How to grow hydroponic flowers so they thrive? Practical care tips shared
1. Hydroponic flowers are ornamental plants grown in a non-solid medium (water, or water with an appropriate amount of plant nutrient solution added). At present, most household hydroponic flowers are grown in still water, where the dissolved oxygen is below 1mg/l, and the flowers barely sustain life in an oxygen-poor container. As summer temperatures rise, plant physiological metabolism becomes vigorous, microorganisms multiply in large numbers, oxygen consumption surges, dissolved oxygen keeps decreasing, and water quality deteriorates, creating many unfavorable factors for the growth of hydroponic flowers. This may cause root rot, wilting branches and leaves, and even the death of the plants. Therefore, in summer, besides preventing extreme heat, increasing the oxygen content of the nutrient solution is the key to ensuring hydroponic flowers safely get through the summer.
2. How can the dissolved oxygen content of the nutrient solution be increased?
There are many ways to increase dissolved oxygen, which can be summarized into two categories: chemical methods and physical methods. The following are several easy-to-operate and effective methods.
1. Increase the frequency of replacing the nutrient solution. Replacing the nutrient solution is a simple way to increase dissolved oxygen. Measurements show that the dissolved oxygen content of fresh nutrient solution increases by 70%-90% compared with the original solution, which can promptly improve the physiological oxygen deficiency of the flowers. For flowers that have already grown water roots, it is advisable to replace the nutrient solution once every 3-5 days, and no more than 7 days. When replacing the nutrient solution, note that the temperature difference between the new solution and the original solution should not be too large; too large a temperature difference may cause physiological disorders in the flower roots. When changing the solution, patiently rinse the roots with clean water, remove withered and rotten roots, and cut the aged roots shorter to promote new root growth. If the nutrient solution suddenly becomes cloudy, or there are mosquito egg masses, the nutrient solution should be replaced with new solution immediately.
2. Vibration for oxygenation. For smaller hydroponic flowers in containers, as long as the roots are clear and undamaged and the nutrient solution is transparent, vibration can be used to increase oxygen. The operation method is to hold the flower with one hand and hold the container with the other hand, gently shaking it more than 10 times; after shaking, the dissolved oxygen content of the nutrient solution can increase by more than 30%. Hydroponic flowers with cloudy nutrient solution or poorly developed roots are not suitable for the vibration oxygenation method, and the nutrient solution must be completely replaced.
3. Aerate into the container. If, while caring for hydroponic flowers, there is also a tank of ornamental fish nearby, the oxygen rod of the fish tank can be put into the container to aerate it.
3. What position is suitable for placing hydroponic flowers in summer?
Most of the flower materials selected for hydroponic flowers are shade-tolerant foliage flowers and flowers grown for both flowers and leaves. Such as arrowhead plant, white-striped evergreen, calla lily, anthurium, bromeliads, etc. These flowers like warmth and humidity, are slightly tolerant of shade, and avoid high temperature and dry heat. "Hydroponics" only changes the cultivation form and cannot change their growth habits and required environmental factors. In summer, it is best to place hydroponic flowers in an environment with bright light, slightly higher humidity, relatively cool temperatures, and good ventilation. Avoid direct sunlight, but do not make it too shady, so as not to block the flowers' photosynthesis, weaken their growth, elongate the stem nodes, and make the leaves thinner. This causes leaves of flowers with colored patches and patterns to lose their luster.