Basically, hydroculture, or hydroponics, means growing plants in water, not in soil. For example, forcing hyacinth or paperwhite bulbs in a water-filled bulb vase is a form of hydroculture. Guest Christine Hubbard explains that hydroculture is valuable for several reasons:
- Plants grow faster and more vigorously.
- Plants are easier to take care of; there's less danger of over- or underwatering.
- You have more control over growing conditions, so you get better results.
- You don't have to transplant plants as often.
- Plants are not subject to soil-borne pests and diseases.
Some of the easiest plants to grow in water are:
- Swedish ivy
- pothos
- heartleaf philodendron
- ivies
- wandering Jew
- bog plants such as dwarf papyrus and umbrella palm
Virtually any plant can be taken from its dirt-filled pot and placed in a hydroculture environment. The only difference for the plant is that it will then receive nutrients through the water instead of through the soil. Once a plant is grown hydroponically, however, it can never go back to being grown in soil. Another tip: The younger the plant, the more easily it will adapt to hydroculture.
Other tips for growing plants in water:
- Algae can be a problem, especially if the plant container is clear. Use a water purifier or pieces of charcoal to control algae growth.
- Suitable planters include any type of watertight container except untreated metal. Glass is attractive and also lets you keep an eye on the water level. Or try a double pot that's been designed for hydroculture; the outer pot is a reservoir for water and the inner pot holds the plant and support material.
- Support material can be perlite, clean gravel or stone grit--anything that will soak up and release water back to the plant. Expanded clay pellets and water-retaining crystals (polymers) are good, inexpensive choices too.
- Feed plants with special hydroculture fertilizer in water-soluble or slow-release form. Simply place it in the refill water. You may also use a standard liquid fertilizer. If plants begin to appear pale of yellow, try supplementing regular food with a foliar fertilizer.
- Sometimes unused chemicals may crystallize on the pellets and plants, in which case the container needs to be disassembled and the support medium rinsed off.
- When transferring a plant from soil to water, try to minimize shock. Unpot the plant, carefully tease apart the root ball and wash off the roots under a gentle stream of lukewarm water. Plant in aggregate and enclose the plant in a plastic bag to keep the atmosphere warm and humid for eight to 12 weeks, until the old roots are replaced by new succulent roots.
