Gosh I have been rooting cutting in water for 40 years and plonking them into potting compost. I didn't realise how difficult it was until I watched this!😂
I LOVE when people try to reseatch stuff and give reasons for their claims. I've seen a lot of suggestions on how to transition plants from water to soil but none I've seen tried to really explain why it is hard on the plant. Thank you!
I've recently been thinking about my propagation method because my plants always get so droopy when moved. I know that's expected but there's gotta be a better way. But they do always bounce back and so fine in soil eventually. I usually do water propagation because it's the quickest way and I can actually keep an eye on the root progress. I think what I'm going to do is still water prop BUT as soon as I see small roots (about a cm maybe?) I will move it over to perlite in a prop box....we will see how it goes.
One of the best explanation on this topic. My experience is similar you need a chunky mix + also the transition is more successful when the plant is in optimum humidity so that even if some of the water roots die it will have time to produce new roots in potting mix...
Yes the roots just adapt to the condition, but obviously like you say you have to be careful with it. It’s the same say if you are growing some plants from seed in a greenhouse, when they are bigger you gradually introduce them to the outdoors over a couple of weeks, if you just stick them straight out there in wind and rain it can shock them and they might die, but that doesn’t mean that they forever have to be greenhouse plants (as long as you live in the right climate for that plant) 😊
Thank you. Great video and explanation. I have always propagated my aroids in water and then converted them over to LECA, Pon, or my DIY chunky aroid mix. I do like to treat them temporarily to a higher humidity environment with lots of light like a plastic bag, a homemade cloche, or a prop box just to help them adjust.
That’s EXACTLY how I propagate too!! It’s the simplest and most effective way of doing it (IMO). I’ve gotta get my hands on a bag of Pon still… I hear great things about it!
I have had a lot of success using a net pot or just watering the cutting a lot more than you usually would because they are used to a lot of water and then gradually tapering off the watering adding more potting mix that’s usually a good technique for me…
I think adding hydrogen peroxide in small amounts to water props and Leca is great because it stops the anaerobic environment, can stop any root rot and adds a bunch of oxygen to the water
In my experience, the plant will choose the most efficient route (in terms of time spent and resources used) when it is moved from one environment to another. It can choose to adapt the existing roots, grow new ones or do both :)
Can you elaborate on why moving the cuttings directly from water to a chunky aroid mix is considered gradual here, or allows the roots to adapt more easily than a denser, more water saturated medium? Given that water is roughly 0.001% oxygen, it feels counterintuitive to me to take the roots from a very low oxygen environment to a relatively high oxygen environment without an intermediate step.
I think it's because since its a good draining mix it can actually absorb the appropriate amount of water to maintain the plant but also allows for enough air gaps to allow it to transition to soil roots, so i guess the trick would be to water semi regularly to avoid desiccation
Excellent! This is just what I was looking for (an explanation of the root system). I recently read that people just cut off the roots of a cutting received because the "water" roots will all just die. So what's the point in the water prop!? People on RUclips are also always saying, "look at these fuzzy water roots!" And I'm all, "my roots in soil are way fuzzier than my roots in water." People call spag roots "water roots." Seems like spag would be more compact with less oxygen ? I usually amends it with coconut husk.
This is absolutely correct! My soil roots are actually fuzzy. You can see the root hairs which soak up the water, and once they receive the water, the fuzziness goes away! Great idea to amend the moss! I like to add perlite or something airy and light
@@prettyingreen Root hairs are amazing. They will fade when subjected to too much water, but return once the conditions are favorable. They are short lived and super delicate structures, the plant constantly replaces the old ones with new.
This is the CLEAREST explanation I've ever gotten on how root systems transition. THANK YOU!!🙏🏾 Question: Does the amount of time a plant has been in water affect its ability to survive the transition? I have a flamingo flower cutting, that's been in water for about 9 months with quite a few 3-6" roots. I've been too hesitant to put it in soil, but your video gave me motivation to try🤔
This is a really good question, and I would guess that yes, the amount of time a plant is in water will make it a bit longer if a transition. From what I’ve learned about “water roots” is that they’re simply adapted regular roots that live better underwater. So I’d assume they’ll take a little time to transition back to dirt/leca other mediums! I hope this makes sense and helps 😄
roots absolutely can adapt. who says they cant? yeah, it can stress a bit, and you gotta be slow (i dont use water anymore, only moss, but when i was id put the planr in substrare with very little root. maybe an inch. then id run a wick through the bottom straight up and contacting the root. when i see new roots, ill gently pull the wick through the tbottom and out, and that guvesnthe root the constant water as wlrl as lets it grow plenty of new roots that are already adapted to soil.) but its not only possible but very easy to do. with some care. whoever said that doesnt know much about plants.
What I am trying to find out is, how to gradually transition my plant's (golden pothos) roots from their soil environment, which they aren't thriving in, no matter what I seem to do for it, to a water environment. How do you transition from soil to water?
But water is an environment with almost no oxygen, so why wouldn't such roots be better in a muddy soil where there's still just a little bit more oxygen rather than in an aerated soil where there's comparably huge amounts of oxygen? Doesn't sound like a gradual transition, or maybe I'm missing something.
I might not understand this Q fully-but fresh water has oxygen: h2O. Muddy water maybe have less due to life forms consuming it. A well aerated soil mix will have lots of oxygen, since air typically has about 20% oxygen in it. I hope this clears it up!
Hi , nice content , i think you forgot to explain the other one , soil roots to water (without soil) , i was in need of that help , what would be your best suggestion for me ?
Can one use succulent mix with perlite and a little regular potting soil for pothos starting? I have all sorts I want to get in pots from their water and really want success.
Could you do a video about plants youve transitioned into leca from soil !?? Im trying to transition my bird of paradise and its not taking so well ...
Yes! I’ve been thinking about doing a vid on exactly how to make the transition successful. Key is making sure all soil like bits are off of the roots, then making sure it’s not sitting in anaerobic stagnant water 😄 Sorry for the delayed reply!
@@prettyingreen ive got the airstone going on it ! I think i majority of soil off and it hasnt died just taking forever to acclimate ... Please and thank you !!
@@kellyeshleman2206 To be fair I've never done a Bird of Paradise in LECA, but I don't see why it wouldn't work! Maybe consider the 50/50 Perlite / LECA mix we use! I have a video on it: ruclips.net/video/m7zAgiFKbfE/видео.html
What is your honest opinion of leca versus chunky aroid mix? Is there a good source of knowing which plants should stay in the chunky aroid mix, and which can be grown well in leca? I am in the early steps of my leca journey... BTW, was that syngonium a Three Kings???
I use both, but just for different plants. For Monstera I tend towards pure LECA, with Philodendron I use more perlite and chunky Aroid mix. I typically base it in the diameter of the roots. If they’re too fine and thin, I do Aroid mix. Thicker, do LECA.
@@prettyingreen Thank you for validating my inclination. Pon and Perlite it is! Should I cover with a cloche? Humidity levels are about 70% under the glass, and 68-70•. Too much for a baby?
Since the roots are more use to oxygen would doing a weak hydrogen peroxide (5 to 1) rinse help? I know that can help with root rot but what about something like this?
@@prettyingreen You`d have to be mindful of the pH of the H2O2 solution, 3% is typically around PH 6. I would let it be as the plant will be stressed enough as it is :) With the inefficient root system (not adapted to the new environment) its best to keep transpiration losses down so the plant can focus on the roots not on survival
Gosh I have been rooting cutting in water for 40 years and plonking them into potting compost. I didn't realise how difficult it was until I watched this!😂
Lol then you're doing something right for sure! I bet the cuttings love fresh compost 😃
Sometimes it’s good to just keep it simple!
Thank you for not trying to entertain me with bells and whistles but instead giving solid information.
Thank you for watching!
Super helpful thank you!!! Most informative video I’ve seen for transferring props from water to substrate! ❤️
I LOVE when people try to reseatch stuff and give reasons for their claims. I've seen a lot of suggestions on how to transition plants from water to soil but none I've seen tried to really explain why it is hard on the plant. Thank you!
I've recently been thinking about my propagation method because my plants always get so droopy when moved. I know that's expected but there's gotta be a better way. But they do always bounce back and so fine in soil eventually. I usually do water propagation because it's the quickest way and I can actually keep an eye on the root progress. I think what I'm going to do is still water prop BUT as soon as I see small roots (about a cm maybe?) I will move it over to perlite in a prop box....we will see how it goes.
One of the best explanation on this topic. My experience is similar you need a chunky mix + also the transition is more successful when the plant is in optimum humidity so that even if some of the water roots die it will have time to produce new roots in potting mix...
YES!!! That’s exactly the idea!! 🤗
Clear and concise. Roots are roots!
😄😄😅😅😅
Yes the roots just adapt to the condition, but obviously like you say you have to be careful with it. It’s the same say if you are growing some plants from seed in a greenhouse, when they are bigger you gradually introduce them to the outdoors over a couple of weeks, if you just stick them straight out there in wind and rain it can shock them and they might die, but that doesn’t mean that they forever have to be greenhouse plants (as long as you live in the right climate for that plant) 😊
Thank you. Great video and explanation. I have always propagated my aroids in water and then converted them over to LECA, Pon, or my DIY chunky aroid mix. I do like to treat them temporarily to a higher humidity environment with lots of light like a plastic bag, a homemade cloche, or a prop box just to help them adjust.
That’s EXACTLY how I propagate too!! It’s the simplest and most effective way of doing it (IMO). I’ve gotta get my hands on a bag of Pon still… I hear great things about it!
I have had a lot of success using a net pot or just watering the cutting a lot more than you usually would because they are used to a lot of water and then gradually tapering off the watering adding more potting mix that’s usually a good technique for me…
I think adding hydrogen peroxide in small amounts to water props and Leca is great because it stops the anaerobic environment, can stop any root rot and adds a bunch of oxygen to the water
In my experience, the plant will choose the most efficient route (in terms of time spent and resources used) when it is moved from one environment to another. It can choose to adapt the existing roots, grow new ones or do both :)
Yup I would agree! Makes logical sense 😄
Thank you for sharing your knowledge! Truly helpful! Thanks!!
So glad this was helpful!! I thought it needed a video on it 😄 Thank you for watching!!
Can you elaborate on why moving the cuttings directly from water to a chunky aroid mix is considered gradual here, or allows the roots to adapt more easily than a denser, more water saturated medium? Given that water is roughly 0.001% oxygen, it feels counterintuitive to me to take the roots from a very low oxygen environment to a relatively high oxygen environment without an intermediate step.
I think it's because since its a good draining mix it can actually absorb the appropriate amount of water to maintain the plant but also allows for enough air gaps to allow it to transition to soil roots, so i guess the trick would be to water semi regularly to avoid desiccation
Thanks for the information. I've always had problems when converting from one medium to another.
So glad it was helpful! It’s crucial to keep lots of air in the new media! 😄
Excellent! This is just what I was looking for (an explanation of the root system). I recently read that people just cut off the roots of a cutting received because the "water" roots will all just die. So what's the point in the water prop!?
People on RUclips are also always saying, "look at these fuzzy water roots!" And I'm all, "my roots in soil are way fuzzier than my roots in water."
People call spag roots "water roots." Seems like spag would be more compact with less oxygen ? I usually amends it with coconut husk.
This is absolutely correct! My soil roots are actually fuzzy. You can see the root hairs which soak up the water, and once they receive the water, the fuzziness goes away!
Great idea to amend the moss! I like to add perlite or something airy and light
@@prettyingreen
Root hairs are amazing. They will fade when subjected to too much water, but return once the conditions are favorable. They are short lived and super delicate structures, the plant constantly replaces the old ones with new.
Good. You should make more)
😊
This is the CLEAREST explanation I've ever gotten on how root systems transition. THANK YOU!!🙏🏾
Question: Does the amount of time a plant has been in water affect its ability to survive the transition? I have a flamingo flower cutting, that's been in water for about 9 months with quite a few 3-6" roots. I've been too hesitant to put it in soil, but your video gave me motivation to try🤔
This is a really good question, and I would guess that yes, the amount of time a plant is in water will make it a bit longer if a transition. From what I’ve learned about “water roots” is that they’re simply adapted regular roots that live better underwater. So I’d assume they’ll take a little time to transition back to dirt/leca other mediums! I hope this makes sense and helps 😄
Thanks, another great explanation
💚
Great video!
Thank you, Michele!
thank you for making this
Absolutely!! Thank you for checking it out 😄
Great video I got it thanks
I didn't even know they're considered different types of roots cause I've never really had any issues putting my water propagations in soil
I really haven’t either! That means you’re growing in a nice and airy grow media 😊
This is really well explained
Thank you for the kind words!! I did my best to explain a bit of a weird / confusing topic! Appreciate you checking out the video 😄
roots absolutely can adapt. who says they cant?
yeah, it can stress a bit, and you gotta be slow (i dont use water anymore, only moss, but when i was id put the planr in substrare with very little root. maybe an inch. then id run a wick through the bottom straight up and contacting the root. when i see new roots, ill gently pull the wick through the tbottom and out, and that guvesnthe root the constant water as wlrl as lets it grow plenty of new roots that are already adapted to soil.) but its not only possible but very easy to do. with some care.
whoever said that doesnt know much about plants.
Ive transfer pothos from water to soil mix without issue 90% of the time. Just be sure the plant has adequate root system
100% this
Ótima explica.
Thank you!!! 😄
How long would the transition be from soil roots to water roots? Let's say for Maranta and Ctenanthe?
New subscriber here!l love your thoughts about roots🌱💚
Thank you!! I appreciate the sub!!! 🤗
That's What I Keep Saying... Roots Are Roots...AND That Includes AERIAL ROOTS!!! THEY'RE Not Called ROOTS For Nothing... THEY Can Adapt!!!
YES!!!!! I thought I was going crazy on my own!!! 😝
What I am trying to find out is, how to gradually transition my plant's (golden pothos) roots from their soil environment, which they aren't thriving in, no matter what I seem to do for it, to a water environment. How do you transition from soil to water?
I took a dead plant kept the like bulb and roots had it in wayer and want to go to soil do i let them dry out some any help is appreciated
I have an avocado tree that I have in water. Should I slowly add soil to the water?
Once it has enough roots, plant it in a pot with some soil!
@@prettyingreen thank you!
But water is an environment with almost no oxygen, so why wouldn't such roots be better in a muddy soil where there's still just a little bit more oxygen rather than in an aerated soil where there's comparably huge amounts of oxygen? Doesn't sound like a gradual transition, or maybe I'm missing something.
I might not understand this Q fully-but fresh water has oxygen: h2O. Muddy water maybe have less due to life forms consuming it.
A well aerated soil mix will have lots of oxygen, since air typically has about 20% oxygen in it. I hope this clears it up!
I transferred my money plant from water to soil more than a month and there is no growth.should I change to coco peat or Leca or back to water?
Hi , nice content , i think you forgot to explain the other one , soil roots to water (without soil) , i was in need of that help , what would be your best suggestion for me ?
Hi! Just simply spray off the roots of all soil and put in LECA / water / semi hydro media
I have a question...Why bother put it in a medium? What would happen if it stayed in water (much) longer?
Some people do grow plants hydroponically (in water only). I think soil is just easier for most people, myself included
Am I losing my mind or are your lights moving back & forth in the background? 😳😂
lol good eye! They are on light movers!
Can one use succulent mix with perlite and a little regular potting soil for pothos starting? I have all sorts I want to get in pots from their water and really want success.
Yes! I’ve used succulent mixes for this in the past due to the high air holding capacity in the media!
@@prettyingreen thank you!
Could you do a video about plants youve transitioned into leca from soil !?? Im trying to transition my bird of paradise and its not taking so well ...
Yes! I’ve been thinking about doing a vid on exactly how to make the transition successful. Key is making sure all soil like bits are off of the roots, then making sure it’s not sitting in anaerobic stagnant water 😄 Sorry for the delayed reply!
@@prettyingreen ive got the airstone going on it ! I think i majority of soil off and it hasnt died just taking forever to acclimate ...
Please and thank you !!
@@kellyeshleman2206 To be fair I've never done a Bird of Paradise in LECA, but I don't see why it wouldn't work! Maybe consider the 50/50 Perlite / LECA mix we use! I have a video on it: ruclips.net/video/m7zAgiFKbfE/видео.html
So you'd use this 3-2-1 mix for adapting a water-rooted Pothos?
Yup! That’s exactly how we grow all our plants 😄
What is your honest opinion of leca versus chunky aroid mix? Is there a good source of knowing which plants should stay in the chunky aroid mix, and which can be grown well in leca? I am in the early steps of my leca journey... BTW, was that syngonium a Three Kings???
I use both, but just for different plants. For Monstera I tend towards pure LECA, with Philodendron I use more perlite and chunky Aroid mix. I typically base it in the diameter of the roots. If they’re too fine and thin, I do Aroid mix. Thicker, do LECA.
I’m trying not o transfer my tiny baby Thai Constellations from soil, to semi-hydro. I wonder how I can safely achieve this. 💚
You might want to try a mixed media option -- something like pon + perlite / Stratum + Perlite -- something small grained for the small roots!
@@prettyingreen Thank you for validating my inclination. Pon and Perlite it is! Should I cover with a cloche? Humidity levels are about 70% under the glass, and 68-70•. Too much for a baby?
Since the roots are more use to oxygen would doing a weak hydrogen peroxide (5 to 1) rinse help? I know that can help with root rot but what about something like this?
Absolutely! This is a great tactic
@@prettyingreen
You`d have to be mindful of the pH of the H2O2 solution, 3% is typically around PH 6. I would let it be as the plant will be stressed enough as it is :) With the inefficient root system (not adapted to the new environment) its best to keep transpiration losses down so the plant can focus on the roots not on survival
How do you make that mix?
He has a video for that.
Can you point me towards the right size of coco chips for a decent price?
Yup, right here: amzn.to/3KyiCVz
Thanks! Any tips on dealing with fungus gnats while needing to keep the soil moist?@@prettyingreen
Am i tripping or are your lights moving?
I kinda see it too unless we’re both crazy😄
Hahahaha nope you’re NOT crazy! Every light I have is on a light mover: which is a way to spread light more evenly and improve energy efficiency 😄
@@prettyingreen ok good 🤣 but that is seriously smart!
very good explanation... I've not had success with water-to-soil before, but it's happening now thanks to channels like 'Pretty in Green'
Awesome!! I love to hear that this helps 😄 Definitely give the new mix lots of aeration with good drainage and it should be successful