– Why is it so easy to overwater a plant, but sticking the roots directly underwater is how you propagate it?

Question

Title. It’s just funny to me how cautious I am not to overwater my plants when in soil. But if I cut a piece of a plant and stick it in 100% water it thrives. Wouldn’t the roots being literally underwater be “overwatered” as well?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Oxygen is pumped into the water in a hydroponic system so that the roots can get the oxygen needed. If you just sat the roots in water without doing this the plant would die.