Methods for Identifying Edible Mushroom Diseases and Key Challenges of Summer Care for Hydroponic Flowers
Key Challenges of Summer Care for Hydroponic Flowers
I. What are the challenges of getting hydroponic flowers through the summer?
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 dissolved oxygen is below 1mg/l, and the flowers barely sustain life in an oxygen-deficient container. As summer temperatures rise, plant physiological metabolism becomes vigorous, microorganisms proliferate 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 can cause root rot, wilting of branches and leaves, and may even kill the entire plant. Therefore, in summer, besides preventing scorching heat, increasing the oxygen content of the nutrient solution is the key to ensuring hydroponic flowers get through the summer safely.
II. How can the dissolved oxygen content of the nutrient solution be increased?
There are many ways to increase dissolved oxygen, broadly classified into chemical methods and physical methods. The following are several methods that are easy to carry out and highly effective.
1. Increase the frequency of replacing the nutrient solution
Replacing the nutrient solution is the simplest way to increase dissolved oxygen. Measurements show that the dissolved oxygen content of fresh nutrient solution is 70%-90% higher than that of 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 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 encourage new root growth.
If the nutrient solution suddenly becomes cloudy, or mosquito eggs or mosquito larvae breed in it, the nutrient solution should be replaced with new solution immediately.
2. Oxygenation by vibration
For hydroponic flowers in smaller containers, as long as the roots are clear and undamaged and the nutrient solution is transparent, the vibration method can be used to increase oxygen. The method is to hold the flower steady with one hand and grasp the container with the other, gently shaking it more than 10 times. After shaking, the dissolved oxygen content of the nutrient solution can increase by more than 30%.
For hydroponic flowers with cloudy nutrient solution or poorly developed roots, the vibration oxygenation method should not be used, and the nutrient solution must be completely replaced.
3. Use an automatic water changer for hydroponic flowers
Measurements show that the dissolved oxygen content in flowing water can reach 8-12mg/l, while in still water it is only 1mg/l. The automatic water changer for hydroponic flowers was designed and made according to this principle. The entire frame is the flower cultivation container, with a micro circulation pump installed inside. The outlet end of the pump is connected to a set pipeline; during operation, the nutrient solution circulates through the pipeline, increasing dissolved oxygen for the flowers to absorb. After the pump stops working, a certain liquid level is maintained around the roots. Cultivating with an automatic water changer is undoubtedly like letting hydroponic flowers soak in an "oxygen bar," and their growth is noticeably better than with still water hydroponics.
The automatic water changer for hydroponic flowers is generally cleaned and refilled with solution once every 30-35 days.
4. Aerate the container
If, while cultivating hydroponic flowers, there is also a tank of ornamental fish nearby, you can use the spare air outlet tube of the fish tank air pump, connect a rubber hose, and put an air stone into the still-water hydroponic flower container to aerate it (the airflow should not be too strong, to avoid splashing the nutrient solution out). Using the flow of air to increase oxygen also gives good results.
III. Where is a suitable place to put hydroponic flowers in summer?
Most of the flower materials selected for hydroponic flowers are shade-tolerant foliage plants and plants grown for both flowers and foliage. Such as arrowhead plant, white-striped dumb cane, Spathiphyllum, Anthurium, Bromeliads, etc. These flowers prefer warm and humid conditions, tolerate slight shade, and dislike high temperature and dry heat. "Hydroponics" only changes the cultivation form; it cannot change their growth habits or the environmental factors they require. In summer, it is best to place hydroponic flowers in an environment with bright light, slightly high humidity, relatively cool temperatures, and good ventilation. Avoid direct sunlight, but do not place them in too much shade either, lest the flowers' photosynthesis be hindered, growth become weak, stem nodes elongate, and leaves become thinner. This can cause the leaves of flowers with colored patches and patterns to lose their luster.
IV. Can hydroponic flowers be placed in an air-conditioned room?
Yes. However, hydroponic flowers should not be placed directly in front of the air conditioner outlet; too fast an airflow can damage the branches and leaves, causing leaf curling in mild cases and scorched edges and wilting in severe cases. It should also be considered that flowers require a higher temperature during the day than at night. If the air conditioner is turned off at night and the ambient temperature is higher than the daytime temperature when the air conditioner is on, this is unfavorable for the growth of hydroponic flowers.
When the air conditioner is on, place a basin of clean water beside the flowers or spray the leaf surfaces to increase ambient humidity, and place the flowers some distance away from the air conditioner outlet. If the temperature difference between day and night is not large, there is no problem. (Source: Nongbo Network)