How to care for hydroponic succulents
The editor will tell you about how to care for hydroponic succulents and the correct method of hydroponic succulent cultivation, as well as knowledge about flowers. If there are any mistakes, please feel free to correct them!
Succulent plants are a favorite of many flower enthusiasts. Their lovely shapes and colorful flowers are irresistible. But do you know? Succulent plants don't necessarily have to be planted in soil; they can also be cared for in water, which is hydroponic succulents.
Hydroponic succulents sound magical and simple, which involves placing the succulent roots in water and letting them grow in it. What are the benefits? First, hydroponic succulents are cleaner and more hygienic, eliminating concerns about pests and bacteria in the soil. Second, hydroponic succulents are easier to manage, requiring no frequent watering or fertilizing, just regular water changes. Lastly, hydroponic succulents are more aesthetically pleasing and fun, as you can use various transparent containers to decorate your hydroponic succulents, making them a beautiful landscape in your home.
So, how do you hydroponically cultivate succulents? It's actually simple, just master the following methods and precautions, and you can easily raise beautiful plants in water!
Method 1: Root Washing Hydroponics
This is the most common method of hydroponic succulents, suitable for those already rooted succulents grown in soil. The steps are as follows:
- Remove the succulents from the pot, clean the roots, and remove the attached soil and dead rootlets.
- Prepare a transparent glass bottle or other container, fill it with 2/3 clean water (preferably tap water or mineral water), and immerse the succulent roots in the water, making sure not to let the succulent touch the water.
- Place the container in a bright, indirect light area. Change the water daily during the initial hydroponic stage, and then decide on the water change frequency based on the water turbidity after new white roots appear.
- To supplement nutrients, add 2 drops of nutrient solution (can be a special hydroponic solution or diluted liquid fertilizer) to the water during each water change to allow the succulents to grow vigorously.
Method 2: Cutting Hydroponics
This is a special method of hydroponic succulents, suitable for those without roots or with unhealthy roots. The steps are as follows:
- Remove the succulents without roots or with unhealthy roots from the pot, and cut the stem (about 5 cm long) with a sterilized scissor or blade.
- Place the cut succulents in a shaded, well-ventilated area to dry the cut surface and prevent bacterial and fungal infections.
- Prepare a transparent glass bottle or other container filled with water (preferably tap water or mineral water), place the succulent near the bottle opening, with the cut surface about 0.5 cm from the water surface, and do not let the cut touch the water.
- Place the container in a bright, indirect light area. Observe the cut of the succulent daily, and when small white roots appear, immerse the roots in water, making sure not to let the succulent touch the water.
- When the succulent roots grow to about 2 cm, you can continue hydroponic care or switch to soil cultivation.
Precaution 1: Control Water Level
The water level of hydroponic succulents is very important. If the water level is too high, it can lead to root rot due to oxygen deficiency. If the water level is too low, it can cause dehydration. Therefore, we need to adjust the water level based on the root length and environmental humidity of the succulents.
Generally, the roots of the succulents only need to be immersed in water for about one-third, with the remaining two-thirds exposed to the air for breathing. If the weather is dry or the succulent roots are long, you can slightly increase the water level. If the weather is humid or the succulent roots are short, you can slightly decrease the water level.
In addition, we need to regularly observe the condition of the succulents. If any abnormal phenomena such as stretching, flat growth, discoloration, or softening are found, the water level and light should be adjusted in a timely manner.
How to care for hydroponic succulents
Precaution 2: Maintain Ventilation
Proper ventilation is also important for hydroponic succulents. Poor ventilation can lead to suffocation due to oxygen deficiency. Therefore, we need to choose containers with good breathability, such as wide-mouthed glass bottles or plant baskets, to hold the hydroponic succulents, allowing air to circulate around the roots.
In addition, we need to change the water and oxygenate regularly. Changing the water can remove impurities and harmful substances in the water, keeping it clean. Oxygenation can increase the dissolved oxygen in the water, allowing the succulent roots to breathe more smoothly. The method of changing water and oxygenating is simple: pour out the old water in the container, add fresh water, and gently shake the container to allow air into the water.
Precaution 3: Add Nutrients
Although succulent plants have low nutritional requirements, long-term care with only clean water is insufficient. If only clean water is used to care for succulents, it can lead to slow growth, reduced size, and faded flower color. Therefore, we need to add some nutrient solutions to hydroponic succulents.
The nutrient solution can be a special hydroponic solution or diluted liquid fertilizer. We can add 2 drops of nutrient solution (not too much) to the fresh water during each water change to allow the succulents to absorb the necessary elements. In addition, we can also spray the leaf surface with some trace elements or plant growth regulators to enhance the disease resistance and growth of the succulents.
The above is a comprehensive introduction to how to care for hydroponic succulents and the correct method of hydroponic succulent cultivation brought by the Green Enthusiast Network, hoping to provide some related knowledge of green plants for green enthusiasts.