What is semi hydro? I've got mine in soil, but I'm interested in other ideas.
You can check out !hydroponics@slrpnk.net for more information about hydro in general if you're interested.
I've already explained this technique, but sadly only on !gruenerdaumen@feddit.org in German.
I've also found a schematic, but also in German.
It's a passive and very simple hydroponic system, where the pots stand 1/3 in nutrient solution, and it gets wicked up by expanded clay balls.
It provides absolutely ideal conditions for plants (extremely well aerated, perfect nutrients, etc.), but not for pests, and I only have to water once in about two weeks.
I'm so envious. I clearly don't know how to take care of my calatheas, the last one has been giving up the ghost this past week ๐
My "secret tip" is having them in semi-hydro (passive hydroponics with LECA).
The claim that they'll need 60+% RH is wrong in my experience, they "only" need the absolute perfect balance between having a substrate that's too wet (rotting risk) and too dry (wilting and burnt leaves).
Also, tap water is very bad for them, even here in Germany with extremely high standards (no chlorine or fluorine, etc.).
My nutrient solution is made with a full nutrient fertilizer and pure water (osmosis or rain), so there's no bad stuff (carbonates, etc.) in there. They react very badly to those things.
My collection is less than a year old, most of them not even a few months. They've been growing like weeds, even in winter!
You're making me want to try it again. Mine never quite hit the "growing like weeds" stage, just a very gradual decline ever since I got them. I saw that about tap water a few months ago and got a big boost after switching to distilled water. But then something happened after I tried a humidifier, possibly the particulate dust poisoned the plant just like tap water would. ๐คทโโ๏ธ
I wouldn't recommend it tbh.
Transitioning plants, especially calatheas and such, from soil to hydro is very very veeery annoying.
You have to get every little last bit of dirt off, or else everything rots away.
This process can be quite challenging for many plants, and I would advise anyone without expertise to not bother, or else you're up to a lot of frustration.
You can easily get a few cuttings of the Maranta leuconora if you want.
Proplifting
is the term you'll want to search for ;)
They can be very easily propagated via cuttings, opposed to Calatheas which can only be done via root splitting
Houseplants
Welcome to /c/houseplants @ Mander.xyz!
In between life, we garden.
About
We're a warm and informative space for plant enthusiasts to connect, learn, and flourish together. Dive into discussions on care, propagation, and styling, while embracing eco-friendly practices. Join us in nurturing growth and finding serenity through the extraordinary world of houseplants.
Need an ID on your green friends? Check out: !plantid@mander.xyz
Get involved in Citizen Science: Add your photo here to help build a database of plants across the entire planet. This database is used by non-profits, academia, and the sciences to promote biodiversity, learning and rewilding.
Rules
- Don't throw mud. Be kind and remember the human.
- Keep it rooted (on topic).
- No spam.
Resources
Recommendations
Health
Identification
- PlantNet.org (see also: !plantid@mander.xyz)
- Seek from iNaturalist
Light Information
- GrowLightMeter
- PlantLightDB
- HouseplantJournal (Scroll down.)
Databases
- Catalogue of Life
- Perenual.com
- The Garden.org Plants Database
- Useful Tropical Plants (Interactive Database Version)
- WorldFloraOnline
- USA-NPN
- Tom Clothier's Garden Walk and Talk
- Plants for a Future
- USDA Datasets
- Permapeople.org
- Temperature Climate Permaculture: Plant Index
- Natural Capital Plant Database
- Colorado Plant Database
- SEINet
- North American Ethnobotany Database
- BCSS Field No. Lookup (collection site IDs for cacti and succulents)
- U Michigan Native Plant Database for Michigan by Region
FOSS Tools
- Common House Plants API
- HappyPlants (Monitoring App)
- PlantGeek (Care Info App)
Similar Communities
DM us to add yours! :)
General
Gardening
- !balconygardening@slrpnk.net
- !gardening@mander.xyz
- !nativeplantgardening@mander.xyz
- !gardening@lemmy.ml
- !gardening@midwest.social
- !permaculture@lemmy.world
- !tropical_plants@mander.xyz
Species
Regional
Science
Sister Communities
Science and Research
Biology and Life Sciences
- !anthropology@mander.xyz
- !biodiversity@mander.xyz
- !palaeoecology@mander.xyz
- !palaeontology@mander.xyz