How to Grow Chives Hydroponically? Latest Cultivation Techniques and Method Tutorial
Many vegetables can be grown hydroponically, and hydroponics has quite a few advantages: reducing pests and diseases, saving space, and saving growing time are all benefits of hydroponics. Chives grown in soil are often harmed by chive maggots, which commonly cause damage in the field, laying eggs at the base of the chives that hatch and continue to cause damage. But hydroponics can solve exactly this problem. So how are chives cultivated hydroponically, and how is it done? Let's take a look at the hydroponic details.
1. Seed Sowing Preparation
Prepare clean, washed vermiculite, then soak it in a chemical solution; after rinsing it clean, soak it for one day before use. Soak the seeds in hot water at around 40 degrees, stirring while soaking to avoid scalding; the water temperature will gradually drop, and after it drops, continue soaking the seeds for one day. Remove and rinse them, and after draining, wrap them in moist gauze and germinate at around 18 degrees, rinsing off the mucus once a day; after a few days they will show white sprouts.
2. Sowing Method
Cover the seedling tray with damp straw paper, covering every cell, but it must fit snugly against the tray, then sow two seeds per cell. Cover again with straw paper, and do not let the seeds be exposed outside. Finally, place vermiculite on the straw paper and spread it evenly; this way it can retain moisture and also retain heat, forming a unique environment, so the seeds will break through the straw paper and grow out; the straw paper does not tear easily, but the seeds can pass through.
2. Post-Sowing Management
The seeds need to maintain about 60% to 70% moisture; river sand has decent water retention, but not as good as soil, so you can water and spray more frequently. Do not wait until it is too dry to water. Keep the temperature at around 20 degrees, and it must not exceed 25 degrees; exceeding that will affect germination, and the germination rate will drop. Especially above 30 degrees, they may not germinate successfully. After sowing, you can cover the surface with straw paper to retain heat and moisture, and place the seedling tray in a greenhouse for management.
3. Transplanting and Setting Out
Use a special fixing tray designed for chives, take out the seedlings, wash the river sand off the roots clean, then fix them onto the planting tray, and fill the nutrient trough with the prepared nutrient solution. Install nutrient solution return equipment to prevent the nutrient solution from sitting too long, which can cause oxygen deficiency and root rot. A circulation system is essential. The nutrient solution must have a disinfection treatment system.
Hydroponic chives mainly have a rather unique seedling-raising method, which is what ensures good seed germination. Temperature is very important in both sowing and cultivation management; suitable temperature and moisture promote the growth of chives.