THEGreen in the house is good: the color of the leaves speaks to our soul, promoting inner calm and facilitating concentration, the plants absorb pollutants and with the beauty of the shapes they become part of the décor, which gratifies our gaze. For those unfamiliar with indoor varieties, making mistakes is easy. The most classic mistake is watering too much: leaves turn yellow, roots rot or are attacked by fungi. And the plant is doomed.
There is another way to go, recommended for those who do not have a green thumb and want to make less effort: to cultivate without land. It seems impossible, but it works: just replace the sod with water. This kind of cultivation was already known to the Romans and there are those who hypothesize that it was also used in the Babylonian hanging gardens. Today it is used on a professional scale in greenhouses for the production of vegetables. At home, it is trendy to experiment with decorative plants. To understand how it works, we have collected the tips of Marco Lalli, gardening expert of Viridea.
Plants in water: hydroponics or hydroculture?
The cultivation in water is practiced through the techniques of hydroponics and hydroculture. Often these two terms are presented as synonyms, but this is not the case. Hydroponics provides a glass vase, transparent or colored, in which to put the plant with the roots immersed in water, 2-3 cm high. Aesthetically, it is pleasant to see the containers resting on a shelf, with the root system in sight. The handicap of this choice, if the vegetable gets light, it is the possible development of algae: they are tiny, but they can damage the roots and must be removed. In order not to risk this inconvenience, there is an alternative: focus on hydroculture.
Again, it is grown with water, but adding a substrate of inert matter. The materials to choose from are expanded clay in balls, which is the easiest to find, but also perlite, vermiculite, coir or pon. Instead of glass, hydroculture requires two special vessels, which can be purchased as a kit in a garden center. The first is a non-transparent vase holder that has an ornamental function and is without holes. To avoid terracotta, because it absorbs: plastic or resin are preferred. The second is an openwork vase for hydroculture. In the kit, a meter is usually also included that indicates the level of water that will be put. It is not possible to go wrong as it can happen with watering: just follow the indicator. Both for hydroculture and for hydroponics it is necessary to obtain the nourishment to give to the plant: it is a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer in resin microbeads, which must be put every three five months, with the measuring cup, in the quantities suggested. It is the same product for both and the release is slow, so you don’t have to remember to feed all the time.
The right plants to choose
They are cultivable with hydroponics and with hydroculture almost all the most common houseplants: pothos, sanseveria, anthurium, Phalaenopsis (orchids), dracaena, tradescanzia, spatifillo and also philodendronsincluding the scenographic Monstera. To these are added Ficus and calatea, for which hydroculture is preferable. They grow up without land also basil, rosemary and parsley, sage instead it is more difficult: cacti are excluded, while some succulents can be purchased already prepared for hydroponics: the aspiring gardener is only responsible for placing them in the glass jar. As for the size of the plant, hydroponics is generally recommended for smaller ones, while hydroponics are more suitable for larger sizes.
From land to water how to do it
Once you have chosen and purchased the plant, with the appropriate kit or glass vase, the only moment that requires particular attention is the passage from land to water. Both for hydroponics and for hydroculture it is necessary gently remove the seedling from the pot with the earth and wash the roots carefully, leaving no residue, because the earth can cause them to rot. Just get a basin, fill it with water at room temperature leaving only the roots immersed for about half an hour. At the end, with the help of a toothbrush the leftovers of earth are eliminated, until the roots are white and clean. If they are too long, they may be slightly blunt. Those who do not feel like going through this step can buy the plants already prepared in a garden center. However washing is not difficult: just be careful not to use water that is too hot or too cold.
At this point, the path changes depending on the container. If you aim for the glass jar, it should be filled with plain or distilled water (that of the tap must not have too much limestone) up to a height of 2-3 cm, then place the plant. The roots must remain partly outside to breathe. When the water goes down too much, it must be topped up. If you choose a very large pot, the water will not keep the plant upright. To prevent it from overturning, you can put some clay balls. If the two pots are used for hydroculture, a layer of expanded clay or other material of about 2 cm is placed in the perforated pot, then the seedling is arranged which remains anchored and the roots are delicately covered with other balls. After placing it inside the pot, pour the water, natural or distilled at room temperature, at the minimum level of the indicator. It should only be brought to the maximum when you are away for a few days, otherwise just check that it remains at a minimum, topping up if necessary. Be careful not to let it dry out: without water, the plant dies.
After a few months, if you see white lines appear due to limescale, you can wash the jars with water and vinegar and replace the water. Stop to mold and bacteria Hydroponics and hydroculture have advantages. No land means cleaner in the house. Maintenance is simple: just remember to add water when needed, and thanks to the indicator with hydroponics, it becomes impossible to err on the quantity. Therefore, there is no risk of rot due to irrigation errors, which can create a favorable environment for the development of mold and bacteria. Plants are therefore healthier and grow faster, and there is also water saving. The fertilizer is also proof of lazy gardeners: the plants in the ground require closer nourishment in time. Overall, growing in water requires less time and less care. Even if only the gardener’s daily gaze guarantees the good health of the plant.
iO Donna © REPRODUCTION RESERVED