There aren’t too many hydroculture enthusiasts around but there are a lot of conventional houseplant hobbyists – growing plants in soil. Most of my friends and family members – traditional houseplant owners - that have seen my hydroculture houseplants have never seen this method before; almost all of them have no idea what it is. A few carry a tinge of knowledge and get all excited about seeing something they’ve vaguely heard about, something they debated as being an urban legend. So the pitch of their voice rises a notch or two as they proudly – finally – are able to say: “Hey, that’s hydroponics, right?”

Well, sort of but not exactly. It’s hydroculture. Huh? What’s that?

And that’s okay. It doesn’t matter whether they have or have not heard of it; whether they do or do not have any knowledge of it; whether they merge hydroponics with its smaller-scale cousin hydroculture. It’s to be expected. Hydroculture is not very popular here and not widely available…yet. So how could they know?

For the ‘true’ carefree plant enthusiasts, the number one response to this method they’ve never seen before is curiosity and fascination followed by a dozen questions. Most of them have no intention on converting because they see no reason for it – their style works just fine – but they do appreciate something imaginative and unusual. Furthermore, they are amazed and stunned that what they believed to be the only way to grow houseplants – in soil - is not the only way by any means.

        
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So the questions begin with one of the most popular (and entertaining for me) being: “How can the plant get watered without soil?”; “Don’t the roots eventually rot?”; “How can roots breathe in water without oxygen” And the award for the most interesting question goes to: “How can plants possibly grow without soil?”

How indeed.

So I answer the questions and start chattering away (much to my visitors’ dismay). By the time I’m done, they’re up to speed about hydroculture and can safely apply that newfound knowledge to any further hydroculture set-ups they run across in the future. They’ll also be able to blurt out HYDROCULTURE – instead of hydroponics - the next time they’re playing a trivial pursuit game or happen to find themselves on Alex Trebek’s Jeopardy game show and the question is “What is the small-scale cousin of hydroponics?” Oh, oh, pick me, pick me…I know this!

And although my conventional plant growers will never cross over to the other side – the hydroculture side – they do appreciate it. And that’s just fine. They’re happy with their method, I’m happy with mine, and we respect each other’s choices.


Will Hydroculture Ever Sweep The Nation?

I would like to think so – since it’s so much easier to be successful with houseplants, which in turn will allow even the brownest of thumbs to raise healthy greenery – but as cynical as it sounds, I doubt it – at least not on a very large scale and maybe not anywhere near its true form. At the most, it may become a trendy item – much like the Lucky Bamboo (Dracaena Sanderiana) – with a handful of plants. And even at that, I don’t really see anything beyond what the ‘Betta in a Vase’ fad consists of – minus the fish.

Just like the Peace Lily that’s lodged snugly in a vase with its roots dangling in the water below – river rocks resting at the bottom for eye-catching décor – you may one day run across an Aglaonema, Dieffenbachia or Dracaena in a similar display. A pretty glass vase, a colourful plastic container or quaint ceramic pot, river rocks, pebbles or shiny glass stones, single or multiple plant additions – there is no limit to striking, attractive décor possibilities when it comes to houseplants and “soilless” plants are no exception. Add to that a little tag that says all you need to do is top off with some water now and then (simplicity to boot!) and voila! You’ll have consumers making their way to the cash with a nifty – and easy to care for – latest trend. And the more affordable the price, the more sales will ensue.

        
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The only problem with the above-mentioned possibilities is that you still won’t truly be growing houseplants in hydroculture. Yes, there is water involved but what you will actually be buying is houseplants growing in water not houseplants growing above water, which is the bona fide style of hydroculture.

Why would they do it that way?

Well, for one thing, it’s a lot easier to add simple “just add water” instructions on a tag to consumers rather than something as complicated as: “Every few months rinse out the clay pellets through running water. When water indicator reaches the minimum (MIN) setting, wait 3 – 4 days and then add water until the indicator reaches the optimum mark (OPT). Add water till the maximum mark (MAX) only during extended absences (ex: vacations). Feed plant with special hydroculture fertilizer in water-soluble or slow-release form (See Hydro Food from our [insert company name here] line of products)...” Blah, blah, blah.

Consumer’s response to the latter: “You’re scaring me”

Indeed.

In all honesty the first choice “just add water” is more ‘user-friendly’ and the consumer’s response will undoubtedly be a monosyllable “Cool”

You can’t just sell hydroculture plants with the setup from A - Z, you have to educate the public about it. The pellets have to be rinsed, the water indicator has to be respected and the feeding process has to be understood. In the end, it’s much easier to bend the rules and sell plants growing in water. They could even call it hydroculture if they choose because they won’t really be lying, just not giving more details. After all, the setup is ‘soilless’ as hydroculture should be, and there is water involved. They just won’t tell you that the roots should not be IN the water only ABOVE it. Minor offense.


Monetary Gain Also Drives The Market

I recently met – in a garden forum – a hydroculture fan that lives in the United Kingdom. His synopsis of why this method of growing plants has not spread far and wide – when it’s clearly healthier and more successful – was quite interesting to say the least. Allow me to share it with you.

He acknowledged that it is indeed very common to see plants in commercial areas/buildings and office spaces grown in the hydroculture style. The plant maintenance companies that supply these plants find it easier to maintain them with this growing method, not to mention the fact that plants in hydroculture have a much higher survival rate than plants in soil. Remember that you can’t ‘over’ water plants in this method, with the ‘over’ watering being one of the number one killers of indoor plants. It is very difficult to kill a plant in hydroculture, aside from never watering it again and having it die of thirst.

        
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In Holland, Germany and Switzerland (all hydroculture capitals), aside from commercial areas, a significant percentage of indoor plants are grown in hydroculture inside homes. Interestingly enough - even though commercially it’s a widely acceptable and preferred method – the same can’t be said about households in the UK. Very few nurseries sell plants to the public in the hydroculture method; most of the plants sold to the ordinary houseplant grower – like you and me – are in soil. Here in North America, even commercial areas are not really showcasing hydroculture plants. In my own area, I have honestly never – yet – seen hydroculture plants in any type of commercial setting, never mind in homes – besides my own. I’m sure there must be some but I have yet to see any.

My hydroculture comrade’s opinion on the above status of the hydro method (lack of availability to the general public) was three-fold:

1. Consumers don’t want to pay more; complete hydroculture kits can be pricey (even though it is only to start; the long-term costs compared to soil are a lot less)
2. No one understands the system (without the basic knowledge they can’t possibly know that it’s a much more efficient and rewarding method so they won’t buy into it)
3. Why would nurseries give up substantial profits? (on average, most people can’t sustain plants that they’ve purchased for more than a year or two so they go back and buy more)

        
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It’s a big market out there folks for soil-grown plants. A truly big business. Now why would any market want to cut down so substantially on profits, which is what hydroculture would do if consumers started growing their plants in that method? They wouldn't spend anywhere near as much money in the long run with hydroculture as they do with conventionally grown plants.

So it’s quite a theory indeed, but a damn good one.
Is it true? I don’t know. Could it be possible? Absolutely.
No doubt about it, it raises an eyebrow.

Or maybe I’m just over-analyzing, at which point I hope the hydroculture business proves me wrong...

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