Hydroponic flower pest and disease control methods and edible mushroom disease identification

Hydroponics frees flowers from the damage caused by soil pests and diseases, but they can still be harmed by pests and diseases in their display environment. Fungi, bacteria and viruses in the air can still infect the stems and leaves of hydroponic flowers, causing varying degrees of disease. Aphids and scale insects can drift indoors on the wind and land on hydroponic flowers to suck sap. Moths lay eggs on the flowers, and the hatched larvae also chew the tender leaves and stem tips of the flowers. Flowers that have been removed from their pots, had their roots washed and converted to hydroponics can likewise carry fungi, bacteria, viruses, eggs and larvae; if these are not carefully checked and eliminated, they will leave hidden dangers.

Because of the special nature of their display environment, once hydroponic flowers suffer pests or diseases, it is not advisable to use chemical pesticides to kill insects, nor to use large doses of fungicides to sterilise. Although these chemicals can kill insects and sterilise, they also pollute the environment. Therefore, prevention should be the priority for pests and diseases that may occur in hydroponic flowers.

When choosing hydroponic flowers, select plants that are as sturdy, luxuriant and free of pests and diseases as possible. If pests are found during the care process, they can be caught by hand or washed away with tap water. Infectious diseases are not common in hydroponic flowers; only a few leaves may show brown lesions, shrivelled necrosis, or irregular wet, water-soaked lesions, caused by fungal or bacterial infection. Once found, the entire diseased leaf should be removed and destroyed so that it does not spread. For hydroponic flowers that develop stem separation or root rot, the problem can be solved by renewing the plant: cut off the still-healthy upper stem section 3 cm below a node and place it in clean water; after a period of care and management, it will grow new roots and become an independent plant.