How to Move a Plant From Soil to Hydro

When you visit your local garden center, the plants are all in small containers filled with soil. You can then slide the plants out, root ball and soil together, and plant them directly into your garden. But what if you have a hydroponic garden, in which you grow your plants in nutrient-rich water? You can transfer a plant rooted in soil to a hydroponic environment, and the plant should thrive.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bucket
• Pot or container
• Watering can
• Net pot
• Clay pellets or medium of choice
• Hydroponic system

1. Fill a bucket and a watering can with tepid water. Have a planter or other container nearby for the soil. The soil is still good; you can use it for your soil garden, in compost or on your lawn. Water the plant so the soil is damp, but not soaked.

2. 
    

   Remove the plant from the container, keeping the root ball intact. Gently grasp the stems of the plant close to the surface of the soil and massage the bottom of the root ball over the container for the soil.

3. Rub the sides of the root ball when you see the roots coming free at the bottom. Continue to massage the root ball from the sides and bottom until the soil breaks apart from the roots.

4. 
    

   Use your fingertips to break the soil apart from the middle outward as you reach the top of the soil. Gently shake the plant to remove loose clumps.

5. 
    

   Immerse the roots into the bucket of water. While holding the stem of the plant, massage the roots underwater with your other hand, gently pulling the remaining clumps of soil away from the roots. Do this carefully so as not to tear the roots.

6. 
    

   Hold the plant over the bucket and pour water over it from the watering can. Continue to pull the soil away from the roots. Do not expect to get every bit of dirt off the roots, but clean them as close to the stem as possible.

7. 
    

   Place the plant into a net pot. Allow the roots to spread across the bottom of the net pot; do not pull the roots through the openings. This allows the plant to develop a new root ball for added stability within the net pot.

8. 
    

   Add your medium of choice to stabilize the plant in the net pot. This can be gravel, rock wool or clay pellets. Fill the net pot until the roots are completely covered and the plant can stand on its own.

9. Place the net pot into your hydroponics system. This could be a lettuce raft, a Dutch bucket or an ebb and flow system. Add any other stabilizing medium if necessary to support the net pot.

10. Adjust the water feeds if necessary so they flow directly into the net pot and over the medium. This ensures the roots will remain sufficiently hydrated.

Tips & Warnings

• The younger the plant, the easier it is to move it from soil to hydroponics.

References

• Shelly McRae, hydroponic gardener