Hydroculture and Hydroponics

Did you know that you don't have to grow your houseplants in dirt? Essentially the dirt is just the medium holding the plant up and allowing the roots to pull nutrients through moisture. You can throw out the dirt, and insects and disease along with it! Many houseplants grow very nicely in a simple double pot with a simple water solution, sometimes called passive hydroponics.

In Hydroculture, pebbles rather than dirt hold up the plant's stem and roots. The reservoir pot is filled to a pre-determined level with a water nutrient solution. The roots grow out around the pebbles. Once a plant is setup, you periodically re-fill the reservoir with nutrient solution.

Hydroculture is the little brother of hydroponics. In hydroponics, bigger containers, more involved water systems, and complex solutions are combined to grow vegetables that we buy in the supermarket. Houseplants will grow very nicely in a simpler, more passive version of the hydroponics process, which is called hydroculture.

Growing plants hydroponically has the potential to increase fruit size as well as yield. Plants grow faster and larger because water and nutrients are constantly available for uptake. Hydroponically grown plants are normally grown inside, keeping them safe from insects and diseases.

Growing plants hydroponically has the potential to increase fruit size, and hydroponic systems are typically used to grow food.  Aquaponics is the method of growing crops and fish together in a re-circulating system.

Growing Plants in Water

There are several obvious advantages to growing plants in water. In addition to not having to worry about giving your plants too much or too little water, there is no messy soil or drain dish to bother with, and none of the hassles associated with repotting when the plant outgrows its container.

There are just a few basic rules to consider, when growing plants in water. Select glass containers whenever possible. Plastic, ceramic, or pottery containers may, over time, leach harmful chemicals into the water, which could damage or kill your plants. Algae may tend to grow in clear containers exposed to bright light. To avoid problems with algae, use dark glass containers or place your glass containers inside baskets, decorative bowls, or pots.

If you plan to grow your plants from unrooted cuttings, you should remove all the leaves from the portions of the stems that will be under water. The cuttings should be at least six inches long. Place the cuttings in the container and pour in approximately three inches of washed gravel (mixed with one teaspoon of washed charcoal) or glass marbles to anchor the stems. Add non-chlorinated water at room temperature. Do not use demineralized water and do not add plant food. Plant food should only be added to water for plants with very well developed root systems.

The picture at the top-left is a plant that I have been growing in water. More than likely, I will transfer it to soil in the next few weeks. 

The plant pictured above right is a Container Garden that I started about 3 years ago, in water. It's about 3 feet in length, thick, and very healthy.  I occasionally trim it from the bottom to keep it at least an inch from the floor. Pruning the plant in this fashion promotes thicker growth.