Water Cress

[carolann]

My SIL came up today and fetched some Water Cress seedlng in a Mushroom basket. I have never grown this before and neither has she. We have put the basket into a running stream of spring water and placed a wire frame over the top, here are a couple of pic's.



Has anyone grown Water Cress before? And have we planted it right? Thanks for any help on this.

[Tig]

Wonderful Carol!! You may be a 'warrior woman' on this quest

I hope you succeed - I love water cress sarnies, you could have a commercial venture going here .. fresh water-cress by post

x Tig

[4pygmies]

Ooh, you lucky thing! I don't know anything about growing it but I don't see why it wouldn't like what you've done. I don't see any reason why you couldn't root up bought watercress in a jamjar and plant it there even....it just needs gently flowing water as far as I know....how interesting! It's a cleaning waterplant anyway isn't it? I hope it grows well, Carolann!

[oldmoleskins]

Deeply envious and interested CA, would love to have the streamyness to try that in, but the only place I can think of within 5 miles is deeply private... not noted for running water, Norfolk.

OM.

[carolann]

I have been looking on the net and you dont need running water, on one site someone had planted it in a pot and put the pot in a bowl of water which they changed everyday, only problem was that the leaves where smaller. I have just been and had a look and I'm sure its grown since yesterday . The wire mesh is to stop the horses standing on it, I dont think they will eat it (she says fingers crossed) as it tastes of strong pepper or so I'm told. I will let you all no how it gets on.

[Barbara]

The grandkids grew watercress at school a few years ago, they just stood it in clean fresh water, then they wouldn't eat it, because it was toooo peppery, I of course loved it

good luck Carolann

[flowersfriend]

Hi Carolann;
I am so pleased I have seen this thread. i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/smiley.gif ... I love

water cress i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/tongue.gif

I was talking to a gardening friend this weekend and she has

been growing it for the past couple of years.

I did'nt know you could grow it at home. She says she plants and

grows it like any other veg and just cuts and comes again when

she harvest it! I could'nt believe it..... so I said I will try to get

some seeds and have a go.

Good luck Carolann your way seems very natural it will be

interesting to see how you go on.

[4pygmies]

All this is very interesting......T&M say you can grow it in a container with no problems.......

www.thompson-morgan.com/seeds1/product/992/2.html

I think I was getting confused with how the farmers used to grow it - I once met a bloke who grew it years ago - he had it planted in streams on his farm and harvested it by the bucket load to sell in his farm shop.... Maybe the running water thing was to keep it clean from contaminants in the days when they used lots of nasties on their crops....?

[Tig]

Hehehe - guess what I am going to try and grow in a container? I got some from the supermarket today and will get it rooting in water - thanks for all the info

x Tig

[4pygmies]

Me too........ ;D

[carolann]

Good luck girls, it will be interesting to see just which way it grows best, compost or water.
PS. pic's please. ;D

[4pygmies]

Well. I've just got my watercress from Waitrose (you get a better class of watercress from there... ) and I've put some in a hyacinth bulb jar......easier to hang it over the edge I've found..

[Tig]

Good one 4P, I'll take mine out of the mug where they have repeatedly fell in/out and stick them in one of those.

[4pygmies]

My watercress looks more than half dead after a night in water......... I dunno if they'll root now......I might have to buy seeds after all.....

[carolann]

Dont give up just yet 4P you never no one or two may just root from the bunch and then it will be away and you will be saving money. I didnt get to go see how mine was doing yesterday but its fine today so I shall be going to have a look.

[4pygmies]

My OH loves watercress.......there may not be many left from the bunch to put in water soon.... ;D

[Tig]

4P some of mine looked a bit sad next morning, so I nipped all the ends of the stalks off (which I hadn't bothered to do before sticking them in the mug of water) and this morning they look a lot perkier.

I did manage to find three shoots in the bag which already had tiny white roots on, they are pumped up and raring to go.

x Tig

[carolann]

Well I have been and had a look at the WC this morning and its still there and not trampled by the horses yet?? Nothing much has happened to it but it has been colder and the wind is ripping down the valley, hopefully it will be going over the top of it. Forgot to mention the little stream runs in between the Apple trees so the WC should have lots of shade but still get some dappled sun. How is everyone else getting on?

[Tig]

Mine is still with feet in water, but looking perky at the moment. I must find a suitable pot, and thought I might add some water retaining crystals to the compost.

I would like plenty of roots before I plant them though.

x Tig

[flowersfriend]

I found some seeds in Wilco of all places i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/wink.gif

I have planted them as described on the package..... just as I have other cut and come again lettuce etc.

I will keep them well watered and see what happens.

Looking forward to some yummy watercress i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd161/GWDAdmin1/Smilies/Default/tongue.gif

[carolann]

Does anyone know how long it takes to grow? With all this darn wind I'm not surprised that mine is keeping a low profile ;D

[Tig]

Once it gets going I think it grows quite quick Carol.

My research has found out some more information about growing watercress in the 'wild' though, and a warning about 'liver fluke' if livestock may contaminate the water source ..

I thought I should post the link just to be on the safe side ..

www.cottagesmallholder.com/?p=264

x Tig

[carolann]

Thanks Tig, I was reading the same thread only last night and was going to post the link this morning, great minds eh! I was talking to SIL and told her about it and she dont seem that bothered about it but she is going to start some off in pots as well.

[4pygmies]

Mine is just beginning to put out roots but they all look very sad atm...I dunno whether to bother really after reading that link. It seems to be potentially quite hazardous! I have a bore hole, not mains water, and we do have a problem with nitrates here (we were advised to use bottled water when smallest was a baby, for example, when making her bottles and cooking food for her). I don't really think it would be a problem but I am slightly concerned about the growing medium used too. I always use peat free organic compost but I'm not sure it's beefy enough for watercress. It all seems a bit of a palaver.......just for a bit of salad leaf! I shall have to do some more research I think...

[Tig]

Mine have grown decent roots ...



So they are now in a pot, sitting in a bowl of tap water soaking their feet



I hope to get enough for a sarnie from time to time

x Tig

[carolann]

Well dont there Tig looking very good indeed. Just think of the money you will save by growing it yourself.

[Tig]

Only if it grows Carol

I shall be honest and monitor its progress ...

[Tig]

OK - update ...

I have had to nip out the tops because buds were forming, but on the whole I am delighted with progress so far



x Tig

[Barbara]

That certainly looks OK, cress and egg takes me back to picnics when my lot were little, I planted Basil, and Parsley on Mothering Sunday,( it was a pressie) and they are growing along nicely too.

[carolann]

Looking very good there Tig mine has not done anything, its not died but its not grown either maybe tomorrow I shall put the tub in a bowl of water in the GH or behind where its may be a little more sheltered.