Your DirectRoot to a Green Thumb
    The DirectRoot is a leader in creating innovative plant care products, offering a variety of proven, affordable solutions to most plant care problems and tasks. Our products don't simply offer a better way, but the BEST way. . . . the BEST way to deliver water and fertilizer to the roots of a plant with our WaterSpikes! The BEST way to provide drainage and aeration in potted plants with our Airbase! The BEST way to take care of plants while on vacation with our GelSpikes and the BEST way to make drip irrigation 100% efficient with our DripSpikes! The DirectRoot products are multi-patented and have been tested and proven by universities, major gardening clubs, plant care professionals, and hundreds of thousands of consumers worldwide! Whether a novice or a professional, The DirectRoot has a product that is sure to give you the results you've been hoping for.



    Address:     15955 Dial Blvd. Suite 3 Scottsdale AZ 85260
    Email:     info@directroot.com     Contact:    
    Phone:    480-348-2300    FAX:     480-348-2301

                     


    Founded in 1997 by WaterSpike inventor Andrew Rose, The DirectRoot began with a single product and a single idea. Tired of dragging his only plant to the tub every month for a good soaking (the only way to be sure that the water reached the roots and didn't simply run down the side of the pot), Rose thought that there had to be an easier and more efficient way to care for his plant. . .an easier way to get water and fertilizer to the roots. . . an easier way to aerate the soil. . .an easier way to have a bigger, healthier plant with less time, effort, and water!  There had to be, but there wasn't. . .until now! After years of experiments, research, and development, the perfectly efficient, amazingly effective DirectRoot WaterSpike is now helping over a million plants all over the world! 

    And if common sense says that directing the water right to the roots is more efficient, wouldn't that same hold true for most plant care issues?  Direct the fertilizer to the roots as well?!  If overwatering is the #1 plant care problem, devise a way to provide perfect drainage and aeration?!  If some water is still lost to evaporation and run-off with drip irrigation, create a system in which NO water is wasted?! 

    WATERING

    Improper watering is the #1 cause of houseplant problems, with overwatering killing more plants than any other cause!  Roots actually take in air from spaces in the soil and when these are filled with water, the plant can drown!   Most plants prefer a watering method called "Drench, Let Dry."  The plant likes to get a good soaking, but then be given a chance to dry out a little between waterings.  The WaterSpike makes sure that water is delivered right to the rootball for a good "drenching" and, more importantly, that the soil is opened up to let the roots breathe. . letting excess moisture evaporate before it's too late!

    The watering requirements of a specific plant has many variables, including the type of pot, location in the house (near a vent, closer to a warm window, etc.), and the season, so adjust your watering according to the needs of your particular plant and to its particular situation.  The same plant in two different locations could need different amounts of water.  Just look at the signs and you will know! 

    FERTILIZING

    The three major nutrients that plants receive from fertilizers are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).  Nitrogen is good for foliage growth, Phosphorus for strong roots, and Potassium for overall sturdiness and health.  The purpose of fertilizing is to encourage regular, not rampant growth during the plant’s growing season.  Do not feed plants when they are dormant.

    More important that just fertilizing is making sure that the fertilizer had a chance to reach the roots!  A granule just sprinkled on the surface may simply wash away (and end up fertilizing the weeds instead!) and even a liquid poured on may have completely bypassed the rootball all together.  A slow-release fertilizer like that in the DirectRoot PLUS Spike provides light, continual feeding every time you water. . .for virtually the entire growing season. . .and offers the assurance that every pellet was delivered right to the rootball.  There's nowhere else it could have gone! 

    LIGHT

    Light is vital to plants, yet each type of plant, and sometimes individual plants within a certain type, demand different levels.  Each home provides entirely different conditions, so it is important to try to match up your type of plant with the conditions provided.  No matter how much you want a “high light” plant, if your only location is a dark bathroom, you may not have much success!  Fortunately, if other conditions are perfect (soil, water, and humidity), many plants can live in less-than-ideal lighting.

    Plants will have varying light requirements typically defined as full sun, bright, bright indirect, medium, or low.  General descriptions of each:

    Full Sun - Within 2' of a south facing window. . at least 4-5 hours of direct sun.     

    Bright - Within 5' of any window that receives some sun.

    Medium - Within 5-8' of a sunny window or directly in a north facing window.

    Low - Typically far from a high light window such as corners, hallways, etc. with no direct sun.

    POTTING (Drainage and Aeration)

    As stated earlier, overwatering is the #1 problem with houseplants and much of this has to do with proper drainage.  WATERLOGGED SOIL WILL KILL MOST PLANTS!  A plant can do well in a pot with no drainage as long as the soil is resting on some sort of drainage medium, but for most plants, proper drainage in the pot is critical.  For years, people have had no choice but to put gravel in a pot bottom. . .or maybe broken pot shards.  This actually only works to keep the dirt in because in time the water and soil will sift down through the gravel eliminating all air pockets!  The multi-patented AirBase® not only keeps the dirt in and allows the excess water to drain harmlessly away, but also lets air circulate below, preventing overwatering and root rot!  Soggy soil encourages the growth of certain bacteria which can eventually cause root rot.  By lifting the soil off of the pot bottom, the soil will no longer be sitting in stagnant water. 

    TROUBLESHOOTING

    Plants will try their best to adapt to whatever situation is presented and will almost always give clues when something is wrong (drooping leaves, brown tips, etc.).  The challenge often lies in the fact that some symptoms are the signs of any one of several problems (for example, brown leaf tips or edges could be a problem with watering, fertilizing, and/or drafts!).  Make adjustments until you find the needs of your particular plant and it should offer years of enjoyment!

    Testimonials

    "As founder of the American Hydrangea Society and an enthusiastic advocate for gardening, I find DirectRoot WaterSpikes to be the ideal vehicle for feeding and watering my many plants."  Penny McHenry - Georgia

    "I used The DirectRoot WaterSpike outside during a drought.  The ground had gotten so hard, what rain we did get ran off.  I could now water my flower beds at the roots and they stayed beautiful!"  ND - Virginia

    "They make each houseplant flourish.  I used The DirectRoot on my problem plants and they soon grew abundantly.  Houseplants love them!"  SS - Minnesota

    "I would highly recommend The DirectRoot for any houseplant.  I have been using them for one month and my plants never looked better.  Suggested improvements?  NONE!  They're perfect!"  LS - Oregon

    "Since I have used the WaterSpikes, my plants have never looked better.  A real bargain. 
    I love this product!"  MM - California

    It works!
    Greatly increases bloom and production! I used one of the Spikes in the ground, one in an outdoor pot of pansies, and one in an indoor potted plant, and had an identical set of plants without. The ones with the Spikes were DOUBLE the pansies and have twice as many flowers. GREAT!" CR - Tennessee 

    "I tried The DirectRoot in my Lemon Tree which is planted in a half-barrel. After about 2 weeks, I noticed new growth and the tree itself looks greener. I have babied this tree for the longest time but was concerned it was going to die before the Spikes. Now I really believe I'll be getting lemons! Thank you!" MJ - California

    "DirectRoot Water Spikes are an excellent investment for any gardener. I can see a big difference in my plants in 6 weeks time. " HP - Oregon

    "I have enjoyed using this product for both indoor and outdoor plants... all of which responded well. They had more growth in the last month than the last 6 months together. Wish I'd known of this product sooner!" TN - Pennsylvania

    "This product is durable and clearly good for my houseplants. They're affordable and they're made in the USA! What more could anyone ask?!" ZV - Missouri

    Saves water!
    "Since I have used the Water Spikes, my plants have never looked better. I have not had any excess water running out of the bottom of the dish. The roots need it and the roots get it. A real bargain. I love this product!" MM- California 

    "I use less water per plant. After just one week of use, my houseplants are green, fuller, and healthier than before!" BD - South Dakota

    "The use of The DirectRoot has substantially cut down on my watering. I used to water my outdoor plants 4 times a week... now I only have to water twice a week. My hibiscus thrive... no more buds falling off before blooming." DS - California

    Great for difficult plants!
    "A great product! I used a Spike in my Christmas Cactus (this plant was on its way out!). 
    I tried repotting but it did not help much. So I put a Water Spike in the pot, filled it with organic fertilizer, and within a week started to see new growth. As of right now, there are about 20 new branches starting to form!" CB - Massachusetts 

    "I use them for my African Violets. It can be filled with water, with fertilizer, no spilling or over-watering. Also keeps soil salts and lime off the roots. Should be a great seller!" 
    CN - Ohio


               

               The Lawn & Garden Marketing Association "Green Marketing" programs -- Plan for Success at Events  /  Stay Connected Year Round
               Contact LGMA to Showcase New Products / Catalogs / Seasonal Promotions --- GoGreen@LawnGardenMarketing.org