Hey there, green space warriors! Are you looking for a way to keep your houseplants happy and thriving in their new semi-hydroponic environment? As you may already know, LECA and soilless media are unlike soil in that they have zero nutrients, yet we're still big fans. But fear not, because Bless Your Soil® has two ideal nutrient blends with big advantages for these grow types. 

Why Big Green Leaves™ and Grow Goodies™ are the Best Fertilizers for Your Plants in LECA

Unlike many commercial fertilizers, Big Green Leaves™ and Grow Goodies™ provide a complete set of macro and micronutrients that your plants need to grow and thrive. Say goodbye to dull and bleached-out leaves! With these fertilizers you can enjoy greener and thicker leaves, as well as better root development and plant vigor.

Plus, the micronutrients in these formulas are chemically stable and bioavailable, which means they're easily absorbed by your plants. You won't have to worry about excessive salt accumulation or toxicity, and your plants will adapt to their new environment faster. Plus! Plus! 

But that's not all - Big Green Leaves™ and Grow Goodies™ also contain sea kelp, a nutritional powerhouse that helps increase your plant's tolerance to stress and stimulates root growth. Triple plus!

Which fertilizer should I use?

Ok, so about now you're curious which fertilizer you should use between Big Green Leaves™ or Grow Goodies™. The answer is easy. If your plant is a blooming type of plant, such as an orchid, you'll want to pick up some Grow Goodies™. For anything else, go with Big Green Leaves™. It's really that simple.

Use Big Green Leaves™ fertilizer for non-blooming houseplants

How to Use Bless Your Soil® Fertilizers to Feed Your Plants in LECA

Before diving into the world of LECA (aka lightweight expanded clay aggregate), let's make sure you're armed with all the deets. Want to know the Pros and cons of use LECA? Or maybe you're curious about How to set your plant up for success in this semi-hydroponic wonderland? Either way, it's important to figure out if LECA is the perfect match for your leafy friend. So buckle up and read on, we're about to dive into the nitty-gritty of fertilizing your houseplants in this unique growing medium. 

Starting Gradual

Congratulations, you've successfully potted your plant in its fancy new clay abode! Now it's time to give your green buddy some much-needed nutrients to help it thrive. But hold your horses - slow and steady wins the race. It's always better to start small and work your way up to a full serving.

To begin, review the dosage directions on the back of your Bless Your Soil® fertilizer pouch. Mix half of the recommended amount in water (purified or distilled is recommended) according to the constant use instructions, and voila! You're ready to give your plant a little love.

QUICK START
BIG GREEN LEAVES™: 1 tsp per gallon of water*
GROW GOODIES™:  1/2 tsp per gallon of water*
*Distilled water recommended

Nutrient Solution for Hydroponic Plants

Once your plants are established, use the chart below for your constant nutrient solution for plants in LECA or other sterile/soilless media:

Plant Nerd Tip

Okay, plant parent, you've mixed up your fertilizer and water concoction and you're feeling like quite the nerd (in the best way possible, of course). But hold up, there's something to keep in mind when you're dealing with soilless media - it can introduce some extra complexity to the equation. If you're feeling a little extra, go ahead and check the pH to make sure it's just right. You may be shocked to learn that plants in LECA do better in slightly more acidic conditions (5.5-6) than in soil. This simple step can take you from having a green thumb to a whole green hand—read about it here.

Pour it in and Keep it Level

Once you have your nutrient solution ready, pour the it directly into the inner pot, making sure to maintain the level of the solution at 1/3 height of the outer pot. Keep a close eye on the water level, and top up with plain water every few days. Remember to change the nutrient solution every two weeks during the growing season.

Use Grow Goodies™ for blooming houseplants, such as orchids.

Adaptation Period

Once your plants have adapted to the new environment, you can start replacing the nutrient solution at full strength.

You're probably wondering how long it takes for your precious plant baby to get used to its new digs in LECA, right? Well, let's take a moment to chat about it.

So, here's the deal: when you first transplant your plant to LECA, it may experience a bit of shock. I mean, think about it - it's like moving into a new apartment, you know? But with some time and patience, your plant will adapt to its new environment like a champ.

In general, most plants will take a few weeks to adjust to LECA. During this time, it's important to keep an eye on your plant and make sure it's getting all the love and care it needs. But don't worry, with the right nutrients, plenty of water, and a little bit of TLC, your plant will be thriving in no time!

Better adaptability and stronger roots

We all know that transplanting your green friends to a new medium can be a bit of a shock. In fact, it's quite normal. But fear not, because Bless Your Soil® was formulated to help reduce that transitional stress. You might be asking yourself how our miracle products work... Well, besides the amazing, broad-spectrum blend of micro and macronutrients, they are blended with the ultimate plant superhero: Sea kelp!

Not only is sea kelp packed with nutrients that your plant craves, but it also contains a chemical called betaine. Betaine helps your plant increase its tolerance to stress, which means it's less likely to experience shock during the transplant process. Sea kelp is also rich in hormones like cytokinins and auxins that stimulate root growth. This helps your plant absorb water and nutrients better, which is exactly what your plant needs to thrive in its new soilless home.

So, say hello to stronger roots and a happier plant when you treat your LECA plants with Bless Your Soil®!