How to grow Aspidistra elatior in water? A detailed guide to the latest care methods
Aspidistra elatior is also known as spider's egg, large-leaf evergreen, bamboo-node muscle-stretcher, etc. It is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Aspidistra in the Liliaceae family. It has the effect of absorbing formaldehyde, and also has a certain absorption effect on carbon dioxide and hydrogen fluoride, and can also absorb a certain amount of dust. Now let us take a look at how to grow hydroponic Aspidistra elatior properly!
Growth habits of Aspidistra elatior
Aspidistra elatior is native to the southern provinces and regions of China, and is now cultivated throughout China. It is widely used, evergreen in all seasons, elegant in plant form, and has small and lovely flowers, making it very popular among people. It likes warm and humid conditions and a semi-shaded environment, is relatively cold-tolerant, and extremely shade-tolerant. The suitable growth temperature is 10-25°C, while the temperature range in which it can grow is 7-30°C, and the overwintering temperature is 0-3°C.
Division propagation of Aspidistra elatior
1. Division time: Aspidistra elatior is very suitable for home cultivation. When growing Aspidistra elatior at home, division can be used for propagation. Division propagation of Aspidistra elatior can be carried out in spring when the temperature rises and before new buds have sprouted, in combination with repotting. Generally, it is carried out in early spring (February and March) after the soil thaws.
2. Division method: Take the mother plant out of the flower pot, shake off excess potting soil, separate the tangled root system as much as possible, and cut it open into two or more plants with a sharp knife. Each divided plant must have a considerable root system, and its leaves should be properly pruned so that each clump has 3—5 leaves, which helps survival.
How to grow hydroponic Aspidistra elatior?
1. Choose containers: According to the specific conditions of the Aspidistra elatior variety, form, specification, and flower color, choose substitute bottles, pots, vats, and other containers that can complement and bring out the best in the Aspidistra elatior plant variety. Buy or make them yourself according to the principles of choosing hydroponic containers, so that they are appropriate to use and elegant to look at. Never just grab whatever container is at hand and use it randomly, so as not to affect the image of hydroponic Aspidistra elatior and the beauty of indoor decoration. Achieve unity and harmony between the container, flowers, and the room environment, so as to achieve a relatively ideal ornamental effect.
2. Remove soil and wash roots: Soil cultivation is organic nutrition, but after switching to hydroponics, it is completely changed to inorganic nutrition cultivation. The organic matter in the soil and attached to the root system must be strictly cleaned off, so as not to affect the normal growth of hydroponic Aspidistra elatior and the invasion of pests and diseases. The method of washing roots is to dig the selected flower plant out of the soil or gently pour it out of the flower pot. First use the right hand to gently lift the stems, and the left hand to gently support the root system, then switch to the right hand to gently shake and slowly pat, so that the soil at the roots falls off and all roots are exposed. Then soak in clean water for 15-20 minutes, and gently rub and wash the roots with your hands. After 2-3 changes of water and washing, until the roots are completely free of soil and the water used for washing roots is clear and transparent without mud or sand, it is considered washed clean. Not a bit of soil must remain. This is one of the important steps for successful hydroponics and must not be neglected.
3. Cut off old roots: After the Aspidistra elatior has been washed clean of soil, depending on the root growth of the plant, appropriately cut off old roots, diseased roots, and old yellow leaves, because the roots of hydroponic Aspidistra elatior are also an important part of the ornamental value. Therefore, when organizing the root system, its beauty of form should also be considered. After pruning its roots and leaves, rinse it again in clean water to wash away the residual root hairs left from cutting, so as not to bring them into the hydroponic container and cause contamination.
4. Root disinfection: After the root system of Aspidistra elatior has been washed clean, prepare a 0.1% potassium permanganate aqueous solution and place it in a plastic or enamel basin. The amount of solution can be determined by how many Aspidistra elatior plants are to be soaked. Several or more Aspidistra elatior plants can be soaked at one time, with the standard being to submerge all roots. After soaking for 10-15 minutes, take the Aspidistra elatior out of the solution, rinse it again in clean water, and then plant it. Note that the root disinfection time must not be too long or too short, and the potassium permanganate solution must not be too concentrated or too dilute. Apart from using a balance to measure it, the appropriate ratio is mainly determined by experience and by looking at the color of the solution (showing light purplish red).
5. Scientific planting: If using a glass vase, because glass is relatively thick and has a certain weight, you can straighten the root system of Aspidistra elatior and carefully place it into the vase. To keep Aspidistra elatior upright and prevent it from falling over, fix it around the mouth of the vase with stones or pebbles, then pour water into 2/3 of the vase body, taking care to spread out the root system. If using a plastic vase, because the material is very light, even with water it is difficult to support the Aspidistra elatior plant, causing it to be top-heavy and fall over. Therefore, for this kind of container, before planting, you can first put a certain amount of stone granules into the vase to increase the weight of the vase, and then plant the Aspidistra elatior into the vase as before. If using various other flower pots without drainage holes or round and rectangular fish tanks to plant hydroponic flowers, then the issue of fixing the roots in the water must be considered.