Identification Help: Indoor Plants in Hydroculture - what are they?

[Astronut]

Hi

I have three pictures of two plants. One is a palm of some sort (I think!), the other could be of Chinese origin.

Could I have some feedback please on:

1. What each of the plants are (two pictures are of one plant - fairly obvious)

2. Given they are living in water /hydroculture, how do I best look after them (I inherited them)

3. In particular how do I feed them - if appropriate - and can anyone recommmend a good hydroculture feed solution

4. What is their best position - in sunlight or out

5. Can either of them be propogated easily /at all and if so how

Sorry for so many questions. I am really pleased I have found this website it seems so helpful

David Moore
Great Glen
United Kingdom

[globalist1789]

I'm not sure about the first ones, try Dracaena sanderiana "Lucky Bamboo". The pics are blurry. I'm pretty sure that the last is a Dieffenbachia.

[Junglekeeper]

The first plant reminds me of Rhapsis excelsa, Lady Palm. However the fishtail-like leaf tips on your plant does not match.

The second plant looks like a species of Aglaonema, Chinese Evergreen. Perhaps a cultivar of A. commutatum.

[Astronut]

Hi

You may be right - the edge tips are not typical as the edges have been trimmed to cut away dead growth, they actuallly feather to a few pointed tips if left

David

[Astronut]

Hi

Thanks to everyone for your help

I am sorry the pictures were blurry - I will take some more photos tomorrow so that everyone can see them in their glory

Any feedback on how to keep them well in the hydroculture especially feeding?

I understand that palms should be fed as follows:

The latest University of Florida recommendation for palms is to use 8-4-12. Palm fertilizer should automatically include 3-4% of both magnesium and manganese

Do you agree

Also, I has a go at cleaning the palm leaves with lemon juice. This seems to have kept the leaves nice but I am a bit worried about the residue that lemon juice has. What should I clean the leaves with - can you feed the plant in this way if you use the right solution?

Thanks again. Pictures up tomorrow is you want to look back

David

[Astronut]

Hi

Here are some better pictures of both plants

Thank you for your feedback

I am fairly sure now they are Rhapsis Excelsa and Algaonema (possible Commutatum)

Welcome any more feedback on ID or care

Many thanks to you experts!

[Marn]

that one is a Palm and the other is a chinese evergreen .. i would get them both in dirt soon if they have roots .. they really are not the type to grow in water .. they need the dirt ..
as far as propogation .. palms can be done by seperation and the chinese evergreen is done by rooting cuttings of off shoots taken from the main plant ..

Marn

[naturelover]

Hi David,

Of course you can grow all those plants in hydroculture. In fact, just about every plant can grow in that method. I have dozens of plants in that style. Aside from my cacti & succulents, all the rest of my plants are in hydroculture; none are in soil, no soil at all.

Do not put those plants back in soil; they might not make it. It is easier to convert a plant from soil to water than vice versa. And the longer those plants have been in water, the less chance they'll be able to revert back to soil. They now have water roots and once placed in soil will not be able to pull up water or nutrients.

But regardless of that. Why would you want to put them back in soil? They can do just as well if not better in hydroculture. Hydroculture is an innovative and highly successful method so don't worry about it. Keep them there.

Your 3rd & 4th photos are images of Aglaonema ('Emerald Green' if my memory serves me right). The other images are of a Palm, although I couldn't tell you off the top of my head which one. Both these plants are excellent candidates for hydroculture.

How do I care for my hydroculture group? I rinse/change the water at least once a month. The best fertilizer to use is one especially made for hydroculture, which you can find in hydroponic shops. However, if you do not have a shop near you or don't have any place to find that fertilizer, you can temporarily try my method.

I use Miracle Gro liquid fertilizer at 1/10th the strength. In other words, if the instructions say to add 10 drops per liter, I add 1. I feed my plants once a month during the growing season - April - September - and I make sure to change the water after 2 - 3 weeks so the fertilizer is not there for longer than needed.

Other than that, your plants don't need much else. You can disassemble the setup (which is easy to do) and clean out everything (plants, pots, medium) now and then to clean the plants as well (this removes dust from their leaves and pests that may want to take up residence). As you know, there are no more soil bugs and no more fungus/mold in the soil as there's no more soil. What more can you ask for?

For some photos of hydroculture success and more information, you can visit my personal website at: www.waterroots.com

So relax and enjoy your plants. They will do great in hydroculture!