Planting Tips

Chapter 44 How to grow flowers without soil
There are many problems in soil cultivation of flowers. In families or hotels, the main problems are dust pollution and unhygienic, inconvenient transportation.This disadvantage can be overcome by using soilless cultivation technology, the method is as follows.

(1) Cultivation containers The flowerpots used for soilless cultivation are different from ordinary flowerpots, requiring that the nutrient solution does not leak at the bottom.Therefore, plastic flower pots with trays or siphon water flower pots are ideal.If you can't buy this kind of flower pot, as long as you are satisfied, any bottomless bottle, bowl, cup, bucket, etc. can be used as a container for soilless cultivation of flowers.

(2) Substrate According to the types and habits of the flowers to be cultivated, choose a suitable substrate, taking into account the size of the plant, the weight of the plant, the water holding capacity, and the thickness of the root system.The most commonly used is ceramsite, which has a certain specific gravity and has a good effect on fixing plants.Vermiculite and perlite have good water retention and permeability, and are also good substrates for growing flowers at home.The matrix can be used alone, or mixed or layered. Ceramsite, rock wool and sand can be used alone, while perlite or vermiculite and peat can be mixed at a ratio of 1:1, and peat and sand can be mixed at a ratio of 3:1. Proportion.In short, the substrate is required to provide the best environmental conditions for the growth of plant roots, that is, the best ratio of water and air.

(3) Nutrient solution Nutrient solution, like the substrate, is the core part of soilless cultivation, and is often formulated with mineral nutrients.It is required that the nutrient solution has the elements needed for normal growth of plants and is easy to be used by plants.There are flower nutrient solutions produced by official manufacturers on the market, such as 901 soilless nutrient solution, Zhifu complete nutrient solution, etc., which can be used for soilless cultivation and the effect is quite good.Flower lovers can also prepare their own nutrient solution according to the basic formula.The main components of the nutrient solution are divided into macroelements and trace elements. Here is a formula with more comprehensive elements.Macroelements: potassium nitrate 0.7, calcium nitrate 0.7, superphosphate 0.8, magnesium sulfate 0.3, iron sulfate 0.12.Trace elements: boric acid 0.0006, ammonium molybdate 0.0006, zinc sulfate 0.0006, manganese sulfate 0.0006, copper sulfate 0.0006.The unit of the above quantity is g/L.For various flowers, the types of elements should be flexibly grasped.After weighing the above substances in proportion, add 1 liter of water to make a nutrient solution.

(4) Pay attention to disinfection and cleaning before planting.The soil attached to the root system should be washed clean, and the leaves should also be brushed.Then use formalin or potassium permanganate dilution to disinfect the root system and cultivation medium, so as to ensure that the plants grow well.When planting, plant positioning is the key. Pay attention to the position of the junction point of the rhizome in the pot, which is exactly on the same plane as the surface of the substrate.While supporting the plant with one hand, gradually add substrate to the pot with the other until it is full.Take care to make the substrate as dense as possible to form a good water absorption system.It is best to add substrates of different particle sizes in layers, such as sand at the bottom and ceramsite at the top.

(5) Management The soilless flowers that have just been transplanted should be placed in a place where the light is not strong, and given careful care to slow down the seedlings.

After the nutrient solution is poured into the soilless substrate, the flower root system will not lack water, but attention should be paid to ventilation. The air humidity should be slightly higher than that of soil cultivation, and water or spray can be sprinkled on the ground.Lower the temperature to reduce transpiration.Generally, after slowing down the seedlings for about 1 week, normal management can be carried out.Soilless cultured flowers are watered with nutrient solution every 7 days or so, and the roots and plants are taken out every six months or a year, and washed once to remove the salt accumulated in the roots and substrate.In summer, the weather is hot and the evaporation is large. You can pour some water appropriately to reduce the temperature of the plants, dilute the concentration of the nutrient solution, and prevent wilting.

(End of this chapter)