Miura Plant: It's like taking care of a rock

MANILA, Philippines - Everything in the city has been scaled down: living and work spaces, water and electricity supply, time, even nature. Urban dwellers now give more importance to green living but have scant space and time to cultivate gardens.

 It’s a good thing that miniature plants engineered to thrive on soil substitute and rely on less water and sunlight are now available in the market. Now, taking care of a plant is like taking care of a rock.

Exporter COCH International Trade started distributing Miura Hydroculture Plants domestically in 2008 after having exclusively exported the brand to Japan and Europe for 20 years.

COCH founder and general manager Carlito Chua said the miniature plants are perfect for homes and offices in Metro Manila, which have become more compact in recent years.

Locally, the plants have become popular and are now among the favorite give aways in weddings, birthdays, Christmas parties, and company events.

Most of the 30 varieties of Miura plants are only five inches tall, some even smaller, making them perfect for office desks and corner spaces in small homes.

“A lot of them (customers) thought that the plants were artificial. But when they learned that these were real, they became very interested as the plants were so cute,” Chua said,

Miura plants, however, should not be mistaken for Bonsai trees. 

“Bonsai are trees that are made small. They need a lot of sunlight as well as water. Miura plants, on the other hand, are plants and not trees. They have been dwarfed, and so we call them dwarf or mini plants,” Chua said.

 In place of soil, Miura plants thrive on hydrocorns, a type of aggregate fired in extremely high temperature to become pellets. Hydrocorns are very porous and can retain water for some time without disintegrating.

Chua said Miura plants are cultivated using the hydroculture technology, also known as passive hydroponics culture. Hydroponics is the system of growing plants, usually vegetables, using water and a nutrient solution. Active hydroponics usually involves large equipment to support the system.

Chua said the technology was developed in Europe 40 years ago but was adopted and improved by the Japanese.

Their Japanese partners cultivate the plants in farms in Lipa, Batangas and Baguio City before being distributed to their seven kiosk outlets in Metro Manila malls. They also have a showroom at the SM Mall of Asia as well as four department store outlets.

Miura plants are indoor ornamental plants that need very little care. Watering should be done only once or twice a week because the hydrocorns retain enough water to sustain the roots.

The plant must not be exposed to direct sunlight, but should be kept where there is indirect light coming from windows or ceiling lights.  Yellowing leaves must also be removed to keep them from contaminating the other healthy leaves. Fertilizer should not be added to the plant.

Chua said hydroculture plants are more effective in absorbing air pollutants like formaldehyde, benzol, phenol, and nicotine released when using paint, wax, and other building materials.

With proper care, most varieties can last more than two years.

Chua said Miura plants are also developing varieties to be used in interior design, especially now that more property developers are integrating nature into home and office interiors.

Miura plants are priced ranging P130 for the mini varieties to P500 for the maxi varieties. Most of the plant types are seasonal, hence, may not be available in certain months. 

 Aside from Miura plants, COCH also distributes ceramic dinnerware brands Lifestyle, Trisa, and William James.

Interested parties may inquire at 3303844 or visit www. miuraplants.multiply.com. The sales outlets are in SM North Edsa Annex, The Block Hypermarket, SM Mall of Asia, SM Megamall, SM Fairview, MarketMarket, Robinsons Department Stores (Galleria, Ermita, Festival), and Ali Mall.