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How it Works

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What is Vulkaponic?

Vulkaponic is an eco-friendly growing medium used for semi-hydroculture, a modified planting technique. The mineral substrate is a mixture of pumice and high-quality zeolite granules appropriate for tropicals, palms, cacti, succulents, and orchids.

Mined from underground, this relatively lightweight substrate has an outstanding water storage capacity, over 30% by volume. It provides optimal air pore volume of more than 35% by volume. It also has a high nutrient storage capacity.

The substrate absorbs all the water during the watering cycle with no water remaining in the pot. The roots slowly absorb the moisture from the substrate. This ensures an excellent moisture balance and exceptional root aeration benefiting plant health and growth.

 

Benefits of Using Vulkaponic

Enhanced Plant Growth

Vulkaponic provides superior growing conditions by ensuring a consistent supply of moisture and oxygen to plant roots. Its stable environment promotes healthier and more robust growth, free from the variability of traditional soil.

Consistent Quality

Unlike traditional soil mixes, which can vary in composition and pH, Vulkaponic is consistent in quality. This reliability ensures that plants thrive, eliminating guesswork and ensuring healthy growth.

Moisture Retention

The porous nature of Vulkaponic reduces the frequency of watering. Vulkaponic absorbs over 30% of its volume in water providing sustained moisture to plant roots. This feature provides a safety net of moisture that sustains plants if watering is missed.

 Extended Service Cycles

Vulkaponic’s impressive water-holding capacity allows for extended 4-week watering intervals. Projects planted in Vulkaponic return a 25% to 37% savings in labor hours than those on traditional 14-day service cycles.

Reduced Risk of Root Rot

Eliminating soil-born organic microbes reduces the risk of root rot. When overwatered, Vulkaponic doesn’t become waterlogged like soil. It provides aeration, which aids healthy root growth.

 Pest Reduction

As a sterile medium without organic material, Vulkaponic minimizes the chance of soil-borne gnats and other pests, making it ideal for indoor environments such as offices.

Environmentally Friendly

Vulkaponic is a sustainable alternative to peat, which takes centuries to form and is not renewable. The substrate is reusable, reducing waste and the need for continuous extraction of new materials.

 Aesthetic Appeal

Vulkaponic’s natural appearance is visually pleasing, often eliminating the need for additional decorative top dressings. Elements such as moss or stone may also be added for an alternate visual appeal.

Vulkaponic Planting

Vulkaponic planting is performed directly in a waterproof decorative container or flexible liner. The substrate can transport water up to a height of 12”. Therefore, if the layer of Vulkaponic under the root ball is deeper than 12”, a false bottom and flexible liner will be necessary.

With a false bottom, fill the space under the plant liner with fill material such Styrofoam board or chips. Place the plant liner on the fill material so that the top edge of the liner is just below the top rim of the container.

Add up to a 12” layer of Vulkaponic to the bottom of the container or liner. The Vulkaponic layer must be high enough to ensure that when the root ball is placed, the top of the root ball is 1½” below the rim of the container.

Remove the grow pot and place the root ball directly on the Vulkaponic in the center of the container. Assure the root ball is 1½” below the rim of the container. Adjust the height as needed.

Fill the container with Vulkaponic. Add 1” of Vulkaponic on top of the root ball as a top-dressing. The finished Vulkaponic level should now be ½” below the rim of the container.

At the job site, top water the root ball of each plant initially while filling the reservoir to create the capillary action.

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Image Vulkaponic Watering

Vulkaponic Watering

Watering cycles in Vulkaponic are usually on a 4-week interval depending on location since the substrate absorbs a tremendous amount of water (30% by volume) and releases it to the plant over several weeks.

Plants don’t use less water when planted in Vulkaponic, however the substrate absorbs enough water for the plant’s requirement over several weeks allowing for an extended watering cycle. With each cycle, you will be providing enough water to maintain the plant for up to 4 weeks.

As with all interior plantings, the plant’s water depends on variety, pot size, heat, and light levels of the specific location. A soil probe is used to determine moisture. Simply brush away the top layer of Vulkaponic from the root ball to probe for moisture. The chart below may be a helpful guide for determining how much water to provide to cover a 4-week watering cycle.

During initial watering, top water the root ball while filling the reservoir to create capillary action. For subsequent watering, evenly water between the root ball and decorative container. The objective is to fill the reservoir, not saturate the root ball.

Plant Size
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8" Plant in 10-12" Container < ¼ gal.  ¼ gal.
10" Plant in 12-14" Container ¼ - ½ gal. ½ - ¾ gal.
14" Plant in 16-18" Container ¾ - 1 gal. 1 - 1 ¼ gal.
17" Plant in 20-22" Container 1 ¼ - 1 ½ gal.  1 ½ - 2 gal.
Primescape water bucket = 10 Liters = 2 ½ gal.

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