What are the cultivation methods and precautions for hydroponic spider plants?
Spider plant, also known as hanging orchid, fishing orchid, orchid grass, etc., is a perennial evergreen herbaceous plant of the genus Chlorophytum in the Liliaceae family. Its branches are slender and drooping. In summer or when temperatures are high in other seasons, it produces small white flowers. The flowers are concentrated at the ends of the drooping branches, with yellow stamens, and the small tender inner leaves are sometimes purple. It can be used for potted ornamental display. Now let us take a look at the cultivation methods and precautions for hydroponic spider plants!
Planting methods for hydroponic spider plants
1. Container selection: There are many types of containers for hydroponic plants. By material, they can be divided into peat, porcelain, glass, plastic, etc. By light transmission, they can be divided into transparent, opaque, and semi-transparent, etc. The roots of spider plants can be viewed, so choose a transparent glass container.
2. Prepare nutrient solution: For hydroponic spider plants, add 1.8 grams of calcium nitrate, 0.187 grams of ammonium sulfate, 0.62 grams of monopotassium phosphate, 0.54 grams of magnesium sulfate, 0.62 grams of potassium chloride, and 0.0278 grams of ferrous phosphate per liter. After dissolving, dilute with water to 1 liter and mix evenly.
3. Spider plant treatment: Hydroponic spider plants require treating the plants dug out from the soil. Wash the soil off the roots with water, then cut off old and rotten roots, keep the fibrous roots, and remove diseased leaves. It is best to wash the dust and soil off the leaf surfaces with clean water and keep the leaves intact.
4. Fixing and placement: Insert the treated spider plant into the bottle and fix it with materials such as glass balls or stones. Ensure the plant can stand upright in the glass container and remain upright when moved or exposed to wind. Be careful to keep the root system intact and do not damage the roots.
Cultivation methods for hydroponic spider plants
1. Sufficient water: Hydroponic spider plants do not need watering, but the water must be changed frequently. Especially in summer, the water needs to be changed to cool the plant. Usually change it once every 3 to 4 days, and at noon sprinkle more water around the plant to keep the air humid.
2. Moderate light: Spider plants are shade-loving plants, but they also need light. In summer, do not place spider plants directly in the sun to bake. They can be placed on a windowsill with appropriate shading. If spider plants are exposed to strong sunlight, the leaves will turn yellow and lose their luster.
3. Proper fertilization: Hydroponic spider plants are mostly soaked in nutrient solution, so they need less fertilizer, but they still need it. Each time the water is changed, sprinkle a few granules of nitrogen fertilizer into the water, preferably granular.
4. Change the culture solution: For hydroponic spider plants, add water and replace the nutrient solution about every 7 days. It can be a common hydroponic nutrient solution sold on the market or a dedicated nutrient solution. Be sure to replace it in time to keep the water clean. When necessary, wash the roots of the spider plant while replacing the nutrient solution.
Precautions for hydroponic spider plants
1. Spider plants prefer warm, humid, and semi-shaded environments. The optimum growth temperature is 15 to 25 degrees, and the overwintering temperature is 5 degrees. If the air is too dry and ventilation is poor, tip drying is likely to occur. If sunlight is too strong, it is easy to burn the leaves.
2. For a single-layer bottle, add water and flower nutrient solution once every 4 days, inputting water through the straw until full. For a double-layer bottle, change the water once a week. When changing the water, pour out the bottle water, wash the container clean, fill it with clean water and flower nutrient solution, and then place the plastic sieve on the water bottle.
3. It is advisable for 1/3 of the root system to be immersed in water. Change the water once every 5 to 7 days in summer, once every 7 to 10 days in spring and autumn, and once every 10 to 15 days in winter. It is best to use tap water that has been left standing for 2 to 3 days. The water temperature difference should not be greater than 2 degrees.
4. When using the root-washing method or division method for hydroponic spider plants, the original thick fleshy roots will rot. The water must be changed every day, the roots washed, and rotten roots removed. After about 25 to 30 days, new roots can grow, and the old roots gradually adapt to the hydroponic environment. Only then can nutrient solution cultivation be used.
5. The nutrient solution is added during the water-changing process. The nutrient solution should be stored in a dry, light-avoiding environment and in a place not easily accessible to children. The temperature should preferably not exceed 35 degrees.