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Are wine corks ever observed in their plants? Although it may seem a bit odd at first, there is a clever explanation for it that goes beyond simply making the plants seem adorable.For houseplants or small pots, cork might be your savior when it comes to gardening to assist your plants grow healthier. Let’s examine how this functions and how you may give it a try at home!
Why you should put cork in plant soil
In addition to being a decorative choice, adding corks to your pots’ soil will improve plant growth. Some knowledgeable gardeners employ this approach, particularly for small pots or indoor plants.
Natural corks, such as those found in wine bottles, are typically utilized and are beneficial to plant care in a number of ways.
What are the benefits of putting corks in plants?
According to gardening experts, there are numerous benefits to planting corks in the ground.
-
They help maintain moisture: cork makes the soil not dry out so quickly, so the plant can have water for longer without you having to
water it all the time
.
- They improve oxygenation of the soil: that means they let air pass better to the roots, which is important for the plant to breathe well and grow healthy.
- They help with drainage: when you water, the cork helps the water drain better and not get stuck. If there s too much water, the roots can rot, and that s really bad for the plant.
- They protect against certain insects: corks also work as a kind of natural barrier against bugs that can live in the soil, like compost gnats or small slugs.
How are corks used?
The good news is that you don’t need to be an expert to use corks in plants; it’s really simple. They can be used in a variety of ways:
- Whole corks or cut into pieces: you can leave one whole on the surface of the soil or cut them into little pieces and mix them with the soil.
- At the bottom of the pot: you can also put the corks at the base of the pot, before adding the soil. This helps with drainage from below.
This trick is sustainable and environmentally friendly as well. Why? Because you’re helping the environment by reusing a natural substance rather than dumping it in the trash.
How to avoid mold and bad smells
Although corks are beneficial, it’s still crucial to adhere to certain maintenance guidelines to prevent mold growth or unpleasant odors in the pot:
- Use crushed corks in the soil to keep it well-aerated and prevent too much moisture.
- Put stones or corks at the bottom of the pot. This keeps the water from staying trapped and prevents root rot.
- Don t overwater. It s better to wait until the top of the soil is dry before watering again.
- Place the plant in a place with air and natural light, but without direct sun. This helps reduce humidity and prevents mold.
- Don t leave water in the saucer under the pot. Always pour out the excess water after watering.
- Check the plant often. If you see mold or a bad smell, it s best to change the soil or let it air out a bit.
- You can sprinkle cinnamon powder or activated charcoal on the soil. Both help prevent mold because they have special antifungal properties.
Other recyclable materials
In addition to cork, the following materials are recyclable and beneficial to plants:
- Crushed eggshells: they give calcium to the soil and keep slugs away.
- Pieces of charcoal: they help with drainage and absorb extra moisture.
- Dry tea or used tea bags: they have good nutrients for the plant and improve the soil.
- Untreated wood shavings: they keep moisture and protect the surface of the soil.
- Composted fruit and vegetable peels: if you have big pots, this works as natural fertilizer.
Have a go at cork!
Putting corks in plants is more than simply decoration, as you can see. It’s an easy, eco-friendly, and useful technique to better care for your plants. It aids in air circulation, drainage, moisture retention, and even deters insects. The nicest part is that you’re repurposing something that we would typically throw away. Therefore, if you have corks lying around, use them in your pots to aid your plants instead of throwing them away!
