The holidays are over and the cold temperatures are forcing me away from the garden, so it's time to focus on what's green inside.
In addition to researching plants to plant next spring, as well as researching plants for the Rochester OPC demonstration garden I manage, I have decided to do some indoor water gardening. Even though it's called hydroponic gardening, I don't need to buy any special equipment; Well, maybe a few trips to the grocery store to find the right container, like a clear glass bowl. Honestly, anything that holds a pitcher or water that fits my decor.
Although growing plants in water requires little maintenance, the water should be changed every two weeks. Plants that do well in a water garden include lucky bamboo, English ivy, peace lily, and pothos.
I started with cuts so it wasn't a big deal. Search the Internet for plants that do well in water from cuttings to get your ideas.
Algae grows on glass and ceramic even if you can't see it. However, an easy way to dispose of containers is to remove the plants and discard the old water. Florists can use toothed tablets such as Efferdent, especially in containers with narrow necks. The vase is filled with warm water, the dentin tablets are thrown in, pressed if necessary and left for about 10 minutes. Then drain the container and rinse with warm water.
Your grandmother probably used white vinegar and salt to clean her crystals and glass. Mix a teaspoon of warm water in a bowl and let it sit for about 10 minutes. You can also add baking soda to the mix.
If the bowl has a narrow neck and the glass is clean, mixing in stale (not instant) rice will help remove clumping.
Water may or may not be a problem. Tap water from the city is not recommended, especially in winter. Leave overnight to allow the chlorine and fluoride to evaporate. Filtered water is even better. Some people prefer distilled water. There is no hard and fast rule for this as water quality can vary from house to house, neighborhood to neighborhood and city to city. You may want to test your water if you are considering watering your garden.
Quick Tip: If you have cats and are concerned about growing green vegetables that are toxic to cats, here is a link from the SPCA list of which plants are toxic to cats and which are good to grow - https:/ /www.aspca. org /animalien-zaintza /animalien-pozoia-kontrola/catuak - list of plants
It's all about placing your plants on a shelf or wall if you decide to grow plants that are poisonous to animals.
Nancy Serlag is a gardener and freelance writer based in Metro Detroit. The column appears in Homestyle on Friday. To ask a question, visit Yardener.com and click Ask Nancy. You can also read the previous column at detroitnews.com/homestyle.
