How to grow azaleas hydroponically? Detailed guide to caring for greenery and flowers

The characteristic of the hydroponic method is to replace the soil with a nutrient solution made from human cockroaches.

Preparation of lake substrate

Azalea roots are fine and thin, so the substrate needs to be loose to allow for ventilation and drainage. Take 1 part vermiculite, 1 part pearl sand, 1 part river sand and 1 part cinder. After combining, sterilize the substrate with a 0.1% carbendazim solution, mix it evenly into the substrate, and cover it with plastic film for 1 day. Then wash it repeatedly with water, dry it, mix it with 0.4% agricultural compound fertilizer, and cover it again with plastic film - after a month, it can be used in pots.

2. Preparation of nutrient solution

Azaleas have strict fertilizer requirements. During development, use dilute fertilizer. Experimental results show that using agricultural compound fertilizer as the main component, supplemented with trace elements, controlling the pH value at 5, and using low-concentration foliar fertilizer can achieve very good results.

Preparation of major elements: add 2 grams of agricultural compound fertilizer to 1 liter of water, add 0.5 grams of magnesium sulfate, as a stock solution.

Preparation of trace elements: add 20 grams of sodium EDTA, 15 grams of ferrous sulfate, 4 grams of manganese sulfate, 6 grams of boric acid, 0.2 grams of zinc sulfate, 0.1 grams of copper sulfate, and 0.2 grams of ammonium molybdate to 1 liter of water as the mother solution. When using, 1 ml of the stock solution plus 1 ml of the trace element mother solution is the complete element solution.

The formula for foliar fertilizer is: add 1 g of urea, 1 g of bismuth potassium phosphate, 0.02 g of boric acid to 1 l of water.

3. Water and fertilizer management

Because the substrate drains well and has good air permeability; but it has poor water retention, so the amount of watering is generally more than for soil cultivation, so that the substrate can stay moist. At this time, both flower buds and leaf buds have sprouted, and the fertilizer requirement is high, so use the full nutrient solution every 10 days. From March until the flower buds appear, spray foliar fertilizer every 15 days. After flowering, the water requirement is high. In addition to daily watering, thin fertilizer should be applied to the leaves. At this time, the fertilizer requirement is also high, and it can be changed to watering with the nutrient solution, along with spraying foliar fertilizer, to promote stronger new branches and help flower bud differentiation.

After entering the hot season, pay attention to the humidity of the substrate, and for foliar feeding, the amount of fertilizer can be reduced to once every 20 days.

After the temperature drops in autumn, the amount of fertilization can be gradually increased. After half a month, apply the full nutrient solution and spray 1-2 times with foliar fertilizer to promote healthy development of the flower buds.

After entering winter, the physiological activity of the azalea is weak, so it is not suitable to fertilize, and it can be watered appropriately according to how dry or wet the substrate is. During cultivation, no pests occurred on the roots.