What are the four common propagation methods for hydroponic flowers?
Hydroponic flowers are a cultivation method that many flower enthusiasts greatly enjoy, but some friends find that hydroponic flowers are not easy to propagate. In fact, hydroponic flowers can also be propagated, and there are quite a few propagation methods. The editor will introduce the common propagation methods for hydroponic flowers.
Hydroponic flowers and plants
I. Water cutting method:It is the simplest and most easily successful method. From a selected mother flower plant, cut off part of the stem or branch, insert it into water, and under suitable conditions it will take root, sprout and grow into a new plant. When cutting the branch, cut it 3-5 mm below the node; the cut surface should be flat and must not have longitudinal cracks. When cutting branches with aerial roots, protect the aerial roots well and insert them into the water. Pothos, lucky bamboo and others are all suitable for this hydroponic method.
II. Root washing method:Select flowers that have ornamental value, grow vigorously, and have already taken shape in soil cultivation (or other media cultivation), remove the soil, wash the root system, and then switch to hydroponics. When washing the roots, it is best to use running water. Place the washed flowers into a prepared container and add tap water that covers 2/3-1/2 of the root system. At first, change the clean water once a day, and at the same time wash the roots and the container; after one week, reduce the frequency of water changes. Once the cultivated flowers grow new roots in the water, it shows they have adapted to the hydroponic environment, and you can change the water once every 7-10 days, or even longer.
III. Method of peeling off tiller buds:It is suitable for flowers with strong tillering ability, such as clivia and bromeliads. The method is simple and the survival rate is high. Select a larger tiller bud, remove the upper soil to expose the part connected to the mother plant, peel the tiller bud from the mother plant by hand or with a sharp blade (protect the roots of the tiller bud), wash off the soil attached to the roots, and cultivate it hydroponically.
IV. Method of picking off small plantlets from runners:Some flowers grow runners during growth, and the runners bear one to many small plantlets. Most of the small plantlets have a small amount of fully developed roots, such as spider plant (detailed introduction) and hanging bromeliad. Taking advantage of this characteristic of the flowers, picking off the formed small plantlets for hydroponics is very simple and convenient.
Introduction to several common varieties of hydroponic flowers and methods for obtaining materials
Flowers cultivated directly with nutrient solution (or clean water) rather than with soil or substrate are called hydroponic flowers. Hydroponic flowers have the characteristics of being clean, elegant, easy to maintain, and strong in vitality. They can also combine flower appreciation, root viewing, and fish keeping in one, making them pleasing to the eye. They are not only excellent decorative ornamental items for greening and beautifying ordinary home life, but are also widely used in indoor decoration of various public places, and are even a most fashionable gift.1. Common types and varieties of hydroponic flowers.Generally, plants suitable for hydroponics include plants of Araceae, Liliaceae, Agavaceae, Amaryllidaceae, Crassulaceae, Cactaceae, Commelinaceae and others. The original ecological environments where such plants grow are mostly humid places or swamps, and most are easily induced to sprout water-adapted root systems that can grow normally in water. Most quickly adapt to the aquatic environment, and their root systems are white and highly ornamental, making them popular in the market.(1) Araceae plants: peace lily, Monstera deliciosa, Alocasia macrorrhizos, Caladium bicolor, pothos, Syngonium podophyllum, Zamioculcas zamiifolia, etc.
(2) Liliaceae plants: spider plant, Ophiopogon japonicus 'Variegatus' white-striped grass, aloe, hyacinth, Aspidistra elatior, Haworthia fasciata, etc.
(3) Agavaceae plants: Dracaena reflexa, fragrant dracaena, Agave americana, Sansevieria trifasciata, Cordyline fruticosa 'Compacta' small cordyline, Brazilian iron, etc.
(4) Amaryllidaceae plants: clivia, narcissus, amaryllis, etc.
(5) Crassulaceae plants: Aeonium, jade plant, Kalanchoe daigremontiana, etc.
(6) Cactaceae plants: cactus ball, cactus column, Christmas cactus, etc.
(7) Commelinaceae plants: Commelina communis, Tradescantia spathacea, Lophatherum gracile, Tradescantia zebrina, etc.
(8) Other plant categories: ivy, chamaedorea, Rhapis excelsa, etc.
2. Methods for obtaining materials for hydroponic flowers.According to the growth and propagation characteristics of the flowers, hydroponic flowers can be obtained by three methods: the cutting water insertion method, the division method, and the method of removing from the pot and washing the roots.
(1) Cutting water insertion method:This method is best carried out in spring and autumn. Select varieties that are easy to root and quick to take shape, cut vigorous aboveground parts or branches with sufficient nutrients, and insert them into water to induce rooting. After inserting the cuttings into water, pay attention to changing the water frequently to keep the water clean. After the newly sprouted roots grow to 1-2 cm, transfer them to nutrient solution for cultivation.
(2) Division method:The method of separating clustered plants with roots, or cutting off the flower's tiller buds, suckers, stolons, etc., for hydroponics.
(3) Method of removing from the pot and washing the roots:After taking soil-cultivated flowers out of the pot, remove the soil, rinse clean the substrate on the roots, and determine the amount of root pruning according to the characteristics of the variety. For most varieties, all the original soil-grown roots can be cut off, but some flowers' branches and leaves are extremely dependent on the roots. If the soil-grown roots are completely cut off, the aboveground part of the plant will soon wilt or even die. Such plants should not have all the original soil-grown roots cut off; they can be pruned appropriately, retaining part of the soil-grown roots, to induce and cultivate new roots. After new roots are produced, gradually prune the original old roots.
The introduction to several common varieties of hydroponic flowers and methods for obtaining materials ends here. Everyone is welcome to continue following Duorou Huapu to learn more about hydroponic flowers!
Handling common problems of hydroponic flowers
Handling common problems of hydroponic flowers
Under careful management, hydroponic flowers will reward us with a brilliant smiling face, but some small problems may also be encountered, such as root rot. What should we do?
■ Root rot of hydroponic flowers
As the temperature continues to rise, the water temperature also rises, microorganisms reproduce faster, dissolved oxygen decreases, and water quality deteriorates. Improperly adding nutrient solution can make the dissolved concentration too high, and both may cause root rot in hydroponic flowers, especially in the Liliaceae plants Cordyline fruticosa, Dracaena angustifolia (fine-leaved thousand-year wood), and Dracaena fragrans 'Massangeana' rainbow thousand-year wood.
These methods can restore the growth of flowers with root rot: remove all the rotted roots; if the stem has also been infected, use a sharp knife to cut off the infected part. Soak the pruned flowers in a 0.5% potassium permanganate solution for 10-20 minutes to sterilize. Take out the soaked flowers and rinse them under running water. Place the washed flowers back into the original container and cultivate them in clean water (the container should be washed clean). Change the water once every 1-2 days, using only clean water without adding nutrient solution. If the water is clear, the frequency of water changes can be reduced. After 10-15 days of care, new roots can sprout. The newly sprouted roots should still be cultivated in clean water, and when the temperature stabilizes at 18-25 degrees, cultivate them with nutrient solution.
■ Algae growing in the nutrient solution
Algae growing in the nutrient solution is a common phenomenon during the hydroponic cultivation of flowers. Especially in summer, when the temperature is high, the container has good transparency, and the environment is bright. Or when the time between changing the nutrient solution is too long, it will also trigger massive algae growth. Algae compete with the flowers for oxygen, and their secretions pollute the solution, causing the quality of the nutrient solution to decline. Algae attached to the flower roots hinder root respiration and interfere with the normal physiological activities of the flowers, causing great harm. Once algae grow in the nutrient solution, decisively pour out the contaminated solution, thoroughly clean the container, brush off the algae attached to the flower roots, and replace with new nutrient solution.