How to grow hydroponic plants? Latest care techniques and methods tutorial
Hydroponic plants are a method of growing plants that differs from the traditional way of growing plants in soil: instead, the nutrients the plants need are added to water, and the plants are grown in water. Hydroponic plants have better ornamental value, and now on the market there are even hydroponic plants with a few goldfish kept in them, giving an even better decorative effect. So what hydroponic plants are there, and what growing tips are there? Below, the editor will introduce them one by one.
How to tell real hydroponic plants from fake ones
Hydroponics is a developing industry in China, using bioengineering technology and physical, chemical and biological engineering methods to acclimatize ordinary plants and flowers. Because they are easy to carry and care for, cheap, clean, have healthy flowers and leaves, and can achieve a scene where fish and flowers are enjoyed together, they are loved by most people. China's market is very worrying! Because fake hydroponic techniques exist……
Hydroponic technology originated in some developed Western countries, and when hydroponic technology was introduced to China it underwent an essential change. Some merchants in China, for profit, do not go through artificial acclimatization and bioengineering methods, and directly put washed plants into water to save costs. This way the plants will not seem to die at the time, but after a few days the leaves of the hydroponic plants begin to gradually turn yellow, and finally the hydroponic plants slowly die. This is not only irresponsible to customers, but also harmful and of no benefit to the real hydroponics industry.
True hydroponics, however, is placing plants in a nutrient solution, and the nutrient solution is formulated through professional hydroponic techniques. The plants are produced through artificial acclimatization or seedling cultivation, with a survival rate as high as 95% or more, and if later professional care is added, it can be said that they are guaranteed not to die. So only hydroponic plants cultivated by people who truly know hydroponic techniques will not die. A reminder to everyone: when buying hydroponic plants, ask and look more, so you do not buy fake hydroponic plants.
Hydroponic plant care techniques
1. Choosing containers: According to the specific conditions of the flower hydroponic plant material you intend to use, such as variety, form, specifications and flower color, choose substitute bottles, pots, vats and other containers that can set off and complement that flower and tree variety. According to the principles of choosing hydroponic containers mentioned earlier, buy or process and make them yourself, so that they are appropriate to use and elegant to look at. Never just grab whatever container is at hand and use it at random, so as not to affect the image of the hydroponic flowers and the beauty of the indoor decoration. Achieve unity and harmony between the containers, flowers and the room environment, so as to achieve a relatively ideal ornamental effect.
2. Removing soil and washing roots: When soil cultivation is changed to hydroponics, the work of removing soil and washing the roots must be done well. Everyone knows that soil cultivation is organic nutrition, while after changing 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 the hydroponic flowers and the invasion of pests and diseases. Take the selected flower plant, dig it out of the soil or gently tip it out of the flower pot. First use the right hand to gently lift the branches and stems, and the left hand to gently support the root system, then switch to the right hand to gently shake, slowly pat, so that the soil at the roots falls off and all the roots are exposed. Then soak in clean water for 15-20 minutes, and use the hands to gently knead and wash the roots. After 2-3 changes of water and washing, until the roots are completely free of soil and the water used to wash the roots is clear and transparent without mud or sand, only then are they considered washed clean. But be very careful: some flower roots are hard and tangled in twisted knots, and a lot of soil is in the gaps. When necessary, use a bamboo skewer or wooden stick or screwdriver to dig it out. Not a bit of soil may remain. This is one of the important steps for successful hydroponics, and it must not be neglected.
3. Temperature: The suitable growth temperature for hydroponic plants is above 5 degrees and below 30 degrees. In other words, as long as the temperature is fairly comfortable for people, the plants will also feel fairly comfortable, and they can grow normally. Even in winter, they can have luxuriant branches and leaves, adding vigorous vitality for us.
4. Light: Mainly indirect light. What is indirect light? It is natural light coming in through windows and other places, naturally scattered indoors. Generally, plants only need appropriate brightness to grow; they do not necessarily have to be exposed to the sun, and in summer, direct sunlight should also be avoided as much as possible.
5. Nutrient solution: Generally, you can just use the special hydroponic nutrient solution sold on the market, and mix a suitable concentration according to the instructions, for example diluting 400 times or 1000 times. Do not get the ratio wrong. When preparing it, place tap water for two hours to half a day, wait until its temperature is close to room temperature and the chlorine and other substances in the water have volatilized completely, then add the concentrated nutrient solution according to the ratio, and it becomes a nutrient solution that can be used to grow hydroponic plants.
6. Changing the water: Changing the water means replacing the water in the bottle to which nutrient solution has been added. Generally, in spring and autumn, change the water once every 5-10 days; in summer, change it about once every 5 days; in winter, change it once every 10-15 days (after tap water has been left to stand for half a day, add the concentrated nutrient solution according to the ratio). Changing the water is to ensure the oxygen supply in the water. Fresh water contains more oxygen, and the plants will grow more healthily. If the water is not changed for a long time, the plants can also hold on for a period, for example when everyone goes on a business trip or vacation and is not at home for ten days to half a month or even a month. Soil-cultivated plants would long ago have been unable to stand it and would have died, while hydroponic plants, as long as you add more water, can still hold on. But if the time is too long and the water in the bottle is very stale or spoiled, it will affect the growth of the hydroponic plants and, in serious cases, can also cause their death. Note: When changing the water, please expose half or one third of the plant's roots.
7. Cleaning: Each time you change the water, rinse the plant's roots and the container with clean water, and trim dead branches, withered leaves and rotten roots. Under normal growth conditions, hydroponic plants will periodically rot part of their roots and then grow new roots, so when you find rotten roots, do not panic first. Use sterilized scissors (disinfected with alcohol cotton) to trim off the rotten roots. Sometimes some old roots can also be trimmed off to promote the growth of new roots (note: do this under the guidance of professionals). But be sure not to damage the water roots, otherwise it will affect the growth of the plants. The roots of hydroponic plants: those white, tender roots above are the water roots. Some grow directly from the base of the stem, and some grow from the main root. They are all responsible for the plant's absorption function, so be sure not to damage them.
8. Moisture retention: In winter there is very little moisture in the air, especially in the north, where indoors it is very dry, which is unfavorable for plant growth. So in daily care, please spray the leaf surfaces with clean water to maintain humidity. You can spray clean water twice a day.