Can epiphyllum be hydroponically cultivated? How to cultivate it?
This article provides a detailed introduction to whether epiphyllum can be hydroponically cultivated, how to cultivate it, and five small steps for the hydroponic cultivation method of epiphyllum. Let's take a look together.
Hydroponically cultivated epiphyllum is thin and small, the吊兰 (Spider Plant) also becomes dry and yellow, and the富贵竹 (Fortune Bamboo) is never as lush as others. Why is that? In fact, when we cultivate these plants in soil, there are many nutrients in the soil. However, in hydroponic conditions, the water contains very few nutrients. Without fertilization, it is difficult for plants to grow well, which is why they are small and underdeveloped!
Hydroponic plant fertilization
Why fertilize?
The medium for hydroponic flowers is water, and the nutrients in the water, especially the major elements needed by flowers such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, are almost non-existent. This has little effect on plants when they are young or just growing roots, but as the plants grow and develop further, including flowering and fruiting, it is difficult to grow well without nutrients.
1. Selection of fertilizer
Hydroponic flowers generally choose specialized nutrient solution fertilizers, which are comprehensive in nutrition and clean and hygienic. They can also be prepared according to a certain formula. Self-fermented decomposed fertilizer liquid is not suitable as it easily breeds bacteria, produces an unpleasant smell, and attracts insects.
2. Different plants have different fertilizer requirements
Generally, foliage plants should be mainly fertilized with nitrogen, supplemented by phosphorus and potassium fertilizers; flowering plants, especially during their bud differentiation and bud development stages, should be mainly fertilized with phosphorus and potassium, supplemented with nitrogen. However, it is necessary to apply less nitrogen fertilizer to flowering plants with colorful stripes or spots on their leaves, as excessive nitrogen can cause the leaf color to fade or even disappear, and phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be appropriately increased.
For flowering plants, it is necessary to focus on the bud differentiation and bud development stages, using phosphorus and potassium fertilizers as the main fertilizers, supplemented by nitrogen to avoid excessive vegetative growth, which can lead to excessive vegetative growth and affect reproductive growth, resulting in small flowers, few flowers, pale flower colors, or even no flowering.
3. Fertilization time
Generally, fertilization is chosen during the plant's growing period, in spring and autumn. In the severe summer and winter, fertilization is usually not performed. In summer, foliar fertilizers can be sprayed to increase nutrition. Fertilization can be combined with water changing, by adding nutrient solutions after water changing or by preparing them first and then adding them to the pot.
4. Fertilization concentration
Fertilization should strictly control the concentration of fertilizers, following the principle of applying thin and frequent fertilizers, and it is better to apply less rather than more. When the fertilizer concentration exceeds a certain limit, it can cause damage to the flowers, affecting their growth and even causing the entire plant to die.
Plants such as Xihuo芋 (Xanthosoma), mini Monstera deliciosa, and Ruby Philodendron can tolerate more fertilizer, and fertilization can be more concentrated; plants with fine roots such as Sihai Bo (Soleirolia soleirolii), Commelina, Begonia, and Coleus blumei have poor tolerance to fertilizer and should be fertilized more dilutely.
Can epiphyllum be hydroponically cultivated? How to cultivate it?
Hydroponic flowers should also determine the application concentration based on the plant's growth strength. Generally speaking, plants with strong growth have a higher tolerance to fertilizers and can be fertilized more concentratedly, while the opposite should be fertilized more dilutely. Indoor hydroponic flowers, when malnourished, should stop fertilizing or reduce the concentration of fertilization to avoid fertilizer damage.
5. Handling fertilizer damage
If after fertilization, the plant's branches and leaves appear weak and spiritless, the leaf surface loses its luster, and the roots rot and smell bad, these are the symptoms of fertilizer damage. Once these symptoms appear, the rotting roots should be promptly cut off, changed to clean water, and placed in a dark place for maintenance. Change the water once a day and check the plant's roots in a timely manner, cutting off the rotting roots until new roots sprout, and then return to normal maintenance.
Precautions
Newly hydroponic plants, especially those that have not yet rooted, do not need to be fertilized and can be fertilized after they adapt to the environment and grow roots.
If root rot or water quality deterioration and odor are found during fertilization, the rotting parts should be promptly removed, and the water and roots should be changed.
Select the appropriate nutrient solution
Hydroponic plant fertilization should choose an appropriate nutrient solution. If there is a specialized type available, it is best to choose it. If not, a universal type can be selected. It is generally better to choose well-known brand manufacturers. For plants that grow rapidly and easily, some cheaper homemade nutrient solutions, such as the commonly seen small green bottles, can be purchased.
Different flowering plant fertilization frequency
Epiphyllum: In summer, water should be sprayed on the plant frequently, and a nutrient solution should be added every 15 days. In spring and autumn growing periods, a nutrient solution can be added every 10 days.
Spider Plant: Water and nutrient solution can be changed every 7-10 days. In the hot summer, the time should be extended, and no nutrient solution should be added in winter, focusing on keeping warm.
Fortune Bamboo: A nutrient solution can be added once a month.
Peace Lily: To prevent leaf drying, water should be sprayed on the leaves during routine care to keep them moist. It is best to spray foliar fertilizer once a week, which can provide nutrition for the leaves, increase leaf luster, and resist low temperatures in winter. Using foliar plant nutrient solutions, during the budding stage, the leaves need to be sprayed 2 to 3 times with a 0.3% potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution to promote flowering.
Red掌 (Anthurium): Change the water every 7-10 days. Regularly changing the water for red掌 can remove the secretion and some algae from the plant's roots.
Peperomia:
Plants such as Clivia Miniata, Calathea, Euphorbia, and Green Apple Philodendron grow slowly and can be fertilized once every 10-15 days during the spring and autumn growing seasons, and once every 15-20 days in winter to promote healthy growth.
The above content on whether epiphyllum can be hydroponically cultivated and how to cultivate it, as well as the specific methods for the five small steps of hydroponic cultivation of Spider Plant, brought by the Green Plant Enthusiast website, if it can help you, remember to visit the Green Plant Enthusiast website often!