I stumbled across a website that discussed hydroponics for houseplants. This appealed to me as I am horrible w/ houseplants. Unfortunately, I didn't save the site but this is what you do, to the best of my recollection:
You'll need a plant, ANY plant, with roots thoroughly washed (no dirt)
a clear glass container
an amount of clay pellets, enough to fill your container of choice
Using one hand, position the plant in the container and use the other hand to fill the container with the pellets. Once the plant is positioned the way you like, fill the container with just enough water to touch the longest roots.
Clay pellets can be obtained online or at your local hydroponics store, if you live in a metro area. Prior to planting, you soak the pellets in water for a few hours. The plant absorbs moisture from the moist pellets, which act as a sort of wick, using the little bit of water at the bottom of the vessel. You can place your plant in a bright, but not brutally sunny window, or in a shadier location. The site (I'm mad at myself for not saving it) said you can successfully grow C&S, AVs, tropicals, well anything.
My stab at hydroponics
Let's backtrack a bit. Last fall I bought this beautiful diffenbachia Paradise to set outside my patio. I didn't take care of it, but knowing this is a generally tough plant, I decided to save it for my hydro project. I cut all the leaves and planted in my clear container with the pre-moistened clay pellets. Hopefully you can see the water line is about 2" high. that's it.
Here's a closer look at the clay pellets. I think I paid $2/lb locally and this amount will be enough to make 4-5 similar plantings.
You will pay more online. Google "clay pellet sellers in _____ (your town)" before buying online. You'll be surprised.
I did this about 10 days ago and today I have a little nub. Knife is pointing to it.
I feel like a mad scientist! bwaahahahahaha
my next attempt will be with a paddle plant and also with an AV. Supposedly, you can add a couple of drops of superthrive to the water, but I haven't done that yet. Just trying to see if this little experiment will yield some results.
hopefully my diffenbachia will again look like this
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.zone10.com/plnt_img/576.JPG&imgrefurl=http://www.zone10.com/PlantPicDet.asp%3FPlant_ID%3D576&h=251&w=308&sz=19&hl=en&sig2=AaXaHOP4RrAVraCTy_1IvQ&start=3&tbnid=YOJQ03sgFRVdBM:&tbnh=95&tbnw=117&ei=1k_vRZb5OLSOaOj84ZQJ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Ddieffenbachia%2Bparadise%26svnum%3D10%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN
more on my madcap experiments. Here is a healthy paddle plant, unlike the above and pitiful diffenbachia. The knife is pointing to the water level, just touching the longest roots.
Beautiful arrangement. Do you think this would work for Anthurium?
progress report. I'm an eternal optimist, or just an idiot. Anywho, my first project is definitely not working out
the succulent and the AV are doing well. I need to post a pic of the AV.
Update: the diff. and the paddle plant died miserable deaths, not really sure what went wrong. But the AV continues to do well, with new leaves. This little urn is about 4" tall. I may do another one.
Of all my experiments, I considered the AV the riskiest. Go figure.
That is quite interesting! :D I may have to try it on my Bromiliad. I had it's mother for several years then finally "tossed" her. After I did that I have been stuggling for 2 years trying to save the "baby". I have been working dilligently for a couple of weeks to revive it & may work on it a couple more. If that doesn't work I may try this option. Thanks for the idea!
Joey
Isn't that "paddle plant" a succulent? That may explain why it didn't want wet feet.
I am going to look for those pellets the next time I am near a hydroponics store. Bet they would be great for water plants.
Ard., yes paddle plant is a succ. and for succulents you wet the pellets and add a tiny bit of water so that roots never touch water. But apparently, that was still too much moisture.