How to grow Calla lilies in water
A small tip for life: introducing the experience of caring for Calla lilies in water and the precautions for hydroponic cultivation of Calla lilies. Let's learn about it together below.
Calla lilies are a type of herbaceous plant in the Calla genus and are very common in daily life. Many people enjoy growing Calla lilies at home. While most plants are cultivated in soil, Calla lilies can be grown both in soil and hydroponically. Many people prefer hydroponically grown Calla lilies, which look cleaner and brighter. So, do you know how to grow Calla lilies hydroponically?
1. Selection of Hydroponic Plants
The hydroponic Calla lilies should not be too large, it's best to choose the tillering seedlings of Calla lilies and rinse the plant roots clean, removing rotting roots and long roots. During the initial stage of hydroponics, change the water once a day to prevent water pollution and promote new root growth. After new roots have grown, you can extend the water-changing frequency appropriately. If conditions allow, add a few drops of nutrient solution to the water every 20 days or so to make the plant grow stronger.
2. Preparation of Hydroponic Nutrient Solution
The hydroponic nutrient solution for Calla lilies can use the following formula: calcium nitrate 800g, monopotassium phosphate 210g, magnesium sulfate 250g, potassium nitrate 500g, ammonium nitrate 30g, EDTA iron salt 10g, manganese sulfate 2g, zinc sulfate 1g, boric acid 1.3g, copper sulfate 0.15g, and ammonium molybdate 0.1g. In the early growth stage of Calla lilies, the nutrient solution concentration can be controlled at 1.2ms/cm; in the middle and later stages, it can be appropriately increased to 1.5ms/cm. Throughout the growth period, control the pH value of the nutrient solution between 5.6 and 6.5. The supply of nutrient solution mainly depends on the weather conditions and the size of the plant. Generally, supply the solution 2-3 times a day to keep the culture medium moist and maintain a shallow water layer at the bottom of the tray.
3. Hydroponic Management and Pest and Disease Control
The management of Calla lily plants is relatively simple, mainly involving removing yellow leaves and some outer leaves. The purpose of removing outer leaves is to prevent leaf congestion from affecting light and ventilation and to allow flower stems to extend. According to the information from the seedling trading website miaomu.w.cn, the main pests and diseases of Calla lilies include bacterial soft rot, aphids, and red spiders. Bacterial soft rot can harm leaves, petioles, and tubers, mainly transmitted by tubers. When the disease first appears, you can use a Bordeaux mixture 500 times spray for prevention and control.
Precautions for Hydroponic Calla Lilies
Calla lilies require fresh air for growth and flowering. They are very sensitive to kitchen fumes and toxic gases, so hydroponic Calla lilies should be placed away from the kitchen to avoid smoke and dust pollution. During the growth period of Calla lilies, they need plenty of sunlight, so in winter, it should be exposed to the sun as much as possible.
Also, when growing Calla lilies hydroponically, pay attention to air circulation. If ventilation is poor and the temperature is higher than the natural temperature, it can lead to pests such as powdery mildew, aphids, and leafrollers. If found, you can use 1500-2000 times of dimethoate solution to kill them.
Hydroponic cultivation of Calla lilies is essentially an oxygen-deficient cultivation, so zero pollution must be achieved. If the nutrient solution is contaminated by microorganisms, it will consume the dissolved oxygen in the water. Therefore, maintaining the cleanliness and inorganic nature of the nutrient solution and keeping the necessary level of dissolved oxygen in the solution is key to hydroponic Calla lilies.
The specific content shared above on how to grow Calla lilies in water and the precautions for hydroponic cultivation of Calla lilies is for everyone's reference and operation.