Crystal soil flower cultivation methods and key points of daily management

Crystal soil is a transparent, block-shaped soil water-retention agent that looks like crystal. Its greatest feature is that it requires no soil, is non-toxic and odorless, environmentally friendly, safe, and hygienic. When cultivating, use non-porous glass containers, which are clean, free of ants and insects, and free of sewage pollution. Normally there is no need to water or fertilize frequently; simply spray a little water on the leaves occasionally and keep a small amount of water at the bottom of the container, and the plant will be full of vitality and sparklingly lovely. It is crystal-clear and dazzlingly colorful, especially suitable as decoration and accent for homes and various public places, and has attracted many home gardening enthusiasts.

1 Cultivation advantages

1.1 Simple and easy to learn

Using crystal soil soilless cultivation technology, the materials are clean and hygienic, with few pests and diseases, and the planting process is simple and easy to learn. Crystal soil can repeatedly absorb and release water. Using specially prepared nutrient substrate will greatly reduce the frequency of watering and fertilizing, save the trouble of regular fertilization and watering, and reduce problems such as poor growth and death of flowers.

1.2 Space-saving

In limited living space, mini gardening - crystal soil flowers are clean and hygienic, small and exquisite, and can be conveniently placed on desks, tea tables, writing desks, TV cabinets, living rooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and bathrooms, accenting every part of the home and beautifying the environment as much as possible.

1.3 Free combination

People can choose flowers, plants, and containers according to their own interests and preferences. At the same time, they can cleverly match and arrange flowers of different forms and colors to achieve an effect even better than flower arranging. They can also purposefully choose some flowers and plants, such as spider plant, snake plant, and lucky bamboo, to purify the air and promote physical and mental health.

1.4 Viewing the roots of plants

Crystal soil flowers are all placed in glass containers, so one can appreciate not only the stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits of the flowers, but also the continuously growing roots. Roots of various shapes add even more brilliance to the varied and graceful flowers.

1.5 Rich in nutrients

Crystal soil contains nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and various trace elements needed by plants. Plant roots can slowly absorb the water, nutrients, and trace elements provided by the crystal soil, thereby making the plants grow more robustly and uniformly, and making the leaves and flowers brightly colored with a long flowering period.

1.6 Clean and environmentally friendly

Crystal soil is free of insects, non-toxic, odorless, does not breed mold, and is clean, environmentally friendly, and beautiful. In addition, crystal soil is a very environmentally friendly material. After a period of hydrolysis, its final decomposition products are ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water, with no toxic residue.

2 Cultivation techniques

2.1 Selecting plants Plants cultivated in crystal soil need to meet 2 conditions:

Small plants and shade-loving. Suitable plants include Araceae plants such as arrowhead plant, peace lily, mini monstera, pothos, red emerald philodendron, and silver queen Chinese evergreen; spider plant types such as variegated spider plant, golden spider plant, silver-edged spider plant, and green-leaf spider plant; and also plants such as inch plant, caladium, asparagus fern, lucky bamboo, pygmy date palm, anthurium, Brazilian iron plant, golden-edged snake plant, and money tree, a group of plants suitable for shade-loving indoor display.

2.2 Choosing glass containers

Crystal soil is a relatively soft solid with slightly poorer stability. The container for planting crystal soil flowers should not be too large. It is advisable to choose glass containers with relatively high transparency and a volume of 250-2500mL, suitable for planting short indoor evergreen foliage plants.

2.3 Soaking crystal soil

Before use, it must be soaked in water to expand. Dry crystal soil granules need to be soaked in 50-100 times their volume of water, and do not stir during soaking. Generally, domestically produced crystal soil has larger granules and needs 8-9h of soaking, while imported crystal soil has smaller granules and needs 1-2h. It is best to use clean distilled water, mineral water, purified water, or cooled boiled water to soak the crystal soil. If using tap water, it is best to let it stand for 2d to release the chloride ions in the water before use. Before soaking, reserve a small amount of dry crystal soil granules to place at the bottom of the container during planting to absorb excess water.

2.4 Treating plants

For plants grown in soil, first moisten the soil with water, then remove the plant together with its roots, and wash off the soil with clean water. After that, observe the roots. Pruning root branches mainly means pruning rotten leaves, old, weak, diseased, and dead roots, as well as excess, rotten, and overly long fibrous roots. Generally, pruning depends on the condition of the plant's root development, and about 1/3 can be cut off. Do not damage the main roots during operation.

2.5 Disinfecting roots

Flowers and plants prepared for transplanting should have their roots disinfected. First use 75% alcohol, soak the root tips of the plant for about 3s and remove, or use 0.3% potassium permanganate solution to disinfect the roots for 10min, then rinse the roots clean with water and air-dry the surface moisture for later use.

2.6 Washing crystal soil

Crystal soil is artificially colored and should be rinsed with water 2-3 times to wash off the color, then drain the water.

2.7 Color matching

Crystal soil is brightly and richly colored, and should be combined after being soaked separately. When matching colors, note that it is best not to use more than 2 colors of crystal soil in 1 vase. For example, red, orange, yellow, and purple are one series, and any 2 can be chosen; cyan, blue, and green are one series, and any 2 can be chosen.

2.8 Planting

First place the reserved dry crystal soil granules at the bottom of a clean glass bottle. Then, according to the designed colors, spread a layer of crystal soil at the bottom. Hold the plant with your left hand and place it in the center of the container, then use your right hand to evenly place crystal soil around the roots. After the 1st layer of color is finished, add the 2nd layer. After placing it, lift the plant roots slightly upward so that the roots can spread out and grow better. Finally, press the crystal soil down a bit to secure the plant. After all the crystal soil is added, check whether the amount of crystal soil is appropriate. The height should completely cover the roots, and it is best to be 1-2cm from the mouth of the vase.

3 Cultivation management

3.1 Acclimatization

Newly transplanted flowers and plants cannot be directly exposed to sunlight. The plants need to be placed in a cool, ventilated place with scattered light for 3-5d for acclimatization. During hot, high-temperature periods, usually spray water on the ground to lower the temperature and maintain air humidity at 60%-80%[3]. Spray water on the leaf surface to reduce water evaporation from the plants, which helps the plants recover quickly.

3.2 Water

Crystal soil itself has a very strong ability to retain water. Normally, try not to water it, but often observe the water content of the crystal soil. If the surface of the crystal soil shrivels and the plants show yellowing and leaf drop, be sure to supply appropriate water according to the habits of the flowers, their water evaporation capacity, the size of the flower plants, and the season.

3.3 Light

Photosynthesis is crucial to plant growth. Crystal soil flowers are mostly placed indoors. If light is insufficient for a long time, the plants will become leggy and develop yellow leaves. General shade plants need about 30%-50% of the light intensity of sun plants. Therefore, it is best to regularly place the plants in a place with scattered light for 1-2d to facilitate normal growth.

3.4 Precautions

3.4.1 Root rot

Many soilless cultivation plants experience root rot. The main reason is that the root system is not adapted to the difference between the water environment and the soil environment. Plant roots are prone to becoming too wet or waterlogged, and root rot may occur or a rotten odor may be smelled from the vase. This situation will seriously affect the growth of the flowers. Timely cut off the rotten roots, and thoroughly clean and drain the roots and crystal soil. At the same time, remove the green algae growing in the original container and keep it clean.

3.4.2 Yellowing leaves

Too much or too little watering can cause leaf wilting and yellowing. Hot, humid, high-temperature summers can easily cause scorching at leaf tips and margins. Long-term insufficient sunlight and frequent spraying of leaf surfaces (most plants should have leaf surfaces sprayed once every 1-2 weeks) can also cause yellow leaves, etc. During daily care, cut off yellow leaves, carefully explore the growth habits of different plants, and adjust conditions such as light, temperature, water, air, and dryness and humidity. Often wipe leaf surfaces with clean water containing a little vinegar to remove scale and dirt, keeping the leaf surface fresh, clean, and glossy, which helps produce nutrients. Do not place them for long periods beside televisions or in places often exposed to air conditioning or electric fans, so as to avoid dry and withered leaf tips and margins that affect appearance.

3.4.3 Dusty or relatively dirty crystal soil surface

After crystal soil has been used for a long time - generally domestically produced crystal soil is used for about 6 months, while imported crystal soil is used for 3-5 years - during use and display, the surface of the crystal soil will become dusty or relatively dirty. The surface layer of crystal soil should be taken out, rinsed clean with clean water, soaked to restore, air-dried to remove surface moisture, and then placed back into the transparent glass bottle.

3.4.4 Other maintenance

For mini crystal soil gardening displayed for a long time, different colors may slowly seep, and finally the boundary between 2 colors becomes unclear. Before planting, when matching colors, try to place dark colors below and light colors above.

3.5 Pest and disease control

During the maintenance period, flower plants sometimes carry some pests and diseases themselves, affecting appearance and healthy growth, such as scale insects and anthracnose. You can spray 2.5% deltamethrin 2500 times dilution, or 70% thiophanate-methyl 1000 times dilution, 50% carbendazim 800 times dilution, or 75% chlorothalonil 1000 times dilution, once every 10-15d, for 2-4 consecutive sprays.