What's Growing On...In Hydroculture?
When I first started hydroculture I honestly had absolutely no idea what the heck I
was doing. I had stumbled upon it accidentally – lucky me – and didn’t know
anyone personally who grew plants this way that could point me in the right
direction. In addition, there was very little – if any - information about it
in the gazillion plant books that I’ve bought and read over the years. Slightly
discouraged, I turned to the internet, which also turned out to be a little bit
of a disappointment. Who would have thought that information about hydroculture
would be lacking in cyberspace, of all places?
Determined to get this thing off the ground, I pulled myself up by my bootstraps – even
though my boots don’t have straps - and plowed ahead. On my own. Blindly. Now,
a few years later, I don’t care whether my boots have straps or not because I
no longer need them – boots or straps. I’ve managed to get to where I was going
with these three elements: trial and error, a kitchen that has spent (and
continues to spend) many hours serving as an experimental lab and a few (many,
many) leafy test subjects. With over 100 assorted conversions under my belt, I
am doing what I hoped I’d be doing eventually, which is growing every single
plant in my house in hydroculture regardless of what type it is. From
succulents to tropicals, from bulbs to tubers, from mature plants to seedlings
- no plant inside these walls dwells in soil.
The list of conversions continues to grow as time passes, and just like I did previously in
my article titled Hydroculture Gold Medalists,
I’d like to share eight more highly-successful transplants that rate as top performers. This
time I’ve chosen to write about plants that many of you – experienced and inexperienced – are
convinced cannot possibly survive, let alone thrive, in hydroculture. No way, no how. And between
you and me, until I got really comfortable with the hydroculture style, I doubted they would too.
But plants never cease to amaze me with their ability to adapt and keep on going.
And the ones below have not only converted but also flourished, season after
season.
Succulents That Keep On Growing
There is a misconception that succulents – or plants with succulent leaves or stems -
are the least likely to adapt to hydroculture and will most likely turn to mush
soon after being plucked out of soil. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Succulent-style plants have proven to be some of the best performers in this
growing style and the ones below are living proof of that.
Adenium Obesum – Desert Rose
If you are searching for an interesting plant that
requires minimal care, look no further than the Desert Rose. A magnificent
specimen with glossy foliage and a swollen, often twisted trunk (caudex), this
succulent adds a splash of colour to a sunny windowsill with its trumpet-shaped
flowers that come in shades of crimson red, bright pink and even white.
Although quite popular with houseplant enthusiasts, the
Desert Rose is rarely available commercially at local stores. If you run across
one locally, don’t hesitate to buy it; it may not be available for very long
and may not be available again any time soon.
Being highly-susceptible to root rot from over-watering, this
is the ideal plant for hydroculture. It adapts easily to the system with very
little fuss. A small number of leaves may drop during the process but will
quickly be replaced with vigorous new growth. When you are transplanting from
soil to clay pellets, make sure to wash all traces of soil off the base to
prevent rot.
For more information: The Exotic Desert Rose Comes To Town
Aloe Barbadensis - Aloe Vera
An Aloe plant - with its long, grey/green leaves edged
with tiny spikes - is available everywhere because it is easy to care for,
requiring nothing more than a lot of sunshine and careful watering. Along with
its ability to thrive effortlessly inside your home the Aloe is also well-known
for its medicinal properties. The gel inside the leaves is used for certain
ailments and as a soothing ointment for burns, itching, rashes, stings and
bites. It is also a common ingredient in a variety of beauty products.
With its ability to store large quantities of water in its
leaves accompanied by a shallow root system, you can well imagine how easy it
is to kill this otherwise resilient plant if you are heavy-handed with the
watering can. Why worry about it? Eliminate all water woes and grow this
succulent in hydroculture. Conversion is easy and swift, with very little
stress. Don’t be alarmed if water roots take long, possibly months, to appear;
it will not have a negative effect on the plant. When transplanting, remove all
traces of soil from the root system and the base to prevent the plant from
rotting.
Learn more: To Boldly Grow Where No Aloe Has Grown Before
Beaucarnea Recurvata – Ponytail Palm
This slow-growing, long-lived, attractive and intriguing specimen is more
interesting than attractive. It is also an excellent choice for indoor
gardeners in search of low maintenance houseplants. There’s no need for an
experienced green thumb with the Ponytail Palm that thrives on neglect and
requires very minimal care.
Truly an oddity with its large swollen base and long,
grass-like leaves that cascade from the top like a ‘ponytail’, this native to
Mexican deserts requires a lot of light and vigilance with the watering can to
grow happily. Switch this plant to hydroculture and eliminate all water worries.
When the two most important cultural requirements – light and water - are met
accordingly, this succulent will add a unique touch to your home for many
years.
Wash the base well when transplanting to remove all traces
of soil. The plant will experience some stress during the conversion; expect
the loss of some leaves. Water roots appear fairly quickly, within the month.
Learn more: Growing A Ponytail
Cephalocereus Senilis - Old Man Cactus
With long, white hair that completely covers the plant, the Cephalocereus Senilis – commonly
referred to as Old Man Cactus - is one of the most popular and identifiable members
of the cactus group. Don’t be fooled by the attractive, woolly appearance; underneath all
that shaggy hair lie sharp yellow spines.
Relatively easy to care for, provide a lot of sunshine (high levels of light encourage
hair growth) and very careful watering to prevent rot, which the plant is very prone
to. Despite the fact that it’s a cactus and plant growing skeptics will insist that
it can’t survive for long in a water-based system, Cephalocereus Senilis is one of the
best performers in hydroculture.
Transplant with great care; grip the plant with tongs or wrap several layers of newspaper
around it, lift it out of its pot, rinse the roots under running water and repot in clay
pellets. The plant adapts readily to the hydro system with no ill effects. Water roots may
take several weeks, even months, to emerge.
Learn more: Old Man Cactus
Crassula Ovata - Jade Plant
At some point in your plant growing years, you’ll undoubtedly grow the popular, shrubby
Crassula Ovata, which is by far one of the most recognized and beloved
succulents. With thick, oval-shaped, dark green leaves whose edges are
sometimes tinged with red, this attractive and easy to grow plant is a great
choice for both beginners and experts alike.
Jades are long-lived and uncomplicated, easily tolerating a wide range of indoor
conditions – except for over watering. In fact, the cause of death for the
majority of these plants is ‘drowning’. Why not completely eliminate all water
concerns by growing this lovely succulent in hydroculture? Transplanting from
soil to clay pellets requires little effort; Jades adopt the system
immediately. Water roots may take a long time to form but the plant will begin
shooting out new growth way before they emerge.
Kalanchoe Blossfeldiana
Pronounced Kal-an-CHOH-ee or Kal-an-KO-ee, this undemanding succulent is the perfect
choice if you’re searching for a plant that will make a nice gift – or one that
will add a splash of colour to a bright windowsill with delicate flowers that
come in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, white and purple. In addition, the
flowers last for several weeks and even months. But even between blooming
periods, Kalanchoe makes a great foliage plant with its waxy, dark green,
fleshy leaves.
Do away with the water juggling act associated with this pretty bloomer that cannot
tolerate wet feet or overly-extensive periods of draught by switching to the
hydroculture growing style. Kalanchoe converts easily with little or no
negative reactions. The plant tends to hold onto its flowers while it develops
water roots, but consider waiting until after the blooming period is over
before transplanting.
For more information: The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year – Kalanchoe
Pachypodium Lamerei - Madagascar Palm
An unusual specimen with a thick, spiny trunk covered with thorns and leaves that
form only at the top like a palm tree, this succulent is great for beginners
with its undemanding nature. Snatch one up when it becomes available at a local
greenhouse because, although quite popular, these beautiful plants are not
always easy to find.
Requiring very little water, especially in the winter, this palm-like oddity is an
outstanding performer in hydroculture, a system that takes the guesswork out of
watering. Like the Cephalocereus Senilis, handle this plant with great care
when transplanting to avoid being stabbed by the long, needle-sharp thorns. Conversion
is fairly quick; water roots may form anywhere within 2 – 4 weeks. There will be minimal
leaf loss due to stress but it will be replaced by new growth in next to no time.
Zamioculcas Zamiifolia - ZZ Plant
If all you can grow is artificial plants, consider this durable succulent that
practically thrives on neglect and requires very minimal care. Fairly new to
the market but increasing in popularity, the durable Zamioculcas Zamiifolia –
referred to as the ZZ plant - is not only easy to care for but also very
beautiful with its dark green, glossy leaves. This is a perfect choice for
beginners searching for a plant that is as close to indestructible as possible.
About the only thing that will kill this foolproof specimen is over-watering. Switch to
the hydroculture system and get rid of that worry for good. Zamioculcas
Zamiifolia converts eagerly but must be inspected regularly while it forms
water roots. Every week to ten days disassemble your hydroculture setup and
check for signs of rot on the tuber. If you find any, remove it, wash the area
well and repot; no need to worry, the plant will be fine.
For more information: Z Is For ZZ Plant
Who would have thought that succulents, of all plants, would rate as top performers in
hydroculture? But they do. And the plants above have lived to tell the tale.
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