Water Hyacinth - Overwintering in containers

Question
QUESTION: I have a Water Hyacinth that I'd like to bring indoors for the winter to keep it from freezing. I've done a little research and found that a water hyacinth will survive quite well in a container of water, as long as it has enough nutrients. I feed it every few weeks with liquid plant food.

My question is this:  What kind of container can I use?  I have a HUGE metal pot/pressure cooker that my mother used when she canned jelly and vegetables.  Is it okay to use a metal container, or will that kill the plant?

Janie

ANSWER: A 5 gallon bucket for every two hyacinths should provide adequate space.

You won't hurt anything by using a metal container.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks for your quick answer to my question about Water Hyacinths.  I have a follow-up question:

When I took a few of the Water Hyacinths out of their original container, I found some dirt and mud around their roots and in the bottom of the container.

However, when I originally researched overwintering Water Hyacinths, I read that they only need about three inches of water in a bowl to survive. (I feel sure this was a slight exaggeration.)

As you advised, I placed two hyacinths each in 5-gallon buckets containing a little liquid plant food and water (more than three inches, of course), which I'd left outside for 24 hours to evaporate any chlorine. However, they don't seem to be doing very well.

Should I put some sort of potting medium or dirt around the roots of the hyacinths? If so, what is the best way to do that? I'd hate for them to die out completely due to my ignorance. They've been so pretty all summer.

Thanks for your help!

Janie  

Answer
Chlorine doesn't evaporate anymore.  This is a little different in every region, but most municipalities are using chloramine now instead of chlorine.  It is a strong chlorine/ammonia bond and you need to use a sulfur salt to actually break the bond from ammonia so it can evaporate.  This may be why the plants appear to be getting weaker.

Sometimes a breeze will help, as plants don't like completely still air.  A very small pump to circulate the water in the buckets may also help.  I advise against using any sort of potting medium; they don't need it.  Keep in mind that just in case you lose them, they are native to Central and South America and they really prefer tropical temperatures for optimal growth.