Transplant Garden — Rare and Curious Plants

 In my experience, growing Sceletium Tortuosum (Kanna) hydroponically is the easiest and fastest way to grow Kanna. It takes very little effort: you only need to make sure your system has water and nutrients. I will be talking about how I use my Aerogarden (Bounty Model) as that is what I have experience with. I’m sure the principles will apply if you’re using different equipment.

I am not sponsored, paid by, nor have I ever received free products from Aerogarden or any other business. I use the products featured in this article because they are what I have, and I like using them.

The basic idea of a hydroponic unit like an aerogarden is that you can have a small space that contains all the needed ingredients for plant growth. Lights, nutrients, and water. The machine has a light deck above the plants, circulates water through the roots of your plants, and all you have to do is keep the water tank full and add nutrients every so often. 

Your plants don’t need to search for water or nutrients, instead they are all constantly available for use. 

Growing Kanna hydroponically

Take a kanna cutting, dip it in rooting hormone, and wait overnight for the cutting to callus. (This article touches on how to tell if your plant is ready to be cut.)

Most commercial tabletop units like an aerogarden use sponges in plastic cages to hold plants in place.

Place your plastic cage and sponge in your hydroponic unit. I recommend doing this when you take your cutting. It is easier to insert the cutting when the sponge is hydrated.

Once your cutting has sat for a day or so, insert it into the sponge indent. I try to put the cutting in as far as it will go easily. Don’t try to cram leaves into the hole, but don’t just barely place your cutting in. You want the plant to be secure in it new home.

Once your plant is in place in the machine, there isn’t a whole lot to do. Your cutting will soon put out roots and start to grow prolifically. 

Water and Nutrients:

Pour one capful of fertilizer into your unit when the reminder light goes off. Or every two weeks of your unit does not have a reminder feature.

Lessons Learned in Growing Kanna Hydroponically

For most plants, Aerogarden recommends two capfuls of nutrients every two weeks. Kanna can’t handle that amount of nutritional balance. Go with half of the recommended dosage. 

Once every 6 months, skip a feeding. This should allow your plants to clear any build up of nutrients. 

Keep an eye out for nutrient burn:

Make sure your plants aren’t touching the lights of your unit. That will damage both the plants and the unit’s LEDs

You can grow seeds hydroponically, but it will be a struggle.

All in all, I love growing Kanna this way in addition to growing in soil. It’s nice to have these hydroponic specimens as a back up to my normal stock. I just love seeing what this plant can handle!

If you have any questions or if I missed something you’re interested in, just leave me a comment!