– 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

I’m no biologist/botanist. Plants need water and a lot of water. But when you over water a plant bacteria fungi in the soil also grow. Rotting happens when things decay and things decay when bacteria eats at it.

Also roots need oxygen from water. When we put the plant underwater we often change the water to prevent algae buildup but also replenishes the oxygen in the water as well.