your next bonsai adventure!
Growing indoor plants requires creating a nutrient-rich, airy and light enriched environment in which to feed, water and nurture them. Utilizing high quality substrate is the most efficient way to accomplish this if you have access to the necessary tools and ingredients. If you prefer something more hands-on, why not mix up some custom potting mix using those components mentioned above? With hydroponic systems you can experience healthier, faster plant growth as well as vibrant colorations.
4. Fertilizer
Lechuza Pon is a granulated substrate suitable for indoor and outdoor plant growing. It contains zeolite, pumice and lava rock coated in slow-release fertilizer – making it an excellent alternative to soil-based growing substrates like potting mix.
Zeolite helps maintain a balanced pH level and inhibits disease-causing organisms by restricting air space in the mixture. This ensures that roots have more room to breathe and absorb essential nutrients, and prevents plants from absorbing too much water and becoming rotting due to overwatering.
Fungus-resistant substrate: this reduces plants’ vulnerability to fungal attack. For those with allergies to other potting media or sensitive plants, this solution may be ideal.
Another advantage of using this substrate is its reusability; unlike other soil-based growing mediums, it won’t break down like other materials do. This makes it ideal for those who want to save money and not have to purchase a lot of potting mix every time they repot their plants.
If you are new to using this substrate, start with a small amount and observe how your plants respond. From there, you can increase as needed.
When transplanting a plant into the lechuza pon recipe, you must ensure its roots have been correctly transferred over and all organic material removed from its rootball. Doing this helps reduce transplant shock for your plants and makes the transition much smoother.
Some plant varieties require more time to adjust to their new potting medium than others, so it’s essential that you give them plenty of time. As a general guideline, allow a plant to rest in the lechuza pon for at least two weeks before repotting into soil or potting mix.
Once the plant has adjusted to the new potting medium, you can begin top-watering it evenly and using a watering jug. However, it’s best to let the reservoir of water in your plant empty for at least two weeks before topping up again; this gives time for its roots to adjust to the new medium and reduce any issues with anaerobic environments or dieoff.
