Hydroponic Methods for Bamboo Palm (Fernleaf Hedge Bamboo) and Causes and Prevention of Yellowing Leaves
Bamboo palm (fernleaf hedge bamboo) can adapt to relatively humid environments, so it is often grown at home hydroponically, which is not only more attractive but also convenient to care for. However, many people are not very familiar with its hydroponic methods, which leads to the phenomenon of yellowing leaves in bamboo palm. So what are the hydroponic methods for bamboo palm? Why do the leaves turn yellow? How can this be prevented? Let me tell you the answers.
I. What are the hydroponic methods for bamboo palm?
1. Remove the leaves
It will not do to put it in the bottle without removing the leaves. But how many leaves should be stripped off to be appropriate? This mainly depends on the size of the bottle; there must be no leaves below the mouth of the bottle. Note that you cannot cut them off directly with scissors; you should pull off all the leaves on the stem until individual bamboo nodes are exposed. It is enough when the slightly yellow stem below the bamboo node can be seen. In this way, the water is less likely to become smelly. After completing this step, cut the root end at a slant so it can easily absorb water.
2. Water techniques
For water, you can choose purified water or tap water. If you use purified water to grow it, the bamboo can stay emerald green even without adding nutrient solution; if you use tap water, it needs to be left to stand for one or two days before use. Before bamboo palm has grown roots, the water needs to be changed about twice a week; you cannot change the water every day. There is also one point to note: once the roots have grown out, there is no need to change the water; instead, you should add water in a timely manner. When you feel the water has become cloudy, you can change it, in the morning and toward evening, when the temperature difference is smaller and it will not harm the roots.
3. Water depth control
The water depth should also be controlled according to the size of the bottle, roughly between half and three-fifths of the bottle. If it is hard to determine, it is recommended to use a transparent vase. A transparent vase is best shaded from light, which helps rooting. After roots have emerged, move it to the balcony to get more sunlight and change the water once a month.
4. Placement location
Bamboo palm cannot be placed where air-conditioner wind drifts past, as its leaves will easily turn yellow. Bamboo palm can be placed in a spot with bright scattered light or weak light; it is recommended not to grow it hydroponically in a dark place. Also note one point: right after it has been placed, do not immediately change its direction, and do not move it back and forth; after one day it will be fine.
5. Growth temperature
Ensuring the temperature for normal growth of bamboo palm is very important. The root system of bamboo palm grows well within the range of 15°C-30°C. In winter, it is best to keep it above 10°C; below 5°C it is prone to cold damage. That is to say, in winter the temperature needs to be kept above 5°C to ensure that most plants overwinter safely.
6. Adding nutrient solution
Please note that excessive nutrient solution is strictly prohibited, and shortening the interval between additions of nutrient solution is strictly prohibited. Generally, add it once every 10-30 days. In spring and autumn, when plants have strong growth demands, generally add it once every 10-15 days or so. In winter, most plants are in a dormant period, so generally add it once every 20-30 days. When adding it, you can pour out all the water or not, depending on how cloudy the water is. Generally speaking, replacing all of it can increase the dissolved oxygen content of the water, which is beneficial to the growth of hydroponic bamboo palm.
II. What causes yellowing leaves in hydroponic bamboo palm?
1. Water level too high. If the leaves of bamboo palm are dull and lack luster, and the branches are thin and yellowing, it indicates that the water level is too high, causing poor root respiration. You need to reduce the amount of water, keep the water level at about half of the container, and ensure that at least half of the root system of bamboo palm is exposed above the water surface.
2. Light too strong. Similar to light-related care in soil cultivation, hydroponic bamboo palm also cannot be managed in sunlight, otherwise it will be scorched by exposure to the sun. Therefore, it should be placed in a cool place for care and management.
3. Insufficient fertilizer. In hydroponics, nutrient solution generally needs to be added. If you only change the water without adding nutrient solution for a long time, it may cause nutritional deficiency, thereby making the leaves thin and yellow. So after each water change, an appropriate amount of nutrient solution should be added.
4. Temperature too low. As we mentioned earlier, bamboo palm is a relatively cold-sensitive plant. Although room temperature is relatively easy to control during hydroponics, you should try to ensure the room temperature is above 10 degrees. If it is below 4 degrees, it is easy to cause the plant to suffer cold damage.
5. Sudden environmental changes. If the temperature and humidity of the environment suddenly change greatly, it can also easily cause bamboo palm leaves to turn yellow. Therefore, move bamboo palm as little as possible and keep it in a relatively stable and suitable environment, which is beneficial to its growth.
III. How to prevent bamboo palm leaves from turning yellow?
For potted bamboo palm, in summer it should be moved to a cool place outdoors, and attention should be paid to watering more to keep the potting soil moist. You should also spray water on the leaf surface and sprinkle water on the ground to keep the air humid, so that the branches and leaves of bamboo palm can remain green. Dry hot wind in summer will cause the leaves of bamboo palm to scorch. It must be cooled appropriately to prevent stuffiness. In winter, bamboo palm needs to be placed indoors, with water controlled and fertilization stopped, and the indoor temperature needs to be kept above 10°C.
During the growth period, apply liquid fertilizer once about every 20 days. The liquid fertilizer can be decomposed dilute soybean cake water, or a compound liquid fertilizer. Fertilization should be stopped in winter. Bamboo palm does not need to be repotted every year; generally repot once every 2 years. The potting culture soil is made by mixing 1 part leaf mold soil, 0.5 part garden soil, and a small amount of river sand and rice husk ash, etc. In high-temperature seasons, bamboo palm should be moved to a cool place to avoid exposure to the scorching sun, and water should be sprayed on the leaves of bamboo palm to keep the leaf color emerald green.