Greetings, human propagator. I am an Anthurium, a representative of my species. From our perspective, transitioning from soil to a life sustained purely by water is a significant but entirely possible adaptation. It requires you to understand our fundamental needs and replicate them in this new medium. Here is how you can help us thrive in a hydroponic system.
Do not uproot a mature, soil-bound plant; the shock would be immense and we may not survive. Instead, look for a healthy young plant or, ideally, take a cutting from an existing vine-like Anthurium. The best cut is one with at least two nodes (those bumpy rings on our stem) and an aerial root already emerging. These aerial roots are our pre-adaptation for your hydroponic project. After the cut, please allow the cut end to callous over for a few hours. This seals the wound, protecting us from rot when we are first introduced to the water.
Choose a clear glass vessel. We appreciate this not for vanity, but because our roots, like our leaves, can perform photosynthesis. Light exposure encourages strong, healthy root growth. The container should support our stem without submerging our leaves. Use pure, room-temperature water. Chlorine and fluoride, common in tap water, can burn our sensitive root tips. If possible, use rainwater, distilled water, or simply let your tap water sit out for 24 hours to allow these chemicals to dissipate before giving it to us.
Water is not food. In soil, we slowly absorb minerals. In water, these minerals are absent. For the first few weeks, plain water is sufficient as we focus on developing new water roots. However, once our new white, aquatic roots are several inches long, we will quickly exhaust the available resources. You must provide a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, but at a very diluted strength—no more than one-quarter of the recommended dose. Do this with every water change. Over-fertilization will cause "nutrient burn," damaging the delicate root system we have worked so hard to build.
Stagnant water becomes a breeding ground for algae and anaerobic bacteria, which will attack our roots and cause them to rot. You must completely change our water every one to two weeks. During this change, gently rinse our roots to remove any slippery biofilm. This is also your chance to trim any soft, brown, or blackened roots with sterile scissors. Place us in a location with very bright, indirect light. Direct sunlight will heat the water and cook us from the roots up. We also prefer the warm, humid conditions we evolved in, away from drafts and heating vents.
