STRENGTHENING YOUR PLANT’S ROOTS
“BECAUSE THE ROOTS ARE GENERALLY
HIDDEN FROM A HORTICULTURIST’S
VIEW, THEY CAN OFTEN BE FORGOTTEN.”
I
ndoor horticulturists constantly strive to find
techniques and products that will help increase
their garden’s yields. Common sense will tell you
that a plant with a strong and healthy root structure
is more likely to have strong and healthy stems,
leaves, and flowers. Simply put, healthy roots will
equate to more bountiful harvests. Unfortunately,
indoor growers do not always give a plant’s root
system the attention it deserves. It is like the old
saying, “out of sight, out of mind”. Because the roots
are generally hidden from a horticulturist’s view,
they can often be forgotten. Horticulturists who
focus some of their energy on making the plant’s
root system thrive will usually have better yields
and less problems overall. There are a few different
ways for an indoor grower to help stimulate root
growth and maintain a healthy root mass.
OXYGEN
Many horticulturists don’t think about the important
fact that plants need oxygen to thrive and survive.
Most of us think of plants as living organisms that
produce oxygen during photosynthesis (a process
that requires CO2) and not as organisms that also
need oxygen to grow. Like other organisms, plants
need oxygen to perform cellular respiration. Roots
grow like other parts of the plant, but since they are
under soil or contained in a hydroponic system, they
are not exposed to light and cannot photosynthesize.
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Instead, they gain energy for growth by cellular
respiration, which requires oxygen and releases
CO2. This is why a plant’s root mass must be
exposed to some form of oxygen. For soil growers,
the soil’s texture will determine the amount of open
spaces for air (oxygen). In hydroponic systems, such
as deep water culture where the plant’s roots are
submersed in water, the roots will rely on dissolved
oxygen found in the nutrient solution. This dissolved
oxygen will need to be replenished as the plant uses
it. In both soil and hydroponic systems, if there is not
a sufficient supply of oxygen, the roots will not be
able to survive and will die off, eventually
killing the entire plant.
How to Increase Oxygen for the
Root System in Soil
To increase a soil’s oxygen capacity, a grower
can add a variety of soil amendments. Perlite,
pumice, hydroton, or any other porous substance
can significantly increase a soil’s ability to harbor
oxygen. Coco coir is another soil amendment praised
for its ability to not only hold oxygen, but also have
good water retention. Most prepackaged soil mixes
will contain at least one amendment aimed at
increasing aeration. However, it is not a bad idea for
indoor growers to add more aeration amendments
to a soil mix. In fact, well-aerated soil can provide
two advantages. First, well-aerated soil increases