Watercress- "ive got a great idea"- maybe

[return of the mac]

Ok ive just discovered a profound liking for watercress and would like to grow some on my lottie, but the water part is a problem, so heres my plan: dig a ditch, stick some crushed chalk in it to keep the water pure, maybe create various levels of water pools to keep water flow, and i can float punnets of watercress in it- please prod and poke my idea in case it is rubbish or needs refinement.
Thanks
John

[return of the mac]

[terrace max]

I'm prettttty sure you can grow watercress in pots in a shady place....

[undercarriage plan]

I grow it in my pond! And it over wintered too, last season I mean, though there was a vague concern voiced about liver flute, or something....mm.....can't remember, but I'm fine....no...I am!  ::)

[terrace max]

Liver flute!!! Sounds vaguely anatomical... Fluke is the word - nasty business too, but mainly introduced by cattle I believe...

Have you tried land cress or winter cress ROTM?

[Melbourne12]

There was something on "Gardeners Question Time" recently about growing watercress.  You don't need a huge flow of water, so I think your idea is parctical.  They suggested not floating the watercress in punnets, but planting it on shallow "shelves" in the watercourse.

Although it would be expensive to set up, you could install a small solar powered pump to keep the water circulating.  In fact you might be able to use "solar fountains" to maintain an adequate flow.  They're pretty cheap. I guess that you would need to line the trench with pond liner material, otherwise your water will simply disappear.

I think this is a rather an excellent project. Best of luck if you go ahead.  ;D

[undercarriage plan]

OK, OK liver fluke .... so picky.. ::)

[Melbourne12]

I found this

http://www.growingedge.com/community/archive/read.php3?c=GH&q=1005

more than any reasonable person needs to know about watercress  :o

[undercarriage plan]

I just bunged it in the pond, on a whim really, and it grew, surely you don't no loads f equipment? Or was I just lucky? ???

[tim]

?

[undercarriage plan]

 ;D ;D ;D

[Melbourne12]

?

Is that in a greenhouse?  They look super plants, I must say.

[return of the mac]

Thanks all, i will try it next year and let you know how i get on

[weedin project]

Tim's idea is a good one - I tried it with just one pot of watercress in the greenhouse last spring, kept the pot very damp by standing it in a tray that kept I topped up regularly. 
Excellent flavour but very aphid-friendly - a bit like having a nasturtium on steriods :-\!

[jennym]

Must have a go at that - Tim that looks so appetising, love watercress, never tried to grow it though.

[undercarriage plan]

Sorry to be late....lost the pic... ::) the bung and hope method.. :)

[Derekthefox]

I am tempted too, I just need to find a watertight tray ...

[tim]

Cold house - yes.

Lottie - is that a frog lying in wait?

[undercarriage plan]

Hope not Tim... poor little blighter should be asleep! I only took this a few days ago... the cress has survived all frosts so far, though may not appreciate the blanket of snow it's now under..

[redimp]

As you have eaten some of your Lottie and you are not dead, I might put some in the pond I haven't got.

[undercarriage plan]

I'll check...... nope definitely alive!! And what a great idea, a fantasy pond.....wish I'd thought of that.. ::) ;)