What do Aquatic Plants Need to Grow
In courtyard water features or home aquariums, aquatic plants often suffer from yellowing leaves and stagnant growth due to improper care. These seemingly delicate plants actually follow unique survival rules, and mastering four key elements can create a vibrant "underwater forest."
Light Determines Growth Rhythm
Photosynthesis Golden Rule
Floating leaf plants like lotus and water hyacinth require 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily, while submerged species like goldfish algae need scattered light environments. Adjust by observing leaf conditions: small new leaves indicate insufficient light intensity, while leaf burns require shading.
Artificial Light Alternative
For indoor hydroponics, it is recommended to use full-spectrum LED lights, maintaining a light intensity of 6000-8000 lux at a distance of 30 cm from the water surface, with 8 hours of supplemental lighting daily to simulate natural rhythms.
Refined Control of Nutritional Balance
Building a Natural Cycle System
Introduce detritivorous creatures like black shell shrimp to decompose fallen leaves, and establish an ecological chain with nitrifying bacteria. Adding 50g of humus soil per cubic meter of water can slowly release trace elements like iron and magnesium.
Hydroponic Nutrient Solution Ratio
For home care, a special liquid fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 3-1-2 is recommended, adding 1ml per liter every two weeks in summer and halving it in winter. Use EDTA chelated iron to prevent chlorosis.
Three Dimensions of Water Quality Management
Water Source Selection and Treatment
Collected rainwater needs to be filtered for suspended particles, and tap water should be exposed to sunlight for over 48 hours. Tropical species require a water temperature of 25-28°C, while cold varieties are suitable for 18-22°C.
Water Oxygen Content Regulation
Install a circulation pump to create water flow, or plant oxygen-producing plants like water celery. Change 1/3 of the water weekly, ensuring a temperature difference of no more than 3°C to avoid stress reactions.
Dynamic Maintenance of Ecosystem
Biological Community Balance
Combine emergent plants (iris), floating leaf plants (water lily), and submerged plants (bitter grass) in a 1:3 ratio to form a three-dimensional purification system. Regularly prune dense plants to maintain 50% surface light transmission.
Seasonal Adaptation Adjustment
Strengthen nutrient supply in spring and autumn, provide shade and cool in summer, and transfer cold-tolerant species to deep water areas in northern regions in winter to prevent freezing.
From light control to ecological balance, each step affects the life trajectory of aquatic plants. By regularly testing key parameters like pH (6.5-7.5) and EC (200-800μs/cm), and adjusting flexibly based on plant growth performance, these "underwater sprites" can continue to thrive.