Hydroponics allows you to achieve the most ideal results when growing a particular plant. And, although the idea of ​​growing an "ideal" plant has different meanings for humans, hydroponic methods cater to everyone's needs. For example, an orchid fanatic might define the ideal plant as one of rare variety, color, or symmetry. For a commercial tomato grower, the ideal plant can be determined by rapidity of growth, disease resistance, palatability and long shelf life.

The site contains a large database of various plant cultures suitable for growing hydroponically, as well as recommendations for their cultivation.

bulbous plants

Bulbous plants are well suited for room culture. Vermiculite is an ideal medium for bulbs, as it always retains optimal moisture and contains enough moisture to allow the plant to be left unattended all day long. However, for the success of the bulbous pot culture, it is necessary to strictly follow the recommendations listed below.

First of all, you need to plant the bulbs in capillary pots. When planting, the hyacinth bulb should be only half in vermiculite. All bulbs should be planted immediately after purchase, as they quickly become soft and begin to rot. Stock nutrients in bulbs with normal moisture is enough to form roots. However, excessive moisture should be avoided before the bulbs begin to germinate. Before planting the bulbs, the vermiculite must be well moistened. In the future, as the vermiculite dries, water should be added in very small portions.

Good results in my practice gives the following technique. After planting, I put the pots in a dark room or in a closet. For ventilation, I leave the doors open for some time. If possible, I maintain the temperature at about 13 °. As soon as the sprouts reach a length of 2.5 cm, I transfer the pots to the darkest place in the room, since they should be transferred gradually to full daylight hours. It takes about three months for the development of the root system and the formation of a green sprout 2.5 cm long. After a week or 10 days, the pots can be switched to full light and begin to regularly feed the plants with a nutrient solution.

In everite trays, the bulbs are placed at a distance of 5 cm from each other. Once the plants have finished blooming, there is no need to keep them in pots unless you want to grow your own bulbs for planting next season. IN room conditions hyacinths, tulips, daffodils, amaryllis, buttercups, tigrinum lilies, crocuses, freesias, gladioli, lilies of the valley and tuberoses grow very well in vermiculite pots.

Spices

Mint, sage, thyme, tarragon all grow very well in hydroponic conditions. Many of them produce yields that allow the transition to industrial culture. The homeland of most of the herbs used in our time is on the banks of mediterranean sea and in the territory east of the Mediterranean Sea up to India. These are countries with a hot climate, so crops of herbs should be located in sunny places.

essential oil plants

Hydroponics, apparently, will be greatly developed in the desert regions of the globe, where land is cheap, and powerful plants are being built to desalinate sea water. The climatic conditions of some deserts are ideal for essential oil and medicinal crops. Thanks to optimal pH and balanced nutrient solutions, the quality of essential oils is greatly enhanced. It is well known that the quality of oil obtained from essential oil plants, such as mint and lavender, is highly dependent on soil type and weather conditions. By careful selection of the nutrient mixture and the optimal pH, the quality can be influenced. essential oil. With conventional agricultural practices, weed control plays an important role, which can degrade the quality of the essential oil of a cultivated plant. Hydroponic beds are weed free and can be cut and left in place until shipped to the factory.

In arid areas where ionized water is used for irrigation, windproof palos should also be created from essential oil shrubs. Very suitable for South and South West Africa Leptospermum citratum- one of the types of tea bush from Australia. As soon as the bushes reach a height of 1.5 m, they can be trimmed annually, like a regular green hedge. All cut branches are used for distillation and an oil is obtained, which is easily sold in the soap industry. The oil content is 1-1.5%, and the oil itself contains 75-85% citralaldehydes, which, when split, give 50% citral and 35% citronellal.

The following four types of mint grow well under hydroponic conditions: Mentha piperita- peppermint, Mentha arvensis- field mint, M. spicata- green mint M. pulegii- swamp mint. The essential oil of the first of these types is widely used for the preparation of first-class sweets and liqueurs. The second type of oil is used in the pharmaceutical industry for the preparation of cough mixtures, for the preparation of menthol. The third type of oil is necessary for the production of chewing gum, the fourth - for the pharmaceutical industry. A typical hydroponic bed produces 450 g of essential oil, which corresponds to 112 kg of oil per 1 ha.

The possibility of hydroponic culture has been established: dill, coriander, fennel, geranium, vetiver, goldenrod and yarrow, which also provide essential oils.

Essential oil crops are grown by dry top dressing. Pallets are made one brick high above the ground. The depth of the trench is usually at least 30 cm. Before filling the pan with sand and vermiculite, the quality of the drainage is checked. Gravel, stone and other materials are not suitable for growing essential oil plants using the dry top dressing method.

medicinal plants

Plant roots grow well in vermiculite, so industrial hydroponics of medicinal plants grown for their roots can be cost-effective. Experiments have shown that belladonna, ipecac, aconite, ephedra, gentian, dandelion, ginger, jateoriza digitalis and turmeric give in hydroponic conditions good harvests. Gentian is used in the composition of medicines more often than other root medicinal plants. An infusion of gentian roots is added to bitter tonics. It grows well in hydroponic beds and produces high quality roots. The same can be said about yateoriza digitata, which comes from East Africa.

In plants such as Datura, belladonna, foxglove, leaves are used. Datura is found as a weed in many parts of South Africa, and when cultivated gives a good cash income. Desert areas can be used under license under strict control for the cultivation of crops that produce drugs, such as opium. The yield per unit of hydroponic area is highly consistent and can serve as a control in its own right.

Plants whose flowers are used for medicinal purposes, such as Roman and Dalmatian chamomile, also produce good yields in hydroponic conditions.

Regulated nutrition and optimal pH allow you to get medicinal plants that exactly meet their specific requirements. For example, with a hydroponic culture of belladonna and other alkaloid plants, it will be possible to increase the content of alkaloids by 20% compared to their amount in plants grown in soil.

Seaweed

IN last years found that some algae can serve very important source food. One such algae is called chlorella. Hydroponic cultivation may in the future be widely developed in deserts. Chlorella grows very fast, gaining 3,000 times its weight in 2-3 days. From 40 to 80 tons of product can be obtained per year from 0.4 ha. Chlorella contains many times more vitamins than an orange, and is much richer in protein than meat.

Proteins, fats, sugars and vitamins can be extracted from chlorella cells to be added to other foods such as bread and margarine. Thus, malnutrition could forever be a thing of the past. Chlorella fats can replace others vegetable oils used to make soaps, drying oils, varnishes and paints. By sublimation of dry chlorella, chemical substances, similar to those obtained from coal. Fermentation of this alga produces methane, which is used as a fuel for gas generators.

Literature

• Bentley M. Industrial hydroponics. - M.: Kolos Publishing House, 1965. - 819 p.

Although some growers are still somewhat skeptical of the hydroponics method, it has long been widely used in the home, despite the fact that it is quite expensive.

The idea behind the method is quite simple: in order for plants to grow and bloom, they need light, air, water, heat, and nutrients. The soil is not so necessary if the roots can get the minerals necessary for the growth of the plant from the nutrient solution.

Necessary equipment

The plant is placed in a special hydropot. It consists of an outer decorative vessel and an inner one. The inner vessel is usually made of plastic. Its bottom and walls are provided with holes so that the roots can get enough oxygen and minerals. The inner vessel is filled with the substrate in which the plant is planted. Expanded clay with a granule size of 2 to 16 mm is usually used as a substrate. It is chemically neutral and thanks to its porous structure provides good water and breathability. A liquid level indicator is also installed in the inner vessel. This pot is placed in an outer vessel containing a liquid nutrient solution. The outer vessel must be absolutely waterproof, stable, comfortable and beautiful. Plastic containers are the most common, but there are also ceramic containers and those made of metal (only with plastic coating) or wood (with plastic or film coating).

The liquid level indicator is a plastic tube with a float inside and a scale showing the level of the nutrient solution in the outer vessel (minimum - 0, optimal - 1, maximum - 2).

Proper watering

An important advantage of the hydroponics method is that there is no need for frequent watering. After all, the plant is in a vessel with a certain supply of water, so it needs less moisture than when grown in soil. This is especially convenient if you are going to leave for a long time. The fact that it is necessary to add water can be exactly found out by the liquid level indicator. Thanks to this, any errors in watering are excluded. The solution level in the outer vessel should be 2-3 cm below the bottom of the inner vessel. It is best to add water when the indicator float is at "minimum". This does not mean that the nutrient solution is completely used up. As a rule, its layer is another 1-2 cm. So even in this case, you can wait 1-2 days with watering. Then fill the outer pot with warm water until the liquid indicator stops at the “optimum” mark. Water should be topped up to the maximum mark only in exceptional cases - for example, when you are going to leave for a long time. If you do this regularly, then there will be a danger of root rot due to lack of oxygen.

Although watering plants in hydroponics is so easy, problems can still arise if the liquid level indicator is blocked by roots or expanded clay granules. Then, despite the fact that you regularly water the plant, the pointer will always be at the "minimum". If you have any doubts, carefully remove the inner pot and check the pointer.

Feeding hydroponically grown plants

Ordinary fertilizers are not suitable for hydroculture due to their composition. Firstly, they often contain too few trace elements, and secondly, the risk of overdose would be too great. After all, the soil to some extent serves as a shock absorber and can prevent the harm that an excess of salts would cause to the plant. In the case of hydroculture, the plant is much more likely to suffer from too high a salt content in the nutrient solution.

In specialized stores there is a large selection of liquid or mineral hydrofertilizers, which, in terms of composition and action, are specially designed for hydroculture.

Depending on package directions, they should be added to the nutrient solution at intervals of four to eight weeks. So-called ion-exchange fertilizers are especially convenient. As already mentioned in the chapter "Correct watering", in the usual tap water in addition to other substances, it also contains a small amount of calcium (Ca) and chlorine (Cl). Since these particles have an electrical charge, they are called ions. Ion-exchange fertilizers (Lewatit) consist of small balls of synthetic resin containing mineral ions.

When fertilizer enters the nutrient solution, mineral ions are displaced by water ions and become available to the plant. For the use of ion exchange fertilizers, hard water is best, as it contains ions suitable for exchange. An important advantage of this type of fertilizer is that the mineral ions of mineral substances enter the nutrient solution gradually. A portion of fertilizer is enough for 4-6 months, and there is practically no excess of minerals with the correct dosage.

You can use synthetic resin particles in powder or tablet form. With a large enough volume of the outer pot, Lewatit can be placed in the so-called nutrient battery, which is simply placed on the bottom of the outer vessel in a pre-prepared tray.

At first there were problems when using Lewatitya with soft water. Such water does not contain enough calcium ions necessary for metabolism. As a result, too few minerals enter the nutrient solution. However, with the advent of Lewatitya HD 5 plus, ion-exchange fertilizers appeared that can be used with water of any degree of hardness, that is, with soft water too.

Hydroponic Plant Care

Of course, plants grown in a nutrient solution have the same needs as plants living in soil. However, it is still worth paying attention to some features in the care.

Change of nutrient solution

Transplanting a plant from soil to hydroculture. 1. Water the plant abundantly, remove it from the pot and clean the roots from the ground. 2. Rinse the roots with warm water so that not even the slightest bit of soil remains on them. 3. Cut off damaged, rotten or too long roots. 4. Place the plant in the water pot as described in the text and water.

Since when using liquid fertilizers for hydroculture, an overabundance of minerals harmful to the plant can occur, the nutrient solution is completely replaced every two to three years. At the same time, the vessels and expanded clay are thoroughly washed. If you use ion-exchange fertilizers, then you can not be afraid of an overabundance of minerals. In this case, the nutrient solution is replaced only if, for example, it is contaminated with plant residues.

To clean, remove the inner vessel and pull out the water level indicator. Rinse the vessel and expanded clay with warm water for five minutes. Also clean the outer vessel and the liquid level indicator. Then put everything back together, fill the outer pot with fresh water and add fertilizer.

plant hygiene

When growing plants in a nutrient solution, it is necessary to remove dead plant parts in a timely manner and ensure that they do not fall into the solution.

Water temperature

When growing plants using the hydroponic method, problems often arise due to too low a temperature of the nutrient solution. Optimum temperature oxen is considered 20C. However, if the pot with the plant is on a stone window sill and without any wooden stand, then in the cold season the temperature of the solution may become below critical.

Possible difficulties

The most common pests are thrips, different types aphids and spider mites. With diseases caused by fungi or bacteria, you are unlikely to have to deal with. If the outer vessel is made of glass or plexiglass, the nutrient solution may bloom. In this case, the solution must be changed and additionally inserted into the outer vessel some kind of light-tight container.

Transfer

Even if you chose a large enough pot when you bought it, the plant's roots may need more space over time. A transplant is necessary if the roots occupy almost the entire vessel, so that there is almost no room for expanded clay in it. It is recommended to choose a large enough inner pot from the start so that the plant does not have to be repotted too often.

New expanded clay should be moistened before transplanting. Of course, the same expanded clay can be used several times. It is unlikely to contain any pathogens, and you just need to wash it properly. But first, put a small layer of fresh expanded clay into the inner vessel. Place in pot plant cut too long roots with scissors.

The plant should be at about the same depth as before transplanting. Then carefully fill the pot with expanded clay. At the same time, knock the pot on the pallet two or three times so that the expanded clay is properly distributed among the roots. If you want to put several plants in one pot, make sure that their location requirements and the level of acidity of the nutrient solution are approximately the same.

reproduction

Of course, you can also grow your own propagated plants using hydroponics. It is only important to make sure that there is no earth left on their roots, and it would not get into the nutrient solution. It is best to take plants that have taken root in a glass of water and place them in a nutrient solution as described above.

Place the pot in a warm and bright, but not sunny place, and for the first two to three weeks after transplanting, keep the plants under the film to protect them from excessive evaporation of moisture.

Transplanting plants from soil to hydroculture

First of all, young, well-growing and healthy plants are suitable for transplanting from soil to hydroculture. Since hydroponically grown plants should develop thick, fleshy roots (instead of the usual thin fibrous ones), some problems may arise when transplanting.

During this transitional period, the plant becomes as tender as an unrooted cutting. It is best to proceed as follows:

• Water the plant well the day before transplanting.
• Remove the plant from the pot and free the roots from the lumps of earth.
• Rinse the roots with warm water so that there is absolutely no earth left on them.
• Cut off rotten, damaged or too long roots with scissors or a knife.
• Place the plant in the waterpot as described above.
• Fill the outer vessel with lukewarm water without adding fertilizer (so that the liquid level indicator stops at the “optimum” mark).
• To protect the plant from excessive evaporation of moisture, cover it with plastic wrap for two to three weeks.
• Start top dressing when the liquid level indicator drops to "minimum".

What plants can be grown hydroponically

Until now, this method has been used mainly for growing ornamental plants. However, lovers of variegated colors can also recommend several types of decorative flowering plants. True, some types of plants are especially demanding, and it is more difficult to care for them.

Least suitable for growing in hydroponics:

• Plants that form tubers or rhizomes - because if they are not properly watered, they rot very quickly (for example, cyclamen).
• Short-lived plants that will have to be replaced too quickly (for example, exacum).
• Plants that need to be cleaned frequently: for example, tall begonia or balsam, you will have to constantly clean off wilted flowers or leaves so that they do not get into the nutrient solution.
• Plants that grow roots very quickly - as they will often have to be transplanted (for example, cyperus or chlorophytum).
• Plants that require cool temperatures during their dormant period to flower. In this case, the temperature of the nutrient solution becomes lower than the critical one. A hydrangea, clivia, or azalea may react with root rot.

Ornamental leaf and ornamental flowering plants suitable for growing in hydroponics (optional) Russian name Notes ornamental plants Aglaonema suitable for shady places Asparagus feels good even at relatively low temperatures Aspelenium feed carefully, sensitive to excess minerals cissus at temperatures below 15 "C, spots appear on the leaves dieffenbachia at temperatures below 18 "C, rotting of the stem may begin Hovea very hardy ficus benjamina variegated varieties should be placed in a bright place Monstera if the humidity is too high, root rot can easily begin Shefler susceptible to attack by spider mites and thrips Epipremnum favorite groundcover for hydropots decorative flowering plants Anthurium necessary condition flowering is sufficiently high humidity bilbergia forms many offspring, so it can be easily propagated by yourself poinsettia pruning is necessary after flowering; Re-blooming requires shorter daylight hours Hibiscus subject to attack by aphids and spider mites Hoya when too high level water may cause root rot Kalanchoe pruning is necessary after flowering; Re-blooming requires shorter daylight hours Usambar violet favorite ornamental miniature plant in hydroponic arrangements Nightshade elegant berries can last for several months Spathiphyllum very common, quite unpretentious and easy to bloom streptocarpus on hit cold water spots appear on the leaves

Creating a green corner in the apartment does not always require a significant investment of time and effort. It is easy to make sure of this - just include a ficus bearing the name of Benjamin in the home flower garden. In Latin, its name sounds the same - Ficus Benjamina. He is a real find for those who are just starting their experiments in growing indoor flowers, and for very busy people. It is effective and relatively unpretentious, lends itself well to shaping and quickly adapts to changing conditions. The evergreen ficus Benjamin looks very different from other representatives of its kind, which only enhances interest in it.

Lighting

The path of the plant to indoor gardens was a long one, and it originates from tropical and subtropical latitudes. Wild varieties of ficus Benjamin are found in India, China, southeast Asia, the northern part of the Australian continent and the Philippine Islands. The climate of these places provides them with maximum comfort, giving the trees a lot sun rays and warmth. Good lighting is the key to success in growing a flower and at home. Shading affects Benjamin's ficus not in the best way: its growth slows down, and its decorative effect is greatly reduced in its variegated representatives.

The bright sun does not like the flower. Under its direct rays, the delicate leaves of the plant are covered with burns and turn yellow. When caring for a tree, you need to take care of diffused lighting. The best option will put a pot of ficus Benjamin by the window or on a windowsill facing southeast, east or west.

In the warm season, the flower can be taken out to the loggia, balcony or veranda, placing it in partial shade.

In late autumn and winter, when it gets dark early, the ficus will have to be illuminated artificially. Safely endure a difficult period at home, special phytolamps will help him. The flower reacts sharply to the lack of light: its leaves fall off, and development stops. Abrupt changes in the conditions of detention also affect him badly.

If necessary, transfer the pot with the tree to a darker room, Benjamin's ficus is gradually prepared for the "move". But it is more correct to immediately determine a permanent place for the plant. If it was not possible to avoid trouble and the flower fell off, there is no need to rush to throw it away. Having provided the tree proper care, you can count on a gradual restoration of a lush crown, although this process will not be fast.

Temperature and Humidity

Ficus Benjamin is thermophilic. He feels good if the air in the room with him warms up to at least 25 ° C in summer. But in extreme heat, when the thermometer rises above the 30 ° C mark, he suffers. In winter, the plant needs coolness, during this period at home the temperature is optimal for it in the region of 16-18 ° C.

If in summer time a flower pot is on the street, you will have to constantly monitor the weather forecast. On cool evenings, when the temperature drops below 15°C, it will need to be brought indoors. Otherwise, do not be surprised that the ficus fell off. The plant does not tolerate hypothermia of the soil, as well as drafts. Because of them, the growth of the tree stops. It is also impossible to allow sudden changes in temperature when growing ficus Benjamin at home.

Proper flower care includes regular spraying. One of the main reasons why leaves fall on a tree is dry air. You will have to spray it daily, repeating the procedure 1-2 times. This care is especially important in winter period when the operation of heating devices dries the air a lot.

It is desirable to increase the humidity of the air in other ways:

• special devices;
• placing containers with water or wet moss around the flower;
• placing the pot on a pallet filled with wet expanded clay.

Watering

It is possible to grow a tall and densely leafy Benjamin ficus only if the watering of the flower is properly organized. Its frequency is determined by the conditions of the tree:

• air temperature;
• its humidity;
• plant age;
• degree of illumination;
• season.

It is also necessary to take into account the features of the Benjamin ficus variety chosen for breeding.

In the summer, they start the next watering when the earthen ball in the pot dries out by 2-3 cm. winter time such care is carried out less frequently, reducing the amount of fluid introduced. But the soil should remain slightly moist during the dormant period. The plant cannot be flooded. This is fraught with the development of a dangerous disease - root rot - and the appearance of dark spots on the ficus leaves. The lack of moisture is also dangerous: because of it, the tree sheds leaves and becomes vulnerable to spider mites.

The procedure itself is properly carried out in several stages. So the soil lump is saturated with water more evenly. Ficus Benjamin does not like stagnant moisture at the roots, so they plant it in a pot with drainage holes. The liquid accumulated in the pan after watering is removed when 30 minutes have passed since it ended.

Moisten the flower with settled or boiled water. It should not be cold, its optimal temperature is room temperature. Ficus Benjamin responds well to warm shower. It is carried out every 2.5-3 weeks, making sure that water does not get into the pot. After completing the procedure, the plant is left in the bathroom until the drops of water on the leaves dry. This will protect it from hypothermia.

Such a shower solves several problems at once:

• provides the flower with the necessary moisture;
• washes away dust and dirt from its leaves;
• used instead of irrigation.

top dressing

With the entry of ficus Benjamin into the phase of intensive growth (spring-summer), top dressing is included in its care. They are carried out in the root way. Fertilizers of an organic and mineral nature are suitable for a flower, but they need to be alternated, introducing one or the other alternately. Given the difficult nature of the flower, you can purchase a special composition for it, designed to feed ficuses or decorative foliage crops. In winter, when the plant falls into a dormant period, top dressing is stopped.

The frequency of procedures is determined by seasonality.

• From March to April, nutritional formulations are applied once a month.
• In May, the interval between top dressing is reduced to 3 weeks.
• In summer, Benjamin's ficus is watered with a fertilizer solution every 2 weeks.

In the spring, it is better to feed the tree with compounds containing a lot of nitrogen. This will allow him to form a lush crown. Closer to winter, it is worth switching to fertilizers rich in other elements. In combination with a lack of light, nitrogen can cause the plant to stretch and weaken it.

When planning a ficus transplant, you can forget about top dressing for the next 2 months. The new soil is already enriched with nutrients that the plant will have enough for this period.

Pot replacement

Tree transplantation is carried out in spring or summer. There may be several reasons for it:

• ficus roots braided the entire soil clod and appeared from the drainage holes;
• the earth in a pot dries quickly;
• the flower was recently purchased, and the soil in the container with it is transport, which does not provide the plant with normal conditions for development;
• the tree was attacked by fungal and other diseases.

Young Benjamin ficuses (under the age of 4 years) need an annual transplant. For older plants, the pot is replaced less frequently - once every 2-3 years. But the top layer of soil in a container with them is updated every spring.

The pot is chosen not too large, otherwise it will be more difficult for the tree to take root and its growth will slow down. The diameter of the container should differ from the previous one by a maximum of 3 cm.

Ficus Benjamin develops well in loose soil with neutral acidity. The composition of the following components is ideal for him:

• sod land;
• leaf land;
• grassroots peat;
• sand.

The components are mixed in a ratio of 2:1:1:1. If it is not possible to prepare a substrate suitable for the plant, you can purchase ready soil. A thick layer of drainage is laid on the bottom of the pot and lightly sprinkled with earth, after which they proceed to transplant.

It is carried out at home, transferring the plant from one container to another. Having watered the ficus well and holding it by the trunk, it is carefully removed from the old pot and placed in a new one. Upper layer soil must be removed, but it is not worth shaking the earth from the roots. They are quite fragile at the flower and are easily injured. If this happens, the transplanted plant will be sick for a long time, and its growth rate will be greatly reduced. Putting the ficus in a pot, the voids are filled with a fresh substrate, slightly crushing it. The tree is given 2 days to adapt, after which they return to the usual watering regimen.

Reproduction features

Reproduction of ficus Benjamin is carried out in 2 ways:

• cuttings;
• air outlets.

A new tree can be grown by cutting off the top of an older shoot with a couple of leaves and placing it in water or wet sand. The container with the cuttings is left in a bright place, periodically changing the liquid to fresh. When roots appear on them, they are planted in loose soil. At this stage, caring for the ficus is easy, you just need to make sure that the substrate is constantly slightly moist.

In order for the cutting to take root faster, it is provided with greenhouse conditions by placing it under a glass jar or film. The shelter is removed when the young ficus begins to grow. You can root the stalk and immediately in the soil. If the substrate does not dry out, there will be no difficulties in such a matter as propagating the plant.

An air layer from Benjamin's ficus is obtained by cutting its trunk in a circle. Such reproduction is usually practiced if the flower has fallen. From above, wet moss is applied to the wound and wrapped with a film so that air does not get under it, and water does not evaporate. It will take about 2 months for the tree to form new roots. When this happens, the trunk will need to be cut off, and the layering will need to be planted in a pot.

Reproduction of ficus Benjamin will be successful only in the spring and summer. If the plant has entered the dormant phase, it does not make sense to spend energy on rooting cuttings.

crown formation

Pruning ficus Benjamin, combined with pinching, allows the grower to show imagination. A plant can be formed in different ways. It tolerates the pruning procedure well, but it is recommended to carry it out in the spring. So the tree will wake up axillary buds - the ancestors of new shoots - and its crown will turn out to be more magnificent.

You need to cut the flower with secateurs, having previously treated its blades with alcohol. Suitable for disinfection and a weak solution of potassium permanganate. It is not worth greatly shortening the main trunk, by a maximum of 20 cm. After the procedure, at least 5 leaves should remain on it. Pruning side shoots does not obey strict rules, it all depends on the desire of the grower. Having completed the formation of the crown, fresh wounds are treated with crushed charcoal. This will help prevent diseases of the tree and stop the secretion of milky juice. Adult Ficus Benjamin often requires thinning pruning. Too dense crown deprives some of the shoots of light, and the leaves on them begin to die.

You can form a flower as a stem. To do this, cut off all the side branches of the ficus, except for 5 located at the top. To make a beautiful floor stem, they should be at a height of 1 m. If the tree is on the table, the formation is carried out lower - at a distance of 40 cm from its surface. By the same principle, a stem is formed, consisting of several levels. Leaving 5 shoots on the tree, 30-50 cm of the trunk above them are exposed. This is followed by new 5 shoots and another 30-50 cm of empty space. young plant it is better to provide support in the form of a trellis. Having become stronger, the flower will not need it.

A beautiful shape is also given to the trunk of ficus Benjamin. To do this, 2-3 plants are placed in one container. They should be located close to each other so that their trunks can be twisted together. Weaving can be different: a braid, a tourniquet, an abstract form - it all depends on the design idea. Fasten the shoots with trellises and clamps, not forgetting to loosen them as necessary.

Why do ficus benjamin leaves turn yellow

Yellowing and flying around the leaves of ficus Benjamin is not always a signal of trouble. In the autumn-winter period, this is a normal process for the plant. Stem formation requires the flower to shed its lower leaves. Approximately a tenth or twentieth part of them falls off. You should not be afraid of this - with the advent of spring, new ones will appear in their place.

If the leaves on the ficus suddenly began to turn yellow in spring and summer, most likely, the technology of its cultivation was violated. In this case, you need:

• revise the irrigation regime;
• remove the pot from the draft;
• provide the plant with a comfortable temperature for it;
• check if the flower has enough lighting;
• make sure that there are no pests on the tree (spider mites, scale insects, aphids, mealybugs).

Beyond yellowing feature excessive moisture - the presence white plaque on the leaves. If he appeared, the tree must be urgently saved. From the swampy soil, it is transplanted into a new substrate, after removing the rotten roots. Yellowing of the leaves of ficus Benjamin may be accompanied by the appearance on them inside small black spots. This is a wake-up call, signaling a clear violation of agricultural technology, which can lead to the gradual death of the plant.

Do not delay with first aid measures and when pests are detected. From aphids, ficus Benjamin will quickly relieve spraying with a solution laundry soap. In the fight against other dangerous insects, preparations with insecticidal action will come to the rescue.

Another reason for the yellowing of the leaves of Benjamin's ficus is a lack of minerals. What fertilizers to feed the flower can be judged by the localization of the problem. If it affects only the old leaves located on the lower branches, there is a lack of magnesium. Yellowing of young leaves of the plant indicates a lack of iron.

Ficus Benjamin is an interesting flower that, with proper care all year round will delight the eye with the splendor of the crown and bright colors. And numerous variegated plant varieties also attract attention with a variety of bizarre patterns. At home, the height of the flower can reach up to 2-3 m, but here everything is in the hands of its owner. If you want to save space in the apartment, you can also form a plant as a small tree that will decorate a table or shelf.

There is an opinion that caring for Benjamin's ficus is not easy because of his capriciousness. Actually it is not. The flower has certain requirements for the conditions of detention, but even beginners in gardening can cope with their implementation. Providing the plant permanent place, good lighting, heat, high humidity, lack of drafts, compliance with the watering and fertilizing regime will allow you to grow a truly luxurious tree.

The method of growing plants in hydroponics is to refuse the use of a soil mixture. Instead, an artificial substrate and a nutrient solution are used, from which the roots receive all the substances necessary for the culture. Mastering the technology of hydroponics is not difficult for you, and if this technique seems effective to you, you can gradually transfer most of your “green pets” to it.

And for indoor plants hydroponics has its advantages: in expanded clay, airing of the roots is ensured, since this material does not compact, like earth for flowers. But there are some rules you should follow when growing flowers in hydroponics, especially with regard to watering and top dressing. It is somewhat more difficult to transfer plants from the ground to hydroponics, but this technology is quite possible to master.

Growing home flowers in hydroponics: equipment and materials

Hydroponic plants are water crops. For life, such crops require only water enriched with nutrients.

To grow plants in hydroponics, you will need the following equipment and supplies.

Capacities. Unlike keeping plants in the ground, two containers are always used here.

• An inner plastic pot with holes or slots where the claydite holding the plant is located. This pot also has a fixture for attaching a water level gauge.
• The outer pot is selected in such a size that it fits the inner pot. It can be made of waterproof ceramic or plastic - it's a matter of taste and financial possibilities. The outer vessel contains the nutrient solution (water with dissolved fertilizer). There are also larger containers in which they put several inner pots with plants.

Water level indicator. This is a very important piece of equipment for home hydroponics, it is a plastic tube with a float that signals you when to add water. The index has a three-level scale: minimum, optimum and maximum. There is a mark on the top end of the float that tells you when to add the nutrient solution.

Supports. If a plant in the ground rests on a trellis of twigs, then a plant of the same species in hydroponics needs the same trellis. The only difference is that only plastic supports should be used in hydroponics. For climbing and climbing plants, there are special supports that are fixed at the bottom of the inner pot, and also lengthened with nozzles. This home hydroponics equipment is made of plastic with a rough surface or covered with cork. Supports from natural material, such as bamboo or rattan, should not be used in hydroponics.

Expanded clay. The famous brown balls are needed to keep the plant in the pot. Expanded clay from specialized gardening stores should be used, as expanded clay used in construction often contains salts that can harm plants. Expanded clay for hydroponics comes in three different fractions, the smallest of which is suitable mainly for cuttings. The longer the water supply should be kept, the larger fraction of expanded clay should be used.

Care of houseplants in hydroponics

Many agro-care measures for the care of flowers when grown in hydroponics are no different from caring for plants in a soil culture.

Location. If a plant in the ground loves the sun, then in hydroponics it needs a sunny place.

Pruning. Shortening shoots, removing wilted parts of the plant, cleaning the leaves - all this when growing plants in hydroponics is done in the same way as species growing in the ground.

Protection. Pest control remains much the same, even if some claim that hydroponic flowers never get sick. What hydroponic plants don't have are certain pests, such as nematodes, that can only exist in the ground. Aphids, spider mites, whiteflies occur both on those and on other species. And the measures to combat them are almost the same.

Transfer. Hydroponic plants at home should also be repotted when so many roots have formed in the inner pot that there is no room for expanded clay. It's time when its roots have already crushed the pot. Unlike vessels with earth, take a large enough container. In this case, there will be more time until the next transplant, and the roots will remain dormant longer.

Watering. If this is your first time growing hydroponically at home, then pour enough water so that the level indicator rises only to the middle mark, in no case more. When watering plants in hydroponics, some features should be considered:

• Add water or nutrient solution only when the red pointer reaches the "minimum" mark.
• If the water level is constantly maintained at the maximum level, then soon all voids with air will be filled with water and the plant will choke, just as it happens with plants in the ground if they are watered too much.
• Topping up water when growing plants on home hydroponics with your own hands to the maximum mark should only be done by very many drinking plants, placed in a sunny place, or when leaving on vacation.
• When the level indicator has reached the minimum mark, it is better to postpone watering for another two to three days.
• Sometimes it happens that the water level indicator still remains at the maximum mark after 2 weeks. In this case, you should carefully remove the inner pot from the outer one and check whether expanded clay balls or too long roots interfere with the level indicator. Important As with soil cultivation, warm water should be used for hydroponic plants. Nutrient solution temperatures below 15°C are harmful to plants.

What fertilizers are needed for growing plants in hydroponics?

Water alone is not enough to feed the plant. To obtain a good nutrient solution, fertilizer must be added to the water. Ordinary flower fertilizers are suitable for this only conditionally. It is necessary to use a special fertilizer that contains nutrients in a form that is easily absorbed by plants.

Fertilizers for hydroponics are sold mainly in the form of liquid concentrated or so-called ion-exchange fertilizers. Liquid fertilizers They simultaneously regulate the pH of the water. This means that they can be used for tap water of any quality, even with a high lime content. Liquid fertilizers are added to the irrigation water according to the dosage instructions on the packaging.

Ion exchange fertilizers. When using an ion exchanger, you only need to fertilize once every 4-5 months. Follow the application recommendations and determine the next fertilization time. Similar fertilizers exist:

• In granular form, the appropriate portion of which is poured onto expanded clay and washed off with water;
• In the form of a nutritious battery, which is attached to the bottom of the inner pot.

DIY hydroponics nutrient solution change

From time to time, you should completely change the hydroponic nutrient solution and wash the pots. When using liquid fertilizers, this should be done after about 8 weeks, and when using ion exchangers, only when a new portion of fertilizer is applied after 4-5 months.

If you use a hydroponics nutrient solution for too long, constantly adding fertilizer to it, then some salts that are not consumed by plants accumulate in it in such a concentration that they damage the roots. When changing the solution and washing the pots, expanded clay and plant roots are washed at the same time.

Changing your hydroponic nutrient solution is very easy. Do it like this:

• Remove the inner pot from the outer.
• Take out the water level indicator.
• Put the pot in the bath and rinse the expanded clay for 10 minutes with water from the shower (not lower than 15 ° C).
• The outer pot should also be thoroughly rinsed to remove any remaining old nutrient solution.
• Place the inner pot with the water level indicator back into the outer pot.
• Pour in the nutrient solution.

Converting houseplants to hydroponics (with video)

Having gained the first experience of keeping plants in hydroponics at home with your own hands, you may have a desire to transfer all plants to this system. For many cultures, this is not difficult, but sometimes plants do not tolerate this procedure. Greatest Chances young, not yet very large, healthy plants are successful. Old copies are best left in their familiar environment.

The transfer of plants to hydroponics is carried out as follows. When transferring plants from soil culture to hydroponics, you should proceed very carefully to increase the chances of a positive result:

• Remove the plant from the pot and free the roots from the ground with your hands as far as possible.
• Rinse off the soil remaining on the roots with warm water, preferably in the shower.
• If necessary, soak the clods in a bucket of water overnight.
• Rotten or very long roots should be trimmed. The roots should occupy no more than two-thirds of the height of the pot.
• Fill one third of the pot with expanded clay soaked in water for several hours and spread the roots over it. Add expanded clay to the edges of the pot. Fill with warm water without nutrients to medium level. Place a plastic bag over the top of the pot to prevent evaporation.
• Remove the package after 2-3 weeks. From the first addition of water at a minimum level, fertilize regularly.

It is difficult to convert from soil to hydroponics all plants with very large and intertwined root systems such as ferns, begonias and Anthurium.

The following species grow especially well in hydroponics:

(Streptocarpus)

Spathiphyllum ( spatiphyllum)

(Anthurium)

Kalanchoe ( Kalanchoe blossfetdiana)

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What can be grown in hydroponics?

The hydroponic method of growing plants is becoming more and more popular every year. As interest in it rises, logical questions appear as a consequence:

• What plants can be grown hydroponically?
• What plants can not be grown hydroponically?
• Which are profitable to grow for sale? And many others.

Let's try to understand these issues.

What plants can be grown hydroponically

Best of all, hydroponics grows greens.

It includes: parsley, dill, basil, sage, rosemary, cilantro, mint, lemon balm, lettuce, etc. It is also not difficult to grow houseplants using this method, such as: aglaonema, asparagus, aspelenium, cissus, dieffenbachia, hovea, philodendron, phalangium, ivy, ficus, fatsia, common ivy, hoya and many others.

Don't give up on anything vegetable crops, berries and even some fruits: broccoli, green beans, eggplant, spinach, cucumbers, tomatoes, strawberries, strawberries, many varieties of legumes, kohlrabi, banana, bell pepper, onions and much more, will also delight you with a wonderful crop grown in hydroponics.

All of these plants are great for growing. hydroponic method both on an industrial scale and at home.

But, there are also plants that are simply not recommended to be grown using hydroponics. And this is not because they will not grow, but because of their structural features.

• forming tubers or rhizomes. If this type of plant is not properly watered, the root system will begin to rot. Such plants include potatoes, beets, carrots, cyclamen, etc.;
• mushrooms; having rapidly growing roots (cyperus, chlorophytum);
• short-lived (ekzakum); requiring frequent cleaning. Cleaning is needed in order to remove the remains of leaves and flowers;
• did not clog the hydroponic system (high begonia, balsam); for flowering which requires a cool temperature during the dormant period (hydrangea, clivia and liazalia). This type plants respond to temperature changes with root rot.

It should be noted that each individual solution for hydroponics corresponds to a certain group of plants.

What are the best plants to grow hydroponically?

Before answering this question, you need to think about the purpose of your products. If these are flowers - then for the holidays, vegetables - winter - spring.

For example:

From vegetables, the most commercially profitable are tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, cabbage, cucumber, radish.

Among the greenery - onion feather, dill, parsley, basil, arugula.

Flowers are generally among the leaders. The most profitable is the cultivation of tulips, camellias, daffodils, gerberas, passionflowers and many others. others

The leaders among the berries are honeysuckle and strawberries.

Also very competitive are medicinal herbs- lemon balm, mint, sage, yarrow.

Before settling on one thing, it is necessary to take into account all categories of costs (electricity, water, heating, fertilizer, the hydroponic system itself, seeds, nutrient solution, substrate, etc.). Without such a calculation, it is impossible to objectively assess the commercial benefits of growing a particular plant in hydroponics.

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