Sealed root zone?

Hi folks

Are there any benefits or detriments to sealing the root zone? I'd been growing in a homebrew mix up of rockwool blocks on a bed of leca/hydroton in a 5L ice cream container. I fashioned some panda film covers for the containers and that got me wondering, would the roots benefit from a more sealed environment? I'm considering using the lids to close the containers, to increase the humidity of the root zone and waste less water. Would a lack of airflow then be an issue? I've been watering by hand, once every two days. Roots have started searching quite far through the leca already and seem very happy.

I saw a video where a guy showed covering what looked like an ebb and flow table with panda film, where he spoke about the benefits of increased humidity and lack of light in the rhizosphere. but I can't seem to find it.

I used to cut a hole in the middle of the container lid, like 2" diameter, and a slit from the hole to the edge. I could then pull the slit open to get it past the stem and then pop the lid on. Usually not enough light down there to worry about panda film though. And the white plastic covers also reflect a little light back up to the lower leaves. Could tape foil over it for better reflection or of it's not white. You wouldn't want it completely sealed though because you do need some air in there for the roots.

BobCajun said:

I used to cut a hole in the middle of the container lid, like 2" diameter, and a slit from the hole to the edge. I could then pull the slit open to get it past the stem and then pop the lid on. Usually not enough light down there to worry about panda film though. And the white plastic covers also reflect a little light back up to the lower leaves. Could tape foil over it for better reflection or of it's not white. You wouldn't want it completely sealed though because you do need some air in there for the roots.

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I've got one lid on one plant like this, I've now made little panda film caps that do basically the same thing with another one. Nice and dark without being fully sealed.

DonnyDee said:

I've got one lid on one plant like this, I've now made little panda film caps that do basically the same thing with another one. Nice and dark without being fully sealed.

Click to expand...

I've also wrapped white polyethylene trash bags around the stems and over the top of the medium. But you could make round pieces of panda like the cut lids I mentioned, just be flexible versions.

Lack of light would be the biggest bonus but sealing so its air tight, that would be detrimental. Roots need oxygen, the reason ebb and flow and all hydro is faster growing is due to the ability to provide nutrients more often but importantly due to the increase in oxygen at the root zone.