Beginner’s Guide On Growing Plants In Test Tube Vase

A test tube vase is an exciting way to bring nature into your house, office, or any other indoor space. This is an impressive way to create unique aesthetics for your space’s appearance. Other than giving you a captivating display, we see that the sleek design and transparent glass will make it simpler for you to enjoy the growth and development of plants up close. 

If you are just starting to grow plants, this is the guide for understanding how a test tube works and growing plants. Keep reading for more details. 

Understanding Test Tube Vases

If you have used a test tube in a lab, then you know what you will be dealing with. The test tube vase has a narrow opening at the top for inserting the plants. You can expect such a vase to give you a sleek and minimalist design.

The best part is the test tube vase’s transparency, thus showing the intricate root systems. You can still track the plant’s growth patterns as an indoor gardening experience. 

If you want to use the test tube setup for growing plants, you will need several things. Such include a glass test tube, base or stand, and securing material. 

Growing the Plants in Test Tube Vases

We can see that growing plants in a test tube vase can be possible if you have the right tips. That is what we share with you below. Let us get started. 

Choosing the Right Plants

The first step to growing plants in a test tube vase is to choose the right plants. Look at the size and growth habits of the plants. Ensure it is a plant you can easily grow and contain in the test tube.

Growing plants in the test tube vase include pothos, spider plants, English ivy, air plants, and more.  

The root system can also impact the choice of plants to grow in a test tube. Some plants may have shallow roots, while others have extensive roots. Because of the limited space in the test tube, consider plants so that you do not overgrow the test tube so fast. 

The watering needs are also important to consider. Make sure the plants can thrive in a hydroponic environment since that is where they will always be. 

Just as the watering needs, the light requirements are also important. Of course, look at how much light the plants can receive daily and pick the right plants. It is amazing how some plants can grow well, even in low-light conditions. 

Preparing the Test Tube Vase

There is no doubt the next phase is to prepare your test tube for planting. It starts with cleaning and sterilizing the vase. So, rinse the test tube with warm water and remove any debris or dust in the vase. 

Sterilizing the vase is optional, but you can soak it in a diluted bleach solution. Do this for around 15 minutes and rinse with clean water. The vase should now be ready for planting. 

Add the growth medium to prepare the test tube vase so the plants can grow. The common growth medium is perlite, coconut coir, sphagnum moss, or a combination of these mediums. Fill the vase with the growth medium and proceed to the next step. 

Planting Techniques

Next is to start the planting part. For you to do this, select healthy plant specimens to grow in the test tube vase. Look at the foliage, stems, and ensure no signs of pests or diseases. The plants should also have a compact growth habit to suit the test tube environment. 

You have the option of planting from the seeds. Just as seedlings, consider seeds that can grow well in the hydroponic environment. Just follow the instructions from the store, which include planting depth, spacing, and germination requirements. 

Now that you have the seedlings, you can transfer them into the vases and watch them grow. 

Loosen the soil around the roots and pluck the seedlings. Go ahead and insert the plant into the test tube vase, ensuring the plant’s roots are fully inserted into the growing medium. Make sure that plant is stable and remains upright once you have planted it into the test tube.  

During planting, we recommend that you avoid overcrowding. Always ensure there is enough space for the plant’s roots to spread. Also, ensure they are balanced and symmetrical if you set up several test tubes. 

Providing Optimal Growing Conditions 

If you want the plants in the test tube to grow well, consider providing them with optimal conditions. The first consideration is the lighting conditions. Make sure that you observe the light intensity and its duration. Depending on the choice of plants, sometimes you may have to put them in direct sunlight. 

If there is insufficient light, the choice can be artificial lighting. In such a case, get yourself enough light fixtures to support indoor plant growth in a test tube vase. 

The other conditions to watch out for include temperature, humidity, and watering. In the case of watering, we do not advocate for overwatering because it may lead to root rot, depending on the plant type. 

Care and Maintenance 

It is crucial that you also look at the maintenance of the plants in the test tube vase. Check the growth and health of your plants. Look out for the new leaves, vibrant foliage, and overall vigor of the plant. 

Root health is also essential to consider. Healthy roots are supposed to be white or light-colored. Also, they should be free from decay or rot. Nutrient deficiency is also vital to watch out for. Yellow leaves and stunted growth are a clear indication that there is nutrient deficiency. 

Conclusion 

One thing about using a test tube vase to grow plants is that they make the indoor space beautiful. Just make sure you also use beautiful stands to hold the test tubes as you enjoy the sleek and gorgeous look of the plants. We can see that the planting and growing of such plants is not hard. You can have an easier time growing your plants today.