Adding aeration to soil mediums?

Discussion in 'Advanced Growing Techniques' started by NS89, Dec 24, 2013.

  1. #1 NS89, Dec 24, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 24, 2013
    Wondering if anyone has used an aerator in conjunction with a soil grow. Sounds semi-counter intuitive, but there are a number of flexible aerator products that can be formed into a ring as opposed to your standard airstone used in DWC etc.
     
    Anyone thought of this or heard of it?
     
    Would a small air pump with a circular aerator buried in the soil of a pot actually help aerate the roots? Or would it just be a big waste of money/time?
     
    Very curious if any of the advanced gardeners here would have an opinion on this. 

     
  2. Are you proposing pumping air through the soil? Sort of like you do in hydro but...with soil?
     
    If so, I'm going to bet a six pack that that is not such a good idea. Not to mention the challenges of forcing large amounts of air through packed soil, I would think having air blowing on the roots will cause them to stop growing, sort of like why roots stop growing when they reach the edge of smart pots. 
     
    When people refer to having good aeration in the soil, they are usually referring to additives that help promote water drainage, like perlite. And also using smart pot containers instead of plastic containers.
     
    Hope that helps.
     
  3. Easier and more effective to aerate the water you give in advance. If it's tapwater it will help reduce the chlorine contents as well. 
     
  4. Add cinder and aerate your water..  Even the shower head type of nozzles would help
     
  5. Interesting idea, but I agree that you wouldn't force the air through the soil -- the air will meet too much resistance and simply will back up to the fan/pump -- pressurized, but not moving.
     
    SImilar to your water faucet -- there is pressure pushing the water through the pipe all the way to your faucet. But when the faucet is turned off, the water can't move and so just sits there, pressurized but not moving until you open the faucet.
     
    I also agree aerate your water and you will deliver oxygen to the roots.
     
  6. #7 CL4P-TP, Dec 29, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Dec 29, 2013
    soils not that dense..least not the stuff I, nor anyone else, would use to grow plants in.  even when wet, it wouldn't back the pump up.. even a little single valve 7 dollar Wally World aquarium pump.
     
    EDIT: and just so everyone knows this convo is going to get even more dumb with this guy adverting in High Times.....
     
    http://forum.grasscity.com/hydroponic-growing/1268896-real-has-anyone-tried-air-injection-soilhydro-hybrid.html
     
  7. Thanks for the replies everyone, was just curious as to if that was a viable idea to even test or not. 
     
    It sounds like aerating the water is the way to go, and I will start looking into it. Seems valuable! 
     
  8. I know what you are talking about OP
    I saw this video on the tube where the guy had a ring under rock under screen then dirt but here is what you missed he had a double pot the out side pot was filled with water that completely saturated the soil through holes he drilled in the inner pot so it was like hydro but only with a soil medium and I think he used organic soil so no nutes but he didn't say anything about growing some ladies (though implied) he only had house plants I have been wondering the same and have talked about it with friends nobody else has heard of it
     
  9. Its a dumb idea. air pumped into dirt LOL.
     
  10. One thing I have heard of but never seen too is CO2 straight into the soil after a good watering I don't know about it only heard once suppose to have been that guys trait said it exploded growth on his ladies not over them had a straw down into the root ball and hooked them up
     
  11. Yea man, use bong water to water plants dude, it makes the resin go to the plant man.
     
    Weed ashes too, old roach papers for mulch man!
     
  12. http://modularhydro.com/ProductReviews/Air_Injection_Technology.html#soil

    Here is Ole dudes Web page I'm pretty sure his videos are up there his voice is super monotone seems like a old hippie honestly solid idea just don't know if it's worth the hassle or gamble when you can just got soil or hydro but if I have room money and time I might toss it in the tent and check it out
     
  13. BINGO!
     
  14. Soil grown plants simply don't respond as quick to "things" as their hydro-borne cousins. For example, you will not achieve the same results with the addition of Co2 on soil borne plants that you would with a ebb and flow system. In short, soil borne plants do not have as high a metabolism and therefore show a slower and less pronounced effect when adding "outside" influences. Also, the process of respiration, has more to it then taking in O2 at the root level, so in short, I don't think it would do anything. If worried about more fresh O2 for your plants, then simply evacuate the room more often! Some people run intake/outtake 24/7! Keep it Green! Peace!
     
  15. Eh seems like a bad idea. 
     
    Try perilte.
     
  16. The stomata on the underside of plant leaves contain specially designed cells, called Mesophyll cells. These cells absorb only Co2, which is separated from the air surrounding plants in a process called diffusion. These cells are activated by light, another key element of photosynthesis. So, therefore pumping anything into the soil is counter intuitive and would not work. Keep it Green! Peace! :hippie:
     

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