The Best Time to Fertilize Hydroponic Flowers and a Detailed Explanation of Key Points
Hydroponic flowers use water as the medium, and the fertilizer used is made from a variety of nutrient elements (macronutrients and micronutrients). When growing hydroponic flowers, reasonable and effective fertilization is a very important management measure. Next, the editor will explain the key points of fertilizing hydroponic flowers.
I. Fertilization Characteristics
Hydroponic flowers are placed in a bottomless -7L container and cultivated with water as the medium. As for how much fertilizer is applied as a top dressing to hydroponic flowers, it is all dissolved in the water. Of course, once the amount of fertilizer exceeds the tolerance of the flower plant, it will cause harm to the flowers. Therefore, the amount and type of fertilizer applied to hydroponic flowers must be strictly controlled.
II. Fertilization Amount and Timing
Hydroponic flowers should be fertilized in spring and autumn when growth is vigorous, while fertilization is generally not suitable in winter and summer. Of course, if flowers show poor growth due to malnutrition in summer, a 0.1% urea solution can be sprayed on the leaves. When fertilizing, follow the principle of applying little but often, and according to the number of water changes, generally add nutrient solution each time the water is changed.
III. Fertilization Techniques
1. Fertilize reasonably according to different flower species
Different flower species have different adaptability to fertilizer, so fertilization must be based on the characteristics of the flower plant itself. For flowers with fine roots and poor fertilizer tolerance, the principles of light, little, and dilute should be mastered when fertilizing; for flowers with strong fertilizer tolerance, the principles of applying little and often should be followed when fertilizing; for foliage plants, nitrogen fertilizer is suitable; for flower species whose leaves have colored stripes or patches, nitrogen fertilizer should be applied sparingly (too much nitrogen fertilizer will fade the stripe patterns), and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be appropriately increased; for flowering plants, during the stages of flower bud differentiation and flower bud development, fertilization should mainly be phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, supplemented by nitrogen fertilizer.
2. Fertilize reasonably according to season and temperature
In hot, high-temperature summers, the fertilization concentration should be reduced. For flowers that fear high temperatures, when physiological activity becomes slow or even growth stops, fertilization should be stopped, otherwise fertilizer damage will occur.
3. Fertilize according to the growth vigor of the flowers
Indoor light conditions are not as good as outdoors, so most indoor flowers are shade-loving or semi-shade-loving, and the plants are relatively thin and weak in growth, so their demand for fertilizer concentration is naturally lower. Therefore, for flowers under poor light conditions, the fertilization concentration should be reduced as much as possible.
4. Several issues to note when fertilizing
For flowers that have just been transferred to hydroponics, wait until they have adapted to the water environment before fertilizing; do not apply urea directly into the water, otherwise it will cause ammonia damage to the flowers and poison them; if hydroponic flowers show some adverse symptoms due to overly concentrated fertilization, promptly cut off the rotten roots, and change the water and wash the roots in time.
Key Technical Points for Fertilizing Hydroponic Flowers
1. Selection of fertilizer
Hydroponic flowers need a special nutrient solution, and it is generally not advisable to mix it yourself. Soilless cultivation nutrient solutions are formulated according to the proportion, concentration, and acidity of the nutrients required by the flowers. In addition to containing the macronutrients needed by plants, they also contain other micronutrients. When using the nutrient solution, strictly follow the instructions, grasp the fertilization concentration, and do not apply blindly to avoid fertilizer damage. Purchased nutrient solutions should be placed in a dark, low-temperature place, and metal containers must never be used for storage. Different flowers also have different requirements for fertilizer nutrient elements. Generally, foliage plants should mainly use nitrogen fertilizer, supplemented by phosphorus and potassium fertilizers; flowering plants, especially during their flower bud differentiation and flower bud development stages, should mainly use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, supplemented by nitrogen fertilizer.
2. Fertilization timing
Hydroponic flowers should be fertilized in spring and autumn when growth is vigorous, and generally should not be fertilized in winter and summer. If flowers show malnutrition in summer that affects growth, a 0.1% urea solution can be sprayed on the leaves.
3. Fertilization concentration
Strictly control the fertilization concentration when fertilizing, because all the nutrient elements applied are dissolved in the water. When the concentration reaches a certain level, it will cause fertilizer damage to the flowers, thereby affecting their growth and even causing the entire plant to die. ① The fertilization concentration differs for different flowers. Flowers such as arrowhead plant, mini monstera, and red emerald philodendron are relatively tolerant of fertilizer, so fertilization can be more concentrated; flowers with fine roots, such as Sihai Bo, spiderwort species, begonia species, and coleus, have poor fertilizer tolerance, so fertilization should be lighter. ② Hydroponic flowers should also have their application concentration determined according to the strength of the plant's growth vigor. Generally speaking, plants with strong growth vigor have stronger fertilizer tolerance, so fertilization can be relatively more concentrated; conversely, it should be lighter. When indoor hydroponic flowers are malnourished, fertilization should be stopped or the fertilization concentration should be reduced to avoid fertilizer damage.
4. Handling of fertilizer damage
If after fertilizing the flower branches and leaves appear weak and listless, the leaves lose their luster, and the roots rot and smell, these are signs of fertilizer damage. Once the above situations occur, promptly cut off the rotten roots, replace with clean water, and place in a dark place for care, changing the water once a day, and check the flower roots, promptly cutting off rotten roots, until new roots sprout again, then return to normal care.
Key Points for Hydroponic Flower Cultivation: The Key to Success with Hydroponic Flowers
More and more flower enthusiasts are beginning to try hydroponic flowers. Hydroponic flowers have certain advantages over soil-cultivated flowers. Even so, many flower enthusiasts still do not have a very comprehensive grasp of hydroponic flower methods, causing many hydroponic flowers to die as they are being grown. Today, the editor will introduce the key elements for success with hydroponic flowers for everyone's reference and learning.Whether hydroponic flowers can be successfully grown depends most critically on changing the water.
First, plants growing in water continuously consume oxygen. As the flowers grow, the oxygen in the water continuously decreases. When it decreases to a certain amount, it will adversely affect the growth of the flowers. Although oxygen from the air will also continuously replenish the water, its speed is relatively slow and far from sufficient to meet the oxygen absorption needs of the plant roots.
Second, during the growth process, the roots of the flowers produce mucus, and when there is a lot of mucus, it affects water quality.
Third, when flowers are grown hydroponically, a certain amount of nutrient solution must be added to the water. Apart from the portion of nutrient elements absorbed by the flowers, the rest remains in the water. When the residual substances reach a certain amount, they will also cause certain harm to the growth of the flowers. Therefore, the water for hydroponic flowers must be changed regularly.
Because the oxygen content in water is inversely proportional to temperature, that is, the higher the air and water temperature, the lower the oxygen content in the water, and the lower the air and water temperature, the higher the oxygen content in the water. In addition, plants have different oxygen requirements at different periods, so the interval between water changes should vary according to the season. In spring and autumn, although plants grow vigorously and need more oxygen, the oxygen content in the water is also relatively high, so the water can be changed about once every 5~7 days. In winter, plant growth is in a dormant or very slow-growing state, consuming little oxygen, while the water contains sufficient oxygen, so the interval between water changes can be longer, generally once every 7~10 days. In the hot summer season, plant respiration is very intense and consumes a lot of oxygen, while at the same time the oxygen content in the water is very low. In addition, at high temperatures microorganisms reproduce rapidly, causing deterioration of water quality. To ensure the normal growth of the flowers, water changes must be strengthened, generally once every 2~3 days.
At high temperatures or when fertilization is too concentrated, plants may develop root rot. In addition to promptly cutting off the rotten roots, the water also needs to be changed every day, until the plant grows new roots and resumes normal growth, only then can normal water changes be resumed.
When changing the water, rinse the flower roots with clean water, and wash off the mucus on the roots with your hands, while cutting off aged roots and rotten roots. Flowers grown in places with relatively sufficient light tend to grow moss on the container and roots, which reduces the transparency of the container, affects the ornamental value of the roots, and also consumes oxygen in the water. When cleaning, wash the moss off the container and roots thoroughly.
Plant roots also have the function of breathing oxygen from the air, so when changing the water for hydroponic flowers, never fill the water too full; leave part of the roots exposed above the water. In this way, hydroponic flowers can not only absorb oxygen from the water but also absorb some oxygen from the air, which can meet the plant's oxygen demand for growth.
The water used for hydroponic flowers is required to be pollution-free, slightly acidic, and to allow only very few microorganisms and bacteria. Tap water, after treatment by the waterworks, has the number of bacteria and microorganisms effectively controlled, so it basically meets the water requirements for hydroponic flowers.
In addition, hydroponic flowers also need appropriate ventilation. The quality of hydroponic flowers is directly related to the oxygen content in the water, and maintaining good indoor ventilation can increase the oxygen content in the water. Therefore, in places where hydroponic flowers are kept, ventilation should be strengthened to keep the indoor air fresh.
Summary: The above is knowledge related to hydroponic flowers, and I hope it is helpful to everyone.