A Detailed Guide to the Planting Methods and Key Technical Points for Myriophyllum
Myriophyllum is suitable for indoor water greening and is a good material for decorating glass containers. When cultivated in aquariums, it is often used as a mid-ground or background plant. Let's take a look at the planting methods for myriophyllum.
1. Propagation methods
1. Cuttings: Myriophyllum can be propagated by cuttings during the growing season. Cut healthy stem sections with 2-3 nodes, generally 5-8 cm long. Slightly trim the whorled leaves on the lower nodes of the stem section, then insert it into the substrate to a depth of about half its length. Post-insertion management mainly involves controlling temperature and humidity well, keeping the cutting bed moist and the air humid. The room temperature should preferably be 20-25°C, and after 2 weeks it can be potted or transplanted. Myriophyllum does not have high requirements for cutting substrate. Besides the most common garden soil, other substrates can also be used, such as commonly used solid substrates like peat soil, perlite, and sand. In production, clean water is also used as a cutting substrate, and the cutting results are also quite ideal.
2. Division: Division propagation is generally carried out in April-May when the plants are repotted. Use a sharp knife to cut the old clump into several small clumps as propagation material.
3. Tissue culture: Using myriophyllum stem sections as culture material, the myriophyllum culture material undergoes disinfection, induction culture, differentiation and proliferation, and rooting culture to rapidly propagate myriophyllum. One myriophyllum stem section can propagate tens of thousands of high-quality myriophyllum seedlings within 1 year.
2. Water tank
When decorating an aquarium indoors, gravel with a diameter of 3-5 mm should be selected as the cultivation substrate. If this condition cannot be met, coarse sand with a diameter of 1-2 mm can also be used as the cultivation substrate. Before operation, daily management should be strengthened to ensure better growth of new plants. If myriophyllum is to be planted separately, the container used is usually a medium-sized aquarium. Note that the placement location should ensure the plants can receive the required light. First spread the cultivation substrate at the bottom of the aquarium to a thickness of 4-6 cm. Water can first be added to half the tank, and then planting can begin. After the operation is completed, add water to the cultivation container to the required height.
3. Management
Myriophyllum does not have strict requirements for water quality and can be cultivated in slightly acidic to slightly alkaline freshwater with lower hardness. Note that salinity should not be too high. It has a relatively high fertilizer demand. During the vigorous growth stage, fertilizer can be applied once a week. This plant has no obvious dormant period, so in order to ensure its rapid growth, timely fertilization is very necessary. It can also be given 2-3 hours of scattered sunlight each day. When cultivating in an environment lacking light, special fluorescent lamps can be used to provide 8-10 hours of artificial light each day, so that the plants can also grow relatively normally. Be careful not to make the light too strong, otherwise algae will spread rapidly. Under good management conditions, myriophyllum is not prone to disease and is also less susceptible to harmful animal attacks. This plant is perennial, sprouts quickly, and takes shape very fast. As the plant continues to grow taller, the leaves at the base will age. Its best ornamental period can reach 3-5 months after the seedlings are planted. Without renewing the plants, continuous cultivation should not exceed 8 months.
Myriophyllum is suitable for indoor water greening and is a good material for decorating glass containers. When cultivated in aquariums, it is often used as a mid-ground or background plant.