Experiment: Transitioning My Ficus to Passive Hydroponics

I’ve been gradually transitioning many of my plants to hydroponics this year and it was time for my variegated fiddle leaf fig to make the switch. Even though this is one of my most treasured plants, I decided to test an experimental method. Spoiler alert: it didn’t go very well!

In this post, I will show you the method I tested, as well as the proper method which I employed later on to save the day.

The experiment at a glance:

• ficus was already growing in an inorganic gritty mix

• I’ve been using inorganic gritty mixes for hydroponics with great results

• no roots were visible near the bottom of the pot or drainage holes

• why don’t I simply start leaving a layer of water in the cachepot?

Yes, you read that right. I didn’t give my ficus any sort of real transition whatsoever. I simply started pouring water into the saucer to keep the gritty mix wet at all times. This was, after all, exactly what I am doing with my other plants growing hydroponically in gritty mix. What could be the problem?

Well, the problem is that the root system of my ficus had already grown too low in the pot. Lower than I had realized. I knew this was a potential risk but I examined the drainage holes thoroughly and didn’t see any real evidence of roots. I also knew that that didn’t necessarily mean there WEREN’T roots down there, but it gave me the confidence to proceed with the experiment.

The first week went really well - two new leaves popped out! I took this as a sign that my ficus was greatly appreciating the increase in amount and consistency of moisture it now had access to. The second week brought gradual droopiness to the lower leaves and by the third week there was significant browning along the leaf margins (edges). Things were falling apart quickly!

This photo shows the leaf burn which was clearly NOT due to excess light, since it was fully eclipsed by the other leaf. This was my final clue that something was wrong.

Several chunks of roots fell away as I properly transitioned it to hydro!

What did I learn?

Give your plants a proper transition to hydroponics!!

I do feel like this COULD have worked, if only the root system of my ficus was smaller and shallower. I don’t really see how that would be any different than planting it higher in the pot. But in this case, my plant was very grumpy at suddenly having some roots submerged and so, an emergency procedure was necessary. And by emergency I mean I did it the proper way, which I have always done and will always do from now on!

Proper transition technique in brief

I’ll save the detailed version for another post but proper transition to hydroponics involves the following steps:

• unpot the plant

• remove all soil and fully “bare-root” plant

• fill new pot approx. halfway with hydroponic medium

• place plant on top and fill in and around the roots with remaining medium

• maintain water level in reservoir at around 1/3 of pot height - lower than the level of the root system

• allow time for plant roots to grown down and adapt to hydroponic growing conditions

Which hydroponic growing medium have I been using?

Inspired by the particle size of Lechuza Pon, which I’ve never seen in real life, I started using gritty mixes for hydroponics earlier this year. For larger plants, I just don’t like how lightweight and unstable leca can be. I have tested several gritty mixes so far but my current favorite is a 50/50 blend of lava and turface. All of it is screened from 1/12” - 1/4”. Over the past few months it has worked really well! My variegated ficus triangularis is bursting with new growth since being transitioned (properly) and I hope my variegated fiddle will follow suit very soon.

Quick Update: my fiddle is looking very happy and perky!

Several leaves lost, quite a bit of browning, but the upper leaves have perked up considerably! The browning has also stopped progressing due to the proper transition and a sheer curtain to filter the light.

I did lose a few leaves after this transition, but that’s completely normal after repotting a ficus. The upper leaves are looking perkier than ever and so it seems that life is good! My triangularis is still growing constantly (in the same mixture) so I am very optimistic about the future.

I’ve really been settling into the hydroponic life here as more of my collection makes the switch. It’s just so much easier in my current home. Plus, I can easily leave for a week without any issues at all. Then when I get home, I just top my plants off with my water bottle and call it good for a few more days. Seriously!

If you’ve read this far, I hope your #1 takeaway is that you should always give your plants a proper transition to hydroponics!

Wishing you all the best with your plants and with your life.

Cheers