Pruning is a simple but essential step in hydroponic gardening, especially when using a compact system like the Scentalis Vita. Regularly trimming your plants keeps them healthy, improves growth, and maximizes yield. Here’s why pruning matters and how it benefits your indoor garden.
Maintains plant health
Pruning removes dead or dying leaves that could lead to mold, pests, or diseases. In a hydroponic setup, removing unhealthy plants also reduces humidity, which helps your plants grow in a cleaner, safer environment.
Encourages fuller growth
By trimming parts of a plant, you encourage it to grow more shoots and leaves, which ultimately leads to a bushier plant. For herbs in the Scentalis Vita like basil, pruning the tops regularly prevents them from becoming leggy and boosts yield.
Increases light and airflow
In the Scentalis Vita it is essential to avoid overcrowding to maximize the light and airflow. Pruning excess foliage allows light to reach lower parts of the plant and improves air circulation, reducing the chance of mold and ensuring even growth.
Delays flowering for longer harvests
For herbs and greens, pruning regularly prevents early flowering or “bolting,” extending their productive period. By removing flower buds as they appear, you keep herbs like cilantro and basil producing fresh leaves.
Enhances fruit production
For fruiting plants like tomatoes and peppers, pruning redirects energy toward fruit development rather than extra foliage. Removing “suckers” (small shoots) and unnecessary leaves helps the plant focus on producing larger, healthier fruits.
Prevents overcrowding in small spaces
With limited space in the Scentalis Vita, plants can easily compete for light and space. Pruning helps keep each plant contained, improving growth and organization within the system.
Quick tips for effective pruning
- Check weekly for yellowing leaves or damaged stems and cut these off using sterilized scissors.
- For fuller growth in herbs like basil and mint, prune from the top, removing no more than one-third of the plant at a time.
- Trim overlapping or dense areas to ensure light reaches every part of the plant. This improves airflow and prevents mold.
- Delay flowering by trimming flower buds on herbs like cilantro and basil, keeping them focused on leaf production.
- Enhance fruit production by removing small side shoots on tomatoes and pruning lower branches on peppers.
- Manage space by pruning fast growing plants frequently to prevent them from overshadowing smaller plants nearby.
