Soilless Cultivation Methods and Technical Points for Aquatic Vegetables

AbstractThe aquatic vegetables suitable for indoor soilless cultivation include lettuce, celery, cilantro, bok choy, baby bok choy, water spinach, etc. For soilless cultivation, waste plastic boxes can be used as growing pots, then about 1 jin of ceramic gravel and about 1.5 kg of perlite are added; then the seeds are soaked in 32°C warm water for about 6 hours, and holes are dug in the substrate; finally, the seeds are sown along the small furrows. During the vegetable growth process, diluted nutrient solution should be applied once every 2 days, and water should be applied 2 times a day.

I. Selecting Vegetable Varieties

1. Fruit and vegetable types suitable for indoor soilless cultivation mainly include strawberry, cherry, cucumber, bitter melon, tomato, radish, etc., while leafy vegetable types mainly include lettuce, celery, cilantro, bok choy, baby bok choy, water spinach, etc.

2. The maturity cycles of soilless-cultivated vegetables also differ somewhat; fruit and vegetable types take about 3-5 months, while leafy vegetable types take about 2-3 months. Generally, the temperature for fruit and vegetable types needs to be maintained at about 10-25°C.

3. Soilless cultivation of vegetables requires ensuring sufficient light throughout the day. Generally, leafy vegetable types have relatively lower temperature requirements, so they are very suitable for indoor cultivation. Generally, vegetable seeds are sold in local farmers' markets.

II. Preparing Growing Pots

1. Unused plastic flower pots and foam plastic boxes can be used as growing pots, but they need holes at the bottom and a tray. Note that clay pots must not be used. Then add 1 jin of ceramic gravel and about 1.5 kg of perlite; these are generally available in building materials stores.

2. Alternatively, vermiculite, peat, or rock wool can also be used. In addition, concentrated nutrient solution is divided into No. 1 and No. 2 types, which must be diluted before use.

III. Soaking Seeds and Sowing

1. Select high-quality, robust seeds, soak the seeds in 32°C warm water for about 6 hours, then soak the ceramic gravel and perlite in clean water for later use.

2. Then fill a plastic cup with the soaked substrate and dig holes. For fruit and vegetable types, sow 2 seeds per hole; for leafy vegetable types, dig furrows and sow along the small furrows, then cover with substrate and press gently, and finally cover with plastic film and wait for seedlings to emerge.

IV. Later Management

1. After the seedlings emerge, apply diluted nutrient solution 1-2 times a day, watering until liquid seeps out inside the tray. When the seedlings grow 2 leaves, thinning should be carried out, leaving on average only 1 seedling per hole; excess seedlings can be pulled out.

2. Later, when the seedlings grow to about 4 true leaves, the seedlings should be repotted. Generally, first spread a layer of soaked ceramic gravel at the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage, then spread a small amount of perlite, then transplant the seedlings together with the substrate into the larger pot, and spread a layer of ceramic gravel on top of the perlite.

3. After transplanting, apply diluted nutrient solution to the seedlings. The first time, water thoroughly, until water seeps out of the growing tray. Generally, leafy vegetable types should be given diluted nutrient solution once every 2 days and watered 2 times a day; fruit and vegetable types should be given diluted nutrient solution 2 times a day.