Can Asparagus Fern Be Grown in Water? Hydroponic Methods and Precautions
Besides being made into bonsai, can asparagus fern (Asparagus setaceus) be grown in water? There is currently quite a bit of debate online about whether asparagus fern can be grown hydroponically. Some gardening enthusiasts believe it cannot, because the asparagus fern's scale-like leaves transpire little water, and over time the leaves turn yellow and the roots begin to die. But other enthusiasts have seen successful hydroponic cases online. Let's take a look below at whether asparagus fern can really be grown in water!
Can Asparagus Fern Be Grown in Water?
Asparagus fern can be grown in water. The asparagus fern has an elegant plant shape, with slender and delicate leaf-like branches, making it an excellent choice for hydroponics. Moreover, hydroponic asparagus fern is simpler to care for than soil-grown plants and has a high survival rate, but it does involve a certain degree of difficulty in practice.
When growing asparagus fern hydroponically, note that only two-thirds to three-quarters of the roots should be in the water, with the rest exposed to the air. Do not submerge all the roots in water, otherwise the roots will rot.
Hydroponic Methods for Asparagus Fern
1. Select a robust, well-developed asparagus fern as the mother plant material for hydroponics. Take the asparagus fern out of the pot together with the soil, carefully wash the soil off the roots, remove rotten roots, and trim off some old roots. Rinse the leaves and plant clean with clear water, taking care not to damage the plant. Asparagus fern roots grow slowly, so be careful when taking it out and do not injure the roots.
2. Secure the cleaned plant with a planting basket, making sure the roots are fully spread out; then place the plant together with the planting basket into a 1‰ carbendazim solution and soak the roots for 30 minutes. Put it in a cool place, and once the root system becomes soft, you can proceed to the next step.
3. Fill a nutrient solution reservoir with nutrient solution specially formulated for asparagus fern, and plant the prepared plant on a floating board (be sure to keep some roots exposed to the air). Mist the leaves twice a day. At a suitable temperature of 15-25°C, new roots will grow within two weeks, at which point foliar fertilizer should be added once a week.
4. After three to four weeks, the asparagus fern will have grown many new roots, and at this point you can transfer it to a bottle for static hydroponics; it is best to use expanded clay pebbles for support.
5. Asparagus fern prefers a semi-humid environment. Generally place it near a window with light, but not in direct sunlight, and keep it well ventilated. A tray with water should still be placed under the container, and the water should be replenished frequently.
6. For hydroponic asparagus fern, it is best to use a nutrient solution specially formulated for asparagus fern. Hydroponic asparagus fern is much easier to care for than soil-grown plants. Usually you only need to pay attention to changing the water: about every 7-10 days in summer and about every 20 days in winter, adding nutrient solution each time you change the water.
Shaping Methods for Hydroponic Asparagus Fern
1. Pot control method: The size ratio of the pot to the plant should be 1:3, which can limit root growth and keep the plant size unchanged.
2. Remove the growing point: When new shoots grow to 2-3cm, remove the growing point, which can promote new branches and leaves on the stems, control vine growth, make the branches and leaves grow horizontally, and keep the plant shape continuously full.
3. Use the asparagus fern's phototropism: Turn the pot direction at the right time to correct the growth shape of the branches and leaves and keep the plant shape unchanged.
4. Physical obstruction method: Use stiff paper to press down on the branches and leaves or block the sunlight, so that when the branches and leaves grow they bend or change direction upon meeting the obstruction, thereby achieving the purpose of shaping.