If you’re new to gardening and have lately heard the term “PON for plants” and are wondering what it means, you’re not alone. I was also astonished when I first heard about “PON for plants” and didn’t know anything about it. So, what is PON for plants?
PON, which stands for “Porous Organic Natural,” is a type of growth medium for plants made with a mixture of three main types of rocks; zeolite, pumice, and lava. These rocks have microscopic openings that store water and nutrients required for the plants to grow.
PON plant medium is an affordable and easy-to-use product for any gardener, as it can be used in indoor and outdoor planting environments.
In this blog post, we’ll look for the advantages of PON as a growing medium and PON alternatives to help you produce healthier and more fruitful plants.
What is PON for Plants?
Porous Organic Natural (PON) is a revolutionary growing medium for the proper growth of plants. It is widely popular among both experts and new gardeners.
PON is a substitute for the conventional soil-based growing technique and is mostly beneficial for indoor plants. Furthermore, it is made of lava, pumice, and zeolite, which are all-natural minerals and also do not create a mess, unlike soil.
So, PON fosters the best conditions for plant development and increases the effectiveness of fertilizer and water management. It is best suited for producing a variety of plants, including decorative plants, fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Anyone already familiar with PON will almost certainly know about the company Lechuza, which manufactures a variety of self-watering pots that help reduce overwatering.
What Benefits Does PON Offer?
PON is a flexible growing media that may be used in several ways to enhance plant growth and output. You can grow healthier, more fruitful plants with its superior water and nutrient management capabilities in a cost- and sustainably-efficient manner.
The benefits of PON are fungi cannot grow, and no pests can thrive there or increase in number. It also balances the PH, stabilizes it, and is applicable to all plants.
But can you mix PON with soil? Yes, you can mix it with soil. It is a sustainable and affordable add-on to soil and can be recycled several times.
However, it is important to remember PON is a porous material and only provides efficient water and oxygen management but lacks nutrients. Therefore, while utilizing PON as a medium for plants, it is advised to apply a fertilizer or nutrient solution.
How to Make PON for Plants?
Now that you know what is PON for plants, let’s see how you can make it.
Making Porous Organic Natural (PON) as a plant-growing medium is comparatively simple and only requires a few easy steps. You can create your own PON growing media and use it for proper plant growth by following the instructions listed below.
1. Collect the Supplies
To make PON, you’ll need to collect its ingredients, which are zeolite, pumice, and lava rock. These supplies are easily available online or at gardening or hydroponic supply stores.
2. Set the Ratio
Now, determine the ratio of components you wish to use by proper measurement of the materials. A typical ratio is 1:1:1, although you can change this according to the demands of the plants you are growing. Finally, calculate the proper quantity of each ingredient.
3. Mix the Components
In a sizable container, thoroughly blend the zeolite, pumice, and lava rock.
4. Sterilize the PON
Sterilize the components by roasting them in the oven at 180 °F (82 °C) for one hour to avoid any disease or bugs.
5. Store the PON
When the PON has cooled, store it in an airtight container and keep it there until ready to use.
Watch this video to make PON For plants yourself:
How to Use PON for Plants?
After knowing what PON is, it is essential to know how to use PON for plants. Using PON as a growing medium for plants is easy and simple. The combination can be used in several ways, such as:
- Cultivating various plants in pots, planters, and other containers containing soil and PON mixture. Make sure you plant your seeds or seedlings after adding the PON mixture to the container.
- Using PON for in-ground gardening. It can be used with soil to enhance soil quality and to better manage water and nutrients.
- Using PON as a top layer in traditional soil-based gardening. Simply scatter some PON over the soil before planting your seeds or seedlings.
What Are Some Alternatives to PON?
Now, since we already know what PON is for plants, let’s look for some PON alternatives too. Below are the most popular substitutes of PON, explained briefly.
Soil
Soil is a common ingredient in indoor and outdoor gardening and is the conventional growing medium for plants. Despite soil providing plants with the nutrients they need, it can be heavy and compact over time, making it challenging for the roots to get oxygen.
Rock Wool
Rock wool is a synthetic growing medium made from melted rock spun into fibres. It is frequently used in hydroponic systems and is renowned for its high water retention capabilities.
Coco Coir
Coco coir is a natural, renewable, and biodegradable growing medium created from the fibers of coconut shells. It is renowned for its superior capacity to hold air and retain water.
Peat Moss
Peat moss is an organic growing medium made from partially decomposed plant matter. It is frequently used to strengthen soil structure and is renowned for its capacity to retain water.
Sand
Sand is a growth medium made up of tiny rock pieces. It is frequently used in gardens with succulents and cacti because of its great drainage properties.
Hydroponic Systems
Hydroponic systems, sometimes referred to as water culture, are a way to grow plants without utilizing soil by employing nutrient-rich water. With this technique, plants grow more quickly and produce more.
Depending on the plants you’re growing, the conditions for their growth, and the outcomes you want, each alternate growing medium has a unique mix of benefits and drawbacks. To determine if PON is the best solution for your plants, you need to explore and test several alternatives.
Conclusion
Now, you already know what is PON for plants. However, to sum up, Porous Organic Natural (PON) is a high-utility growth medium for plants, widely popular among both expert and novice gardeners.
PON is a substitute for conventional soil-based growing techniques and is made of lava rock, pumice, and zeolite, which are all-natural minerals. These components together help in plant growth with effective fertilizer and water management.
PON is a flexible option for any gardener due to its indoor as well as outdoor usage. It is also a cost-effective and environmentally friendly choice as it can be recycled numerous times.
Furthermore, PON is simple to use as a growing medium and can be homemade with little effort. Despite various advantages of PON, there are other alternatives too, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. It is crucial to investigate and test out several possibilities in order to choose the best one for you.