Can Dieffenbachia be grown hydroponically? A detailed guide to the correct hydroponic method

Nowadays, growing potted plants in water is gradually becoming a trend. Has this “water-growing wave” reached your home? The common way to grow Dieffenbachia is in soil. Can Dieffenbachia be grown hydroponically? From an environmental point of view, the roots of hydroponic plants are less prone to bacterial growth than those of soil-grown plants, and they also look more “pleasing to the eye.” Dieffenbachia can of course also be grown hydroponically, but if cared for improperly, the survival rate is also relatively low. If you want to grow Dieffenbachia hydroponically, you should start from the following aspects:

1. Rinse the soil off the roots and remove dead roots.

2. Prepare a suitable transparent vase, wash it clean and set it aside.

3. When growing hydroponically, do not immerse the roots entirely in water; leave 1/3 or 1/4 above the water surface.

4. During hydroponic growth, change the water once every 3-4 days.

5. Once the Dieffenbachia grows new roots, promptly remove the old roots.

6. After new roots grow, you can change the water once every 15 days and add foliage plant nutrient solution, but be careful not to replace all the water.

There are quite a few methods for growing Dieffenbachia hydroponically.

1. Root-washing method

It can be done in all four seasons, but the best times are spring and autumn. Specific steps:

① Choose a Dieffenbachia that is growing vigorously, has already taken shape in soil cultivation and has ornamental value.

② Take the plant out of the pot and remove the soil around the roots.

③ Rinse the soil off in water, cut away some old roots; to prevent root rot in the early hydroponic stage and promote new root growth, you can soak and disinfect with 0.5% potassium permanganate.

④ Place the prepared Dieffenbachia plant into the prepared container, pour in tap water that covers 2/3 to 1/2 of the root system, and cultivate new roots.

2. Water-cutting method

Generally carried out in spring and autumn, because late autumn and early spring cannot reach the temperature required for rooting, and in the high-temperature summer season the cuttings are susceptible to microbial infection and rot. When water-cutting, select a strong branch about 1cm in diameter, keep the aerial roots on the stem nodes, cut it into small sections 10cm long, disinfect the cut with potassium permanganate, let the sap flowing from the wound dry, then insert into plain sand or water, keep a relatively high air humidity at around 25°C, and after about 20 days the base of the cutting will root and sprout, forming a plant material suitable for hydroponic growth.

During the healing and rooting period of water cuttings, respiration is relatively vigorous, so there must be an adequate oxygen supply. Therefore, at the beginning of water cutting, change the water frequently to keep the water clean and meet the cuttings' oxygen needs. When changing the water, rinse the cuttings and the container clean with fresh water, and especially strengthen the rinsing of the cut. After rooting, you can switch to normal hydroponic care.

3. Division method

Division is usually carried out when growth begins in spring. Dividing in spring reduces damage to the plant and allows the divided plants to quickly return to normal growth. First take the plant out of the pot, shake off most of the potting soil, untangle the tangled root system, expose the tiller shoots and roots, then as needed use a sharp knife to divide the mother plant's stem into several clumps, disinfect the wounds (coat with plant ash or sulfur), rinse, and then carry out hydroponic care.

When growing Dieffenbachia hydroponically, pay attention to the following key points:

1. Plant selection

Generally there are now mainly two methods: taking branches from a planted Dieffenbachia for water cutting, which can sprout new roots in about 10 days. You can also use the root-washing water-culture method, that is, washing the roots of a soil-grown Dieffenbachia and then growing it hydroponically. You can rinse repeatedly with tap water, but be careful not to damage the roots.

2. Water quality selection

The water source for hydroponic care of Dieffenbachia should be disinfected tap water that meets national drinking water standards, in which the salt concentration<300ppm>; the total concentration of added inorganic salts should be<500ppm>~<300ppm>; the total concentration of added inorganic salts should be<500ppm>~<300ppm>; the total concentration of added inorganic salts should be<500ppm>~<300ppm>; the total concentration of added inorganic salts should be<500ppm>

3. Water quantity selection

For root-washed Dieffenbachia, no nutrient solution needs to be added in the early hydroponic stage. This is because the roots are injured (they will inevitably be injured to some extent when the soil is removed), and the water should not be too much; just slightly covering the roots is enough.

4. Use of nutrient solution

For Dieffenbachia with mottled leaves grown hydroponically, nutrient solution can be added after about 3 weeks. Use a small amount the first time, and thereafter apply as appropriate according to growth. The pH value of the hydroponic nutrient solution is 6.0 to 7.0, and its height in the bottle should not exceed 50% of the root height. Replace with new nutrient solution 1 to 2 times per week; the higher the ambient temperature, the more frequently the new nutrient solution should be replaced.

5. Humidity care

Dieffenbachia likes relatively high humidity and dislikes dryness. During the growth period, water should often be sprayed on the stems and leaves.

For hydroponic Dieffenbachia, whether it survives depends on selecting a vigorous plant, and even more on scientific cleaning and disinfection after division; otherwise bacterial infection will occur and affect its survival rate.