How to grow Houttuynia cordata (fish mint) hydroponically? A step-by-step guide to the specific method

  Houttuynia cordata (fish mint) can not only be used as medicine, but can also be eaten. Because Houttuynia cordata has extremely high nutritional value, it is generally served as a cold dressed dish, but it can also be used as a seasoning to make dishes. Houttuynia cordata is very popular among people in southern regions, so it is widely cultivated, and at the same time many gardening enthusiasts also like to grow it as a potted plant.

  Houttuynia cordata can be grown not only in soil, but also hydroponically. However, for soil-grown Houttuynia cordata, its rhizome is slightly yellowish, its creeping stems are not easy to clean thoroughly, and its flavor is relatively mild. With hydroponically grown Houttuynia cordata, on the other hand, the rhizome is not only plump and white-tender; whether used as medicine or eaten, its value tends to be better reflected. So how do you grow Houttuynia cordata hydroponically? Below, the editor shares the specific method for hydroponic Houttuynia cordata.

  For growers, because large-area cultivation and batch production are needed, but considering that Houttuynia cordata grows relatively slowly and needs to grow in a shaded environment with sufficient moisture, soilless cultivation techniques can be used, and the yield is often 3-4 times that of soil cultivation. Therefore, soilless cultivation technology is a very good method for increasing yield.

  But for home potted plant users, we can grow Houttuynia cordata hydroponically, using a transparent container so that its growth process can be seen very clearly. Moreover, the rhizome of Houttuynia cordata is very white-tender and thick, and its ornamental value is also high. So home hydroponic Houttuynia cordata is often a good choice.

  Many people think that because Houttuynia cordata is not an aquatic plant, it cannot be grown in water. But through practice it has been found that Houttuynia cordata can indeed be grown hydroponically. It is just that, in order to make Houttuynia cordata grow plump and beautiful, we need to scientifically use hydroponic nutrient solution to provide the plant with the various nutrient elements needed for growth. And as long as you take a walk around the market, you will often see many vendors displaying hydroponic Houttuynia cordata for sale.

  Because Houttuynia cordata has the characteristics of liking moisture and tolerating waterlogging, although most of the plant cannot be submerged below the water surface for water cultivation, the lower part of its rhizome can be left below the water surface. The upper part of the rhizome can remain above the water surface inside the bottle, so that the rhizome can both absorb dissolved oxygen in the water and also absorb oxygen from the air. Below are the technical key points for hydroponic Houttuynia cordata:

  1. For hydroponic Houttuynia cordata, the water level must not exceed two-thirds of the transparent glass bottle. If the water level is too high, most of the root system of Houttuynia cordata will be submerged below the water surface, and since dissolved oxygen in water is limited after all, this will cause certain difficulties for root respiration, which is very unfavorable for the growth of Houttuynia cordata.

  2. During hydroponic cultivation, pay attention to keeping the water quality in the bottle clean, because once the water quality deteriorates it will cause the rhizome of Houttuynia cordata to rot, thus forming a vicious cycle that ultimately leads to the death of the plant. Therefore, changing the water frequently is an important safeguard measure.

  Generally, in spring and autumn the temperature is relatively suitable, so you can keep changing the water once every 5-7 days; in summer the temperature is relatively high, so water changes should also be more frequent, usually once every 3-5 days; in winter, because the temperature is too low, the water quality does not easily spoil, so generally you can keep changing the water once every 10-15 days. And the amount of water changed each time should be two-thirds of the total amount in the original bottle. It is not necessary to change all the water every time, otherwise it will cause a waste of resources, and it is not necessarily very beneficial to the growth of the plant either.

  3. Changing the water is a key step in growing Houttuynia cordata well hydroponically, and each water change should be combined with dripping in nutrient solution. Then gently shake the water and nutrient solution evenly; this can also increase the dissolved oxygen in the water, which is more conducive to the respiration and growth of the Houttuynia cordata rhizome. But do not drip in too much nutrient solution each time, otherwise the root and rhizome of Houttuynia cordata may be burned due to excessively high nutrient concentration; generally just a few drops are enough. This can not only avoid fertilizer damage, but also meet the nutrients needed for the growth of Houttuynia cordata.

  4. For routine care and management, choose a suitable location; it is necessary to ensure smooth ventilation and also to ensure the environment is not exposed to direct sunlight. But generally it still needs to be placed in a sunny spot, since the plant needs to carry out photosynthesis to promote growth; usually letting it receive scattered light is enough, thereby avoiding leggy growth caused by an environment that is too shady and lacking light.

  However, if it is a sunny day in winter, it is still recommended to move the hydroponic Houttuynia cordata outdoors to receive about 1 hour of light to speed up photosynthesis, and at the same time it can also increase the water temperature in the bottle, which is more conducive to the growth of hydroponic Houttuynia cordata.