Hydroponics

martin longhurst

Hi All,
I'm considering buying a hydroponics kit in order to produce more plants from cuttings. Do any of you have good/bad experiences? I plan to produce plants like Dahlias, Hostas, Heucheras and Lavenders mainly

Posy

I knew someone who did very well with cannabis: now a guest of her Majesty. You don't need hydroponics for the plants you name.

martin longhurst

I know I don't 'need' as such but I've read about greater success rates using hydroponics so I wondered if anybody has noticed a difference in success rates

Dovefromabove

Unless you’re producing on an industrial scale there’s absolutely no need for a hydroponics set up for cuttings. I get a success rate of around 75% with most cuttings.  Probably more with dahlias when I grew them.
Hostas are propagated by splitting, not by cuttings. 
Lavender cuttings do best in a dryish gritty medium so I don’t think that hydroponics would be an advantage. 

martin longhurst

I already spilt Hostas but did any of you see the guy on GW who was using leaves with a hydro kit, his success seemed phenomenal without having to split the original plant. It was during this years programmes from what I remember. I've decided to take the plunge as I've been offered a cheap kit that somebody no longer needs. I shall feedback next year on success rates 

Dovefromabove

You’ll need a pretty good growing-on set up for those hostas 
Looking forward to hearing how you get on. 

Fairygirl

I can't see any advantage with Heucheras either. You pull bits off and stick them in a pot and they just grow.
I'd agree about the lavender too - they prefer dry conditions, so I'd think it would be a drawback using hydroponics. 

shooter007

Try greenhouse sensations I use them they have some good stuff and are in Lancashire 

martin longhurst

I've just removed the 40 hosta cuttings I put into the hydropod. I can happily announce a 100% rooting rate. Happy days

martin longhurst

Paul B3

Well done on the Hostas !

Years ago I worked at a specialist cactus nursery where we used to grow plants from seed using the hydroponic method .

The greatly reduced risk of soil-borne bacterial/fungal infection was vastly important whilst dealing with some exceptionally rare species .

• Edit (1 hour)

Good luck with your hydroponic kit !