New technologies for growing plants without soil. Soil problems of indoor plants and is it possible to grow flowers without soil. Description of growing indoor flowers without soil

Growing various crops without soil, on artificial nutrient media, in which all the necessary nutrients are provided in an easily digestible form, in the right proportions and concentrations, is called "hydroponics" and has long been spread in protected ground crop production. Depending on the nature of the nutrient medium, there are aquatic culture (hydroponics proper), substrate culture (plants are grown on solid soil substitutes - substrates that are periodically moistened with a nutrient solution) and air culture (or aeroponics). Almost everyone is familiar with the primitive hydroponic setup: this is a jar of water in which green is germinated. All modern methods of hydroponic plant growing are based on this simplest principle.

There are various variations in the supply of nutrient solution to the roots, subject to the conditions listed above. If you decide to try this non-traditional method of growing plants at home, you can buy plants already grown in hydroponics, and this is the best place to start, since you also need to purchase suitable containers, clay granules, special fertilizer. However, once you understand how easy it is to care for hydroponic plants, you will probably want to breed all of your plants this way from the start.

You need to know that not all plants are suitable for hydroponics, so you need to experiment. The range of plants suitable for this growing method is very large and includes such various plants as and, on the one hand (and it is important to give a "dry period" before adding water and not let the water rise high), and orchids, on the other. To get started, try the plants from the list below: aglaonema, anthurium, asparagus, aspidistra, brilliant vriesia, Mason's begonia, royal begonia, cissus, clivia, codeum, dieffenbachia, dizigoteka, ficus, ivy, hibiscus, hoya, arrowroot, monstera, nephrolepis, philodendron , saintpaulia, sansevier, sheflera, stephanotis, streptocarpus, tradescantia.

Close to hydroponics method "ionitoponics" - growing plants on artificial soil substitutes. Here, instead of the substrate, mixtures of anion and cation exchange resins saturated with nutrients are usually used. This way of keeping plants is almost similar to traditional cultivation in the soil. Soil substitutes have been used on spacecraft for experiments in growing various crops in zero gravity.

Having started a conversation about hydroponics, it is necessary to understand the principle of its work. It is known that plants can have different types of roots: soil roots and water roots. If you put the cutting in water, it will develop water roots, but once you plant it in soil, the plant should begin to form soil roots. This complicates the transition from the aquatic environment to the earth and vice versa. The advantage of the hydroponic method is that once the plants are past the transition phase, they can absorb moisture and nutrients from the solution at the base of the container, while the roots above begin to absorb the required amount of oxygen. The level of nutrients in the solution is critical. If you put too much water in the tank, there will be little air space for the roots, they will not be able to get enough oxygen, and the plant will die. The fact is that the oxygen necessary for the life of the plant is poorly soluble in water, therefore, near the roots, its concentration decreases rapidly. In this case, a simple device will help you, which you can easily make yourself at home. This is an ordinary aquarium compressor inserted into a tank through which air is blown, due to which the nutrient solution is quickly saturated with oxygen.

Another way to supply the roots with oxygen is to submerge them in nutrients! the solution is not completely, but about half. To do this, use a pallet with a mesh bottom, into which a loose substrate is poured with a layer of 3-4 cm. Sprouted seeds or rooted cuttings are planted in it. The pallet is placed on a vessel with a nutrient solution. Between the grid and the solution there should be an air space that increases as the root system grows. At the initial stage, until the roots have reached the surface of the nutrient solution, the substrate with the plants planted in it is moistened with ordinary watering from above.

The methods of growing plants listed above refer to aquatic culture, or to the non-substrate type of hydroponics. With substrate culture, the entire root system is in a solid substrate. The nutrient solution enters it from above, as in normal irrigation, or from below, when heated (2-5 cm should remain to the surface of the substrate). Such methods of supplying the solution are also called subirrigation. When cultivating plants in the substrate, inert earth substitutes are used: gravel, vermiculite, perlite, expanded clay, coarse sand, moss, peat. According to the name of the substrates used in pure form or in a mixture, the name of the cultivation method is given: gravel culture, sand culture, peat culture, etc. Inert substrates are easy to disinfect, do not enter into chemical reactions with mineral salts dissolved in water and perfectly provide air access to the roots. Experience shows that expanded clay, vermiculite, and peat have the best physical properties for this purpose. They are the most moisture-intensive, air- and water-permeable, and sterile. In addition, riding moss, sand and some other substrates can be used. All substrates, except for peat and moss, are cleaned of impurities before use, sifted, selecting fractions of the desired size (from 0.1 to 2 cm), thoroughly washed with a 5% sulfuric acid solution, and then with water.

At home, it will look like this. The vessel in which the substrate with the planted plants is located is connected by a hose to a container containing a nutrient solution. If you raise it, the solution heats the substrate, if you lower it, it drains back. Fans of indoor floriculture will be able to make this simple system using improvised means.

In aeroponic (air) cultivation, the roots of plants are constantly in moist air. This substrateless method of growing plants is especially suitable for balconies, porches and terraces.

With this method (plants are taken in any phase of development), the root neck of the plants is fixed with clamps on the lid of the box, which is filled with a nutrient solution so that 1/3 of the roots are in the solution, and 2/3 are in the airy, moist space between the poured solution and the lid box. To ensure normal plant growth processes, elastic foam pads are used in the places where the clamps are placed.

Spraying the roots is carried out with a finely sprayed nutrient solution. To do this, a spray gun is installed in the containers, which supplies the nutrient solution to the roots in the form of tiny drops. Spraying should be carried out once a day for 2-3 minutes, while making sure that the spray gun does not clog, otherwise the nutrient solution will stop flowing to the roots and the plant may die. Roots in air culture can also be moistened by periodic flooding from below or by the constant presence of a nutrient solution in the lower part of the container. In the latter case, part of the roots is in moist air, which provides oxygen access to them, and the tips of the roots are in solution.

Preparation of nutrient solutions.

Nutrient solutions are prepared by dissolving chemical salts in water that contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, sulfur, manganese (i.e., macronutrients), as well as boron, copper, zinc, and other trace elements necessary for plant development. Despite the variety of preparation methods for plant nutrition, a solution of mineral salts with a total concentration of 0.15-0.3% is used. (See Table 2 for the composition of various nutrient solutions.)

To prepare the solution, salt is taken in certain proportions. If you need to prepare 5 liters of solution, the amount of salt indicated above is multiplied by 5; if 10 liters - by 10, etc. When growing indoor plants, one should adhere to the concentration of the nutrient solution of 1.5-2 g per 1 liter of water. In winter conditions, in cold rooms, it is enough for plants at rest to give a nutrient solution of a reduced concentration (50% of the norm). Dry salts are stored (each separately) in a sealed glass container, in addition, salts containing trace elements and dry iron salts cannot be mixed. Each salt is dissolved in a separate container, and in this dissolved form (with the exception of iron salts) it can be stored for quite a long time. For iron salts, it is necessary to take dark glassware and store it separately in a dry form, dissolving immediately before use.

Water for the preparation of the nutrient solution is taken clean, soft, without any impurities, preferably distilled or rainwater. The nutrient solution itself, ready for use, should have the same temperature as the air temperature of the room in which ornamental plants grow (16-20 ° C).

It is necessary to periodically determine the acidity (pH) of the solution. For the normal development of plants, the acidity can range from 4.8 to 6.6. Properly prepared solution works for a long time. Change the solution after 30-45 days, depending on the type of plants. The amount of nutrient salts in the solution depends on the need for ornamental plants: in winter, potassium should prevail, in spring and summer - nitrogen. If the solution deteriorates, it must be immediately replaced with a fresh one by disinfecting the substrate, reservoirs and plant roots with a small amount of potassium permanganate diluted in pure water (until pink).

To successfully grow plants, you must follow a few simple rules. Do not keep the water level in the tank near the maximum - it is important that air can penetrate into the lower layers. Before the next filling, arrange an interval of 2-3 days. Watering in hydroculture is usually needed once every two weeks, but only twice a year. Use tap water because a special ion-exchange fertilizer functions effectively depending on the chemicals in the tap water. Water should be at room temperature. Since there is no soil, cold water has an immediate cooling effect on the plants and this is a common cause of failure. Renew fertilizer every six months. Some systems use fertilizers in the form of "batteries" set in special hydroponic pots, but otherwise you can only sprinkle them with a small amount of water. Just like plants in soil, hydroponic plants grow larger over time and will still need to be repotted over time, especially if the top growth of the plants comes out of proportion with the container. Remove plants very carefully. You may need to cut open the inner container to cause less damage to the roots, but sometimes you can leave the plant in the inner pot and use the larger one outside. If the roots are very large and tangled, a little pruning can be done.

Hydroponics is a way of growing plants without soil., in which the plant receives from the solution all the necessary nutrients in the right quantities and exact proportions (which is almost impossible to do with soil cultivation).

Hydroponics has great advantages compared to the conventional (soil) growing method:

• The plant always receives the substances it needs in the required quantities, it grows strong and healthy, and much faster than in the soil. At the same time, the yield of fruit and flowering ornamental plants increases several times.
• Plant roots never suffer from drying out or lack of oxygen when waterlogged, which inevitably happens with soil cultivation.
• Since water consumption is easier to control, there is no need to water the plants every day. Depending on the selected container and growing system, you need to add water much less often - from once every three days to once a month.
• There is no problem of lack of fertilizers or their overdose.
• Many problems of soil pests and diseases (nematodes, mole crickets, sciarids, fungal diseases, rot, etc.) disappear, which eliminates the use of pesticides.
• The process of transplanting perennial plants is greatly facilitated - there is no need to free the roots from the old soil and inevitably injure them. It is only necessary to transfer the plant into a large bowl and add the substrate.
• There is no need to buy new soil for transplanting, which greatly reduces the cost of growing indoor plants.
• Since the plant receives only the elements it needs, it does not accumulate substances harmful to human health that are inevitably present in the soil (heavy metals, toxic organic compounds, radionuclides, excess nitrates, etc.), which is very important for fruit plants.
• Well, and, finally, there is no need to mess with the ground: hands are always clean; hydroponic vessels weigh little; in the house, on the balcony or in the greenhouse, it is clean and tidy, there are no extraneous odors flying over the pots of sciarids, and other unpleasant factors associated with soil cultivation.

After mastering a few basic concepts, you can grow almost anything and with much less labor than soil. In the case of using automated solution circulation systems (some of which are very easy to assemble at home), the labor costs for watering and feeding plants disappear altogether.

• The simplest hydroponic vessel is made in two minutes from an ordinary plastic pot and any suitable larger container (this container must contain a sufficient amount of water, be chemically inert and not let in light). A good example is a paper 1-litre shelf-stable juice or milk bag, laid on its side with a pot hole precisely cut (at the seam side). The pot with the substrate should be immersed in the solution by 1-2 centimeters.
• The substrate (expanded clay, vermiculite, perlite, mineral wool, coconut fiber, any inert chemical fiber (polypropylene, nylon, nylon, etc.), foam rubber, etc.) costs the same or much less (depending on what at your fingertips) than a similarly sized piece of earth. But the earth, unlike the substrate, must be changed annually during transplantation.
• One liter of the final solution is enough for one small (such as a small begonia or fuchsia) plant per year, that is, a jar of concentrate intended for 50 liters of solution is enough for 50 years, or for the annual maintenance of 50 plants.

Plants suitable for hydroponics:
Almost any plant grown from seed or cuttings is suitable. In the case of transplanting adult plants, it is better to give preference to plants with coarse thick roots that are easy to clean from the ground. It is not recommended to transfer adult plants with a delicate root system to hydroponics.

Soak the earth ball for several hours with water at room temperature. (for example, in a bucket). After that, carefully separate the soil under water, then gently wash the roots with a light jet of water at room temperature. After cleaning the roots from the remnants of the soil, straighten them down, and, holding the plant, cover the roots with the substrate (it is not necessary that the plant touches the water layer directly with the roots - the solution will rise up through the capillaries of the substrate, reaching the roots; subsequently they themselves will germinate to the desired depth). After that, pour plain water on top of the substrate, pour the desired level of water into the vessel, and leave the plant for about a week. Only then can the water be replaced with a solution.

Important: do not fill the solution immediately after transplantation!

Basic concepts:

• solution concentration. Strictly adhere to the concentration of the solution recommended by the manufacturer. Try to keep the volume of the solution in the hydroponic vessel more or less constant by adding plain (preferably settled) water. Once every three months (depending on the manufacturer's recommendation), replace the solution completely. Some plants (epiphytes such as bromeliads, orchids and others such as carnivorous plants) require a much lower concentration (by a factor of 2-4), while for very fast growing plants (such as banana) an increase of about 1.5 is recommended. times the concentration of the solution. For annual vegetable crops, a concentration higher than the average by about 1.25 times is recommended. In winter, during the dormant period, the concentration should be reduced by about 2-3 times from the usual one, and the water level, depending on the severity of the dormant period, should also be reduced to a minimum.
• The acidity of the solution (pH). Modern hydroponic formulations are designed to have a pH of around 5.6 (optimal for most plants) and not deviate much from this value during operation (some plants require other pH values, for example, azaleas and gardenias - a more acidic pH = 5, and palms - more alkaline pH = 7). The most accurate pH control device is an electronic pH meter, but it is quite expensive and difficult to use. The simplest and most reliable means are acidity tests made specifically for aquariums, they are quite accurate, inexpensive, and easy to use (universal test strips are not suitable due to their low accuracy). Reagents for measuring and changing pH are sold in zoological markets and in the aquarium section of pet stores.

A simple recipe for preparing a solution:
To prepare one liter of solution, two components are required (the 5-ml syringe sold in every pharmacy is well suited for dosage):

• 1.67 ml of complex fertilizer "Uniflor Buton" or "Uniflor Growth" (depending on the type of crop - "Bud" is more for fruiting and flowering, and "Growth" - for the growth of green parts of plants) in a liter of water.
• Add 2 ml of a 25% solution of calcium nitrate there (to prepare a solution, dilute 250 g of four-water calcium (not potassium!) Nitrate in 1 liter of water). This amount of SC is given for soft (such as St. Petersburg or distilled water). The final amount of calcium in this dilution is about 100 mg/l. In the case of hard water, it is recommended to find out (from local water utilities or sanitary epidemiologists) the concentration of calcium per liter of water and add the appropriate amount of CS.
• Attention! Do not mix concentrated solutions 1 and 2 before diluting them with water! It is better to use different syringes for solutions 1 and 2, or be sure to flush the syringe before measuring another solution.

Causes of mold:

To prevent the development of mold, it is necessary to ventilate the room more often, keep it clean and periodically disinfect the surfaces of window sills, shelves where flowers are located, plant care equipment and other things.

Sometimes a white coating on the surface of the soil can be caused by excessively hard water for irrigation. Citric acid, diluted in a proportion of 1 tsp, will help soften such water. per liter of water.
Various fungicides will help in the fight against mold. In critical cases, an emergency plant transplant is necessary with the removal of a part of the root system affected by mold.

• Woodlice.
• White bugs (podura)
• Nematodes.
• Bulbous root mite.

Soil moisture indicator for potted plants

It is recommended to use moisture indicators to determine soil moisture. The use of this device will help to avoid problems associated with excessive watering. It is enough just to introduce the indicator into the soil and determine if the plant needs watering.

hydroponics aeroponics).

Hydroponics: the technology of growing indoor flowers without soil

With this method of cultivation, the necessary nutrients of the plant are obtained from aqueous solutions. The most common recipe for such a solution is the solution of the German scientist, one of the founders of hydroponics F. Knopp. For growing hydroponic plants at home, you can purchase ready-made hydroponic nutrient solutions.

In general, this method can be applied to growing absolutely any plant.
In general, growing hydroponic plants is a fairly simple process that will help to avoid problems associated with soil.

Growing plants without soil

The book outlines the basics of modern methods of industrial cultivation of plants without soil. Various types of installations are described, recipes for nutrient solutions are given, features of plant care when growing without soil, methods for controlling the chemical composition of the nutrient solution are described in detail.

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History of the method The method of hydroponics was based on the study of the root nutrition of plants. Many scientists have worked hard for decades to find out what the root extracts from the soil. It was possible to understand this as a result of experiments on growing plants in water (aquatic culture method). Certain mineral salts are dissolved in distilled water, in addition to salts of that chemical element, the significance of which for the life of plants they want to find out. The plant is grown on this solution in a glass jar. Experiments have shown that the plant develops well only if the salt solution contains potassium, calcium, iron, magnesium, sulfur, phosphorus and nitrogen. If potassium is removed from the nutrient solution, plant growth stops. Without calcium, the root system cannot develop. Magnesium and iron are necessary for the plant to form chlorophyll. Without sulfur and phosphorus, the proteins that make up the protoplasm and nucleus are not formed. For a long time, it was thought that only these elements were necessary for the normal development of plants. But then it turned out that the plant also needs very small amounts of other elements, which are therefore called microelements. At about the same time in the nineteenth century, the German botanist F. Knop, and in Russia K. A. Timiryazev and D. N. Pryanishnikov developed for scientific purposes a method of plant culture in aqueous solutions of inorganic compounds. In 1936, in the USA, Gerikke USA tested the cultivation of vegetables in solutions, calling this method hydroponics. The first successful experiments in growing vegetables in solutions without soil in our country were made in 1938-1939. Initially, hydroponic plants were grown exclusively in the aquatic environment. But with water culture, the supply of oxygen to the roots turned out to be unsatisfactory, the reaction of the solution was unstable, individual roots and whole plants quickly died off. Therefore, purely aquatic plant culture did not find application, but other methods were subsequently developed. Their essence boils down to the fact that the roots of plants are placed in some relatively inert substrate. The substrate and roots are immersed in a solution of all the nutrients the plants need. Depending on the substrate used, methods such as Aggregatoponics- when the roots are placed in solid inert, inorganic substrates - crushed stone, gravel, expanded clay, sand, etc.; Chemoponics- in which moss, high-moor peat, sawdust and other organic materials inaccessible for direct plant nutrition serve as a root-inhabited substrate; ionitoponics substrate from ion-exchange materials; Aeroponics there is no solid substrate, the roots hang in the air of a darkened chamber. Pots for hydroponic houseplants Indoor plants are placed in hydropots - double pots or vessels (one inside the other). Pots must meet certain requirements. The outer vessel must not let water through. The inner pot must have slots or holes for active interaction of the roots with the hydroponic solution. The outer pot must not be transparent. Both pots or vessels must be made of a material that does not react with the nutrient solution. Fired ceramic pots made of clay or glazed are better suited for this. In glazed pots, mineral salt deposits will not show through. The most suitable shape of the outer pot is spherical, as its volume will be larger than that of a regular pot. The inner pot can be made from an ordinary plastic pot or from a plastic bottle. Hydroponics pots have long been available in specialized stores. At the same time, the outer vessel is completely waterproof, made of various materials and has a beautiful decorative appearance. The inner vessel is usually made of plastic and is equipped with a liquid level indicator. This device has marks at three levels - the minimum amount of solution, optimal and maximum. It will be more correct to add the nutrient solution when the liquid level indicator drops to the minimum point. At the same time, it is necessary to add water so much that the float of the liquid level rises to the optimum value. The amount of liquid is brought to the maximum value only in cases where the plants are left without watering for a long time, for example, during the holidays. substrates In the hydroponic growing method, inert earth substitutes are used: gravel, vermiculite, perlite, expanded clay, coarse sand, moss, peat. According to the name of the substrates used in pure form or mixture, the name of the cultivation method is given: gravel culture, sand culture, peat culture, etc. Inert substrates are easy to disinfect, do not enter into chemical reactions with mineral salts dissolved in water, and provide good air access to the roots. The substrate must have the following properties: it is easy to pass air and solution, it is good to wet it; do not enter into a chemical combination with dissolved substances; have a slightly acidic or neutral reaction; do not interfere with the development of the root system and keep the plant upright. With proper operation, substrates from granite and quartz are used up to 10 years, from expanded clay and perlite 6-10 years, and from vermiculite only 2-3 years. growing plants without soil Expanded clay For growing plants in hydroponics, a substrate of fine expanded clay (0.1 - 0.5 cm) is usually used, since it has a better water-holding capacity. Expanded clay is breathable, water-permeable, moisture-absorbing. The roots in it are well kept and moistened. A plant planted in expanded clay is not injured, the root neck does not stick out to the surface, and well-branched roots are not damaged and penetrate the entire substrate. Expanded clay in operation does not need to be disinfected often, it is cheap and not harmful to plants. With long-term cultivation of plants (for 3–4 or more years), the expanded clay substrate may accumulate in it the products of the vital activity of the plant (metabolites), which have a bad effect on the development of the plant. Therefore, expanded clay must be periodically washed with water or hydrogen peroxide of low concentration (3%). Vermiculite In hydroponics, burnt vermiculite is used. As a result of firing, it acquires lightness, sterility, unique moisture capacity and durability of use. The size of the fraction is very important. The optimum for growing perennial and annual crops is 0.5 - 2 cm. Aeration is difficult in a substrate with finer fractions, and it is more suitable for sowing seeds, picking seedlings, rooting cuttings, or as a ripper for soil mixtures. Burnt vermiculite is sterile (burning at high temperatures ). During firing, the mineral swells, its plates increase several times. They take the form of "accordions" with a large number of air cavities. The substrate retains an amount of water that is 5-6 times its own weight. At the same time, it easily absorbs and also easily gives it to plants. Very high air capacity contributes to the powerful development of the root system of plants. Thanks to the mass of through slit-like pores, water or nutrient solution freely passes through the substrate plates (from pore to pore), and the particles remain in place. This does not happen, for example, in expanded clay. Its granules often float up, tearing the root hairs of plants. Peat Peat is a good substrate. The most suitable sphagnum peat of raised bogs, almost undecomposed, with a normal ash content (no more than 12%). Relative humidity of peat should be in the range of 60 - 65%. Dryer peat is less wetted. High-ash peat can only be used as fertilizer, not as a substrate. The relative humidity of peat should be in the range of 60-65%, drier peat is less wetted when watering plants. High-moor peat has a rather high acidity, therefore, before use, the peat substrate is neutralized with chalk or dolomite flour. Sand Sand should be used coarse-grained, quartz. Before use, it is washed several times (until the flowing water becomes clear). It is mainly suitable for hydroponic cultivation of succulents and other plants when watered from above, as well as for rooting cuttings. There are substrates made of granular polyethylene or glass. Of great interest are studies with substrates made of ion-exchange materials, which can be charged with ions of substances necessary for plants that can go into solution as they are absorbed by their roots. The main methods of growing in hydroponic culture 1. A nutrient solution is poured into a container or a special pot and the root system of the plant is placed in it. As the solution evaporates, water is added, and at certain intervals the solution is completely replaced with fresh one, since over time an imbalance in the proportions of nutrients occurs in the solution. A significant disadvantage of this method is that the supply of oxygen to the roots is difficult, and not all plants tolerate this. 2. For another method, two pots are used, one larger than the other. In a smaller pot, which has many small holes, the roots of the plant are placed and covered with gravel, expanded clay or other material. Then this pot is placed in a larger one and the nutrient solution is poured, while the roots should be immersed in the solution by no more than 2/3. If it is necessary to replace the nutrient solution, the inner pot with the plant is taken out, the water is allowed to drain. The outer pot is washed and after placing the pot with the plant in it again, a fresh solution is poured. Among flower growers, the second version of the hydroponic culture technique is most popular. Nutrient solutions and their preparation Nutrient solutions are prepared by dissolving chemical salts in water that contain nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, sulfur, manganese (i.e. macronutrients), as well as boron, copper, zinc and other trace elements necessary for development. The nutrient solution should contain all the elements in ratios that do not exceed the norm for their consumption by plants. Plants absorb nutrients better from dilute solutions; if the concentration exceeds the optimal rate, the plants may die. The concentration of the nutrient solution may increase due to the fact that the plants absorb water faster than the mineral salts dissolved in it. In addition, water partially evaporates, and this also leads to an increase in the concentration of the nutrient solution. It is especially important to monitor the nutrient solution in the summer, when the evaporation of water in the vessels increases. It is necessary that the nutrient solution in the outer vessel is always at the same level, i.e., fills it up to half the volume. When the solution becomes smaller, it is added with water to the original volume: in summer it is usually added after 2-3 days, less often in winter. To prepare the solution, salt is taken in certain proportions. The concentration of the nutrient solution should be in the range of 1-5 g of mineral salt per 1 liter of water. Plants react differently to the concentration of an aqueous solution of mineral salts. If it is higher than 13.5 g per 1 liter of water, a number of plant species are inhibited, at lower concentrations of 1.5-2.5 g per 1 liter, the same species develop normally. The concentration of the solution of 0.5-0.6 g per 1 liter of water inhibits the growth and development of plants. In winter conditions, in cold rooms, it is enough for plants that are in a dormant period to give a nutrient solution of a reduced concentration - 50% of the norm. Dry salts are stored (each separately) in a glass buried dish. For iron salts, it is necessary to take dark glassware and store it dry. Water for the preparation of nutrient solutions should be clean, soft, without impurities. The best is distilled water. If it is not possible to purchase distilled water, you can use rain water or water additionally purified using household filters. To soften hard water, special cartridges for filters and water softener tablets (the so-called pH tablets) are produced. You can also soften hard water with peat. To do this, peat at the rate of 700 g per 10 liters of water in the grid is placed in a container with water and left for 10-12 hours, for example, overnight. The water filtered from peat chips in the morning can be used to prepare a nutrient solution or to water plants. Each salt must be dissolved separately, in a small enamel or glass container, and then poured into a common vessel designed for nutrient solution. Salts must be dissolved, strictly adhering to the order in which they appear in the recipe of the nutrient mixture. Violation of this rule can lead to the fact that a precipitate of their undissolved salts will fall to the bottom of the vessel. Begin with macronutrients, i.e. elements needed by the plant in large quantities. Magnesium sulfate is dissolved in a small amount of water and, after it has dissolved, is poured into a common vessel, into which a small amount of water has previously been poured. Then ammonium and potassium nitrate are also dissolved, after them potassium chloride, and at the end ammonium phosphate. These salts are also dissolved separately in a small amount of water and poured into the same vessel. After pouring the next salt solution, mix thoroughly. After mixing well, the general solution is added to it. trace elements. They are also dissolved in a certain sequence in a separate glass container in a small amount of water. First, boric acid is dissolved, after acidifying the water with sulfuric acid (1-2 drops per 1 liter of water) for its better dissolution. After mixing well and making sure that it is completely dissolved, salts of zinc, iron, molybdenum and copper are added successively, dissolving each separately in a small amount of water. After adding the next salt, the solution is mixed properly. Then the solution of trace elements, with constant stirring, is poured into a vessel with a solution of macronutrients. The solution prepared in this way is ready for use. The reaction of the solution is of great importance for the normal growth and development of plants. The nutrient solution for plants grown without soil, depending on the crop, should have a pH of 5.5-7.0. A shift in the reaction of the solution to the alkaline side (Ph above 7) negatively affects plants; in such a solution, salts of iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus and manganese turn into insoluble compounds that are not absorbed by plants. Sometimes changes in the composition and concentration of the solution are insignificant, but they can still adversely affect the development of plants, so it is necessary to periodically determine the acidity of the solution. Ready-made solution can be stored in a sealed container for 2-3 months. A nutrient solution ready for use should have the same temperature as the air temperature of the room in which the plants grow. Properly prepared solutions last a long time. Change the solution after 30-40 days, depending on the type of plant. The amount of nutrient salts in the solution depends on the needs of plants in them: potassium should prevail in winter, nitrogen in spring and summer. Pink colour). The composition of the nutrient mixture according to Gerikka (g / 1 l of water)

Modern technologies: hydroponics

home hydroponics

Hydroponics is a method of growing plants without soil, quite suitable for home use. The plant receives from a special solution all the necessary nutrients in the right quantities and exact proportions.

There are three main methods of growing plants in nutrient solutions: water culture - hydroponics proper; air culture - aeroponics.

Benefits of hydroponics

Home hydroponics has a number of advantages over conventional (soil) growing. This technology is simple and affordable - after mastering a few basic concepts, you can grow almost any plant with much less labor than on soil.

In the case of using automated solution circulation systems (they are very easy to assemble at home), labor costs for watering and feeding plants are not required at all. Since a hydroponically grown plant always receives the nutrients it needs in the right quantities, it grows strong and healthy and much faster than in soil, and its roots never suffer from drying out or lack of oxygen due to waterlogging, which inevitably happens with soil cultivation. Since the water flow is easier to control with the hydroponic method, there is no need to water the plants frequently.

You can safely go on vacation without fear that upon arrival you will find your pets withered or suffering from a lack of moisture.

Depending on the selected container and growing system, it is only necessary to add water to the system at certain intervals. In addition, your plants will never suffer from a lack of fertilizers or their overdose. Another nice feature of home hydroponics is that you do not have to deal with many soil pests and diseases (nematodes, mole crickets, sciarids, fungal diseases, rot, etc.).

Well, and, finally, there is no need to replant the plant, which greatly reduces the cost and simplifies the growing process. The room where hydroponic plants are kept is always clean and tidy, there are no sciarids flying over the pots and other unpleasant factors associated with soil cultivation.

Modern hydroponic systems use only plastics, with the exception of some elements made of bronze. Even pumps are made with epoxy coating.

The use of materials of this type together with neutral substrates is the way to success due to durability and harmlessness for plants and humans. The simplest hydroponic vessel is made in two minutes from an ordinary plastic pot and any suitable larger container (the vessel must hold enough water, be chemically inert and not let in light). on its side with a precisely cut (from the side of the seam) hole for the pot. The pot with the substrate should be immersed in the solution by 1-2 cm.

Aqueous solutions for hydroponics

As a nutrient medium for plants in hydroponics, a special solution acts, containing all the compounds necessary for the plant to develop fully. Under the solution, you can take any water suitable for drinking.

This primarily applies to rain and distilled water. With regard to waste rainwater, a reservation should be made: its use is allowed only if the roof is in a satisfactory condition.

Do not collect water from a rusting roof or from a roof impregnated with resins. Water supplies should be stored in a dark, cool place to prevent algae from forming.

To provide the root system with oxygen, only part of the roots is immersed in the nutrient solution. The root neck of a hydroponic plant is fixed with cotton wool or foam rubber on the pot lid so that 1/3 of the roots are in the nutrient solution, and 2/3 of the roots are in the air space (between the solution and the pot lid).

Nutrient solution can be prepared at home or purchased from a flower shop.

Ready-made solutions are sold either in liquid form or in the form of water-soluble tablets. When buying a nutrient solution, pay attention to its purpose - whether it is really designed for growing hydroponic plants.

A complete replacement of the solution is carried out monthly in the summer and once every 5-8 weeks in the winter. A simple recipe for preparing a solution for hydroponics per 1 liter: to 1.67 ml of Uniflor Buton or Uniflor Growth complex fertilizer (depending on depending on the type of culture), add 2 ml of a 25% solution of calcium nitrate. This amount of saltpeter is given for soft (eg distilled) water.

Converting plants to hydroponics

Unpretentious plants with large roots are suitable for growing in home hydroponics (for example, chlorophytums, many aroids, ivy, asparagus, and even some succulents). To transfer to hydroculture, the plant must be prepared in a special way.

It is better if the selected specimen is small in size and not old - this one will take root better. On the eve of the transplant, it is watered abundantly or the pot is immersed in a basin of water. After that, the ground is separated under water and the roots are thoroughly washed with a light jet of water at room temperature.

Then they are carefully placed in the inner pot, trying not to damage and evenly distribute the roots, which are lowered into the solution through the holes in the base. First, use a diluted (1:10) nutrient solution.

In phytodesign, for decorative purposes, sometimes plants are simply placed in a transparent vessel filled with a nutrient solution (in some cases, tinted with a special dye).

It should be remembered that this method does not provide long-term existence for most plants, since the roots, deprived of free oxygen, begin to rot. It is easy to germinate the seeds of some grasses, most bulbous plants in this way, or you can use a similar method for a short-term decorative effect.

Try to keep the volume of the solution in the hydroponic vessel more or less constant, adding plain (preferably settled) water as needed. About every three months (depending on the manufacturer's recommendation), replace the solution completely. If possible, control the pH level in the solution (it should be about 5.6, which is optimal for most plants).

Ready hydraulic systems

If you want to transfer the plant to home hydroponics, it is most convenient to purchase a ready-made hydraulic system. There are several types of hydro systems designed for growing indoor plants in hydroponics. Modern systems usually consist of two pots.

Thanks to the peculiarities of the hydraulic system, you can easily adjust the "diet" of the plant, providing it with everything necessary for harmonious development. The substrate is an inert substance that, unlike soil, does not supply plants with any nutrients - all life support comes from the solution. The substrate provides support for the potted plant and allows the air and nutrients necessary for plant growth to freely enter.

At the same time, thanks to the substrate, the plants do not “float” in the nutrient solution, which prevents them from rotting. The main difference between hydroponic fertilizer and soil fertilizer is that hydroponic fertilizer contains the proper amounts of all the essential micronutrients that are in soil fertilizer. do not include. If one or more trace elements are not present in the soil in the proper amount, the plant does not receive adequate nutrition. Hydroponic fertilizers usually have fewer impurities than soil fertilizers and are much more soluble in water.

Choosing Plants for Hydroponics

Whether you want to purchase ready-made plants grown in hydroponics, or transfer your “pet” to it, you have little to fear. This method can be considered quite versatile, since most hydroponic plants feel great and please the owners with a well-groomed, healthy look.

Some growers believe that home hydroponics is suitable for growing basically all indoor plants, and is best suited for deciduous ornamental crops. But there are exceptions that you need to be aware of.

Plants that form tubers or rhizomes are least suitable for growing in hydroponics, since they rot very quickly if not watered properly (for example, cyclamen). Some plants, such as high begonia or balsam, will have to be constantly cleaned of wilted flowers or leaves so that they do not get into the nutrient solution.

Plants that grow roots very quickly will need to be repotted frequently (eg cyperus). Species that require cool dormant temperatures to flower should also not be grown hydroponically. Hydrangea, clivia, or azalea can react with root rot.

But lovers of kus will be able to fully appreciate the benefits of hydroponics. Many columnar and spherical cereus cacti, various prickly pear cacti, leafy peresian, epiphytic cacti and the like grow well in aquatic culture.

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. The same expanded clay can be used several times, it is quite simple to wash it properly.

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The soil is the usual substrate for growing most indoor plants. Growers are well aware of the many soil problems that arise from improper plant care, which can cause diseases and even death of flowers.

White plaque and mold on the soil of indoor plants

Often on the surface of the soil in a flower pot you can see a white or yellowish coating. Many do not attach importance to this, and completely in vain. The appearance of plaque indicates the presence of a fungal disease or mold. Such a plaque not only spoils the appearance of the plant, but can also lead to rotting of the roots of the plant.

White plaque and mold on the ground of indoor plants: photo

Causes of mold:

• violation of the irrigation regime, excessive watering of the plant;
• violation of the conditions of the plant (poorly ventilated room, insufficient lighting, high humidity);
• improperly selected container for growing a plant (too much soil, which disrupts the natural processes of moisture evaporation).

It is known that mold can grow in any environment. However, room temperature with high humidity is favorable for its development.

To prevent the development of mold, it is necessary to ventilate the room more often, keep it clean and periodically disinfect the surfaces of window sills, shelves where

Plant care supplies and more.

The following solution is suitable for disinfection: 5 g of a 0.5% solution of copper sulfate per 1 liter of water. If an available insecticide is added to such a solution, it will also turn out to avoid the appearance of some insect pests.

As you know, any disease is easier to prevent, so it is recommended to follow simple soil mold prevention measures:

• It is better to water the flowers as needed, giving the earthy someone the opportunity to dry slightly.
• For irrigation, it is recommended to use settled water (water from an aquarium is perfect).
• The soil of the plant must be loosened regularly to ensure oxygen access to the roots of the plant and effective drying of the deep layers of the soil.
• You should responsibly approach the choice of a container for growing a plant. A pot "for growth" will not work, it is better to gradually increase the diameter of the pot as the plant grows. Pots with holes in the bottom are preferred. So, excess liquid will not linger in the pot and will not provoke the formation of mold.
• When preparing the soil for planting a plant, it is recommended to add a small amount of crushed charcoal or activated charcoal, ash. This will not only ensure soil looseness, but also contribute to its disinfection.

Sometimes a white coating on the surface of the soil can be caused by excessively hard water for irrigation. Citric acid, diluted in a proportion of 1 tsp, will help soften such water. per liter of water. Various fungicides will help in the fight against mold. In critical cases, an emergency plant transplant is necessary with the removal of a part of the root system affected by mold.

Pests in the soil of indoor plants

Mold that affects the soil of indoor plants is not the only problem that worries flower growers. Often when growing flowers, you can also encounter insect pests. Some of them affect the soil, damaging the root system of the plant.

The reason for the appearance of pests can be poor-quality soil, and improper care of the plant. In the fight against insects, special industrial preparations will help, as well as folk remedies, such as a soap solution or a solution of manganese.

• Woodlice. Appear due to excess moisture in the soil. They are dangerous because they harm the roots of the plant by eating them. When they appear, watering should be reduced. Insects can be removed manually.
• White bugs (podura) in the soil of indoor plants. Appear due to high humidity of the earth or air. The way to deal with them - the top layer of the soil should dry out, after which they will disappear. You can also fight with chemicals: potassium permanganate solution, arrows Doctor, Aktara.
• Nematodes. Microscopic worms that live on plant roots. Their appearance is also facilitated by an excess of moisture in the soil. In the fight against these dangerous pests, anthelmintic drugs such as Decaris can be used. A severely affected plant is best destroyed to avoid infecting other plants.
• Bulbous root mite. They are harmful, especially to bulbous plants. Appear due to high humidity. Preventive measures: good drainage, moderate watering. Mite-affected roots and bulbs are treated with an available systemic insecticide, such as Aktellik, Aktara.

Why do you need a soil moisture sensor for indoor plants?

Soil moisture indicator for potted plants To determine soil moisture, it is recommended to use moisture indicators. The use of this device will help to avoid problems associated with excessive watering. It is enough just to introduce the indicator into the soil and determine if the plant needs watering.

The use of such devices is especially important for large deep planters, where it is very problematic to determine the state of moisture in the lower layers.

Description of growing indoor flowers without soil

For more than 100 years, there has been a method of growing houseplants that avoids soil problems. This is about hydroponics, i.e. growing plants without soil using substrates replacing soil (expanded clay, vermiculite, moss, peat, coarse sand, coconut fiber and others) or without them (this method is also called - aeroponics).

Hydroponics: the technology of growing indoor flowers without soil With this method of cultivation, the necessary nutrients of the plant are obtained from aqueous solutions. The most common recipe for such a solution is the solution of the German scientist, one of the founders of hydroponics F. Knopp. For growing hydroponic plants at home, you can purchase ready-made hydroponic nutrient solutions.

Growing plants in a hydroponic way is possible under several conditions:

• free access of air to the root system of the plant;
• sufficient air humidity where the roots of the plant are located;
• contact of plant roots with nutrient solution.

According to the method of supplying the nutrient solution to the roots of the plant, one can distinguish such hydroponic plant growing methods:

• one-time filling of a container with a plant with a nutrient solution, with immersion in a solution of 2/3 of the root system;
• traditional periodic watering of the plant with a solution from above;
• adding mortar to the pots tray.

For hydroponic growing plants at home, it is recommended to purchase special containers or use pots of different sizes.

What houseplants can be grown without soil

Those who comprehend the basics of hydroponic cultivation are recommended to start with such plants as anthurium, aspidistra, vriesia, begonia, cactus, dieffenbachia, ficus, monstera, nephrolepis, shefflera, tradescantia.

In general, this method can be applied to growing absolutely any plant. In general, growing hydroponic plants is a fairly simple process that will help to avoid problems associated with soil.

See also a video on how to create a hydroponics system at home with your own hands:

What is hydroponics, features of growing plants without soil with your own hands

Hydroponics at home is a way of cultivating plants without the use of soil. The technology is widespread in countries with an arid climate, where there is a lack of fertile land and water for irrigation. In Russia, the method has gained popularity in small farms. Using the method, greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes and indoor flowers are grown in the apartment.

What is growing plants without soil

The culture is placed in a solid substrate: expanded clay, crushed stone, or left suspended in the air. The plant receives the necessary substances for growth and maturation from water and nutrient solution. Hydroponics is a new, environmentally friendly and progressive method of harvesting fruits and vegetables. Landing is also possible in an apartment.

Source: Depositphotos

Hydroponic technology at home

Necessary equipment for growing plants using a soilless method in an apartment:

• substrate - earth is replaced by expanded clay, crushed granite, coconut fiber, less often glass, quartz or mineral wool;
• dishes - a spacious container that does not let in light is suitable; choose clay or plastic pots;
• nutrient solution - it is poured into a prepared container; products are available in gardening stores, for each type of plant - a special composition and concentration level.

The technology is available to people with different income levels and without experience in agricultural technology. Equipment and maintenance costs are minimal: the substrate does not require replacement, renew the nutrient solution once every 2-3 months.

Do-it-yourself technology for growing plants without soil

Soilless crops do not differ in taste from vegetables or fruits from the garden. In addition, they retain useful trace elements and vitamins.

Action algorithm:

• choose the right plant;
• buy in the store the nutrient solution and substrate that are suitable for the characteristics;
• prepare a container; use ready-made or build dishes yourself: find two pots of different sizes; in a smaller one, make holes with a nail or a knitting needle;
• fill the smaller container 1/3 with the substrate, lower it into the large one;
• place crop seeds or already germinated sprout in a soil substitute;
• fill the dishes with a nutrient solution, make sure that the liquid covers the roots by 2/3;
• for aeration, use a compressor that supplies oxygen to the solution.

For ease of monitoring the liquid level, use a level with a scale. In parallel, provide planting with light for up to 8-10 hours a day. If there is not enough natural light, use lamps.

Using this method, in an apartment, it is possible to get organic vegetables, fruits and herbs at no extra cost all year round.

Many novice growers want to give their hobby not only summer time, but also while away winter evenings for a sweet deed. However, what to do if growing in traditional conditions is simply impossible in winter or autumn. The method of growing plants without soil will come to the rescue.

Hydroponics is a great way to grow crops and a variety of plants without soil. The plant takes all the necessary nutrients from nutrient solutions, which equally enter the root system. Hydroponics is very common and popular in the horticultural environment today. The method itself is divided into three main types:

Hydroponics - the presence of an aquatic culture.

Substrate culture - plants grow in soil substitutes - "substrates" that are periodically moistened with solutions.

Aeroponics is a method of growing crops through air.

The simplest hydroponics is an ordinary jar of water. The plants themselves grow at the expense of the nutrient solution. Hydroponics has a huge variety of types and types, as well as a large number of equipment and additional elements.

Selection of equipment for hydroponics

Growing plants without soil is quite simple, but even here it is often necessary to select good equipment to make the quality of the crop high. First of all, choose the system in which you will grow your seeds. Each of them relies on certain opportunities, as well as premises and the number of plantations.

Periodic flooding system. This system is installed permanently, which allows you to organize a larger number of crops.

deep sea culture. An excellent method for plants that consume a lot of moisture. However, it is extremely difficult to manage, since plants often get sick, and it is extremely difficult to control the amount of nutrient solution.

nutrient layer. Plants are placed in a pipe through which a nutrient solution constantly runs. It is fed through them by means of a pump. Thus, the root system of all plants consumes a sufficient amount of nutrients, in equal amounts. The main feature of this system is the saturation of the solution with oxygen.

Drip irrigation system. This method requires the use of substrates - usually coconut, as well as adding mineral wool, peat mixture. A nutrient solution is poured onto all this, which eventually spreads into a special pan. This method is extremely good and simple, since from this pan the solution will drop by drop into the plants. Thanks to good space saving, the method allows you to grow a large amount of crop per 1 sq.m.

It is important to remember that with all these methods of growing plants without soil, you need to keep the roots as little as possible in the water. The solution itself needs to move in all directions and positions of the plantation, whether it is horizontal or vertical (do not forget about the location of the hydroponics on the wall). Otherwise, the crop may die.

Features of growing plants without soil

Having chosen the method and system of cultivation, you should be well prepared. To begin with, it is very good to purchase plants that are already grown in hydroponics, while not forgetting about containers, pots, clay granules, and various fertilizers necessary for the plant you have chosen. This practice of caring for a purchased plant will help you in the future to decide on growing plants from the very beginning.

Keep in mind that not every plant is suitable for hydroponics. Try to read additional information and experiment in equal measure. Basically, a large variety of crops, flowers, domestic, ornamental plants are suitable for the hydroponics method. Either one can be a great starting practice to prepare yourself for the more challenging plants to come.

Another method of growing plants without soil, close to hydroponics, is the ionitoponics method. It is based on growing plants on an artificial soil substitute. Unlike hydroponics, instead of a substrate, anion and cation exchange resins are used here, which are full of nutrients. Although this method is very similar to growing in a natural environment, it is as simple and easy as the hydroponics method, and most importantly, it is available at home at any time of the year.

Features of hydroponics

Let's take a closer look at the three main methods of growing plants without soil in a nutrient solution. When working with hydroponics, it is important to consider many nuances and details that you need to know when working with the system. It is well known that plants have different types of roots: soil and water. If the plant was in water, it developed water roots, but if it is transferred to the soil, it will take time for it to grow soil roots. This fact makes it very difficult to transfer a plant from one environment to another. The main feature of the hydroponics method is that the plants, once they have passed the transition phase, will be able to receive moisture and all the necessary nutrients from the solution, while the roots above will consume the necessary oxygen reserves. Nutrient levels play a major role in plant care. If there was a lot of water, then there simply will not be oxygen for the plant, which will lead to death. The problem is that oxygen, which is so necessary for plant life, is very poorly absorbed in water, because its level near the roots is significantly reduced. In such cases, a small device that can be made by hand at home will be very useful. This is an ordinary aquarium compressor, which is placed in a container through which air blows the solution, thereby making it saturated. Plants receive all the necessary elements and grow further.

There are other ways to deliver oxygen to the roots. It is necessary to immerse them in the nutrient solution, but only half. In this case, a tray with a mesh bottom will help you a lot, in which the substrate is placed in a small, three-centimeter layer. Germinated seeds are placed in it. After that, the pallet must be placed on a vessel filled with a nutrient solution. Remember to keep an air space between the mesh and the tray, which will increase as the roots grow. At the very beginning, while the roots have not yet reached the surface of the solution, it is best to moisten the plants with ordinary watering.

These methods and tricks are great for water-based hydroponics, not substrate based hydroponics. In the case of working with the substrate, the entire root system is securely fixed. The solution itself comes from above, if you follow the usual irrigation norms, or from below, if you use the flooding method. Remember that in this case the liquid level should be 2-5 cm below the surface of the substrate. These methods of supplying the nutrient solution are called subirrigation. Most often, in this case, soil substitutes are used: gravel, vermiculite, perlite, expanded clay, sand, moss, peat and much more. It is by the name of the substrate that the name of the cultivation method is given. Pay attention to this if you are looking for third-party information or advice on working with these methods.

It is convenient to work with inert substrates, as they are very easy to disinfect, do not react chemically with salts that are in solution, and most importantly, they reliably provide air to the roots. According to numerous recommendations, peat, vermiculite, expanded clay can be called good candidates for inert substrates, since they are also moisture-intensive and sterile. You can also use riding moss, sand and other substrates. However, they all need to be cleaned well before use. Third-party impurities are eliminated by sifting, and selecting the necessary fractions of a certain size - from 0.1 to 2 cm. All this must be washed well with a solution (5%) of sulfuric acid, and then with water. Only peat and moss do not require a similar procedure.

At home, doing this is very easy. The vessel in which the substrate and the plant are placed must be connected with a hose that is attached to the container with the solution. If the container is raised, the solution will flood the substrate, and if it is returned to the opposite position, the substrate will be washed back. Such a system is extremely simple and unpretentious and can be made with your own hands at home. At the same time, it does not require special financial costs.

Consider aeroponics - a method of growing plants without soil in moist air.. We can say that this is a very silent method, convenient if you have plantations on a veranda or balcony. The essence of the method is that the root system is always under the influence of moist air. If you turned to this technique, the plant itself must be placed on the lid of the box so that 1/3 of the roots are in the solution, and the rest is in the air space, which is saturated with moist air mixed with the solution. Plants can be placed at any stage of development. In order for the plants to fully grow and there are no problems, it is better to place elastic pads in the places of the clamps.

The roots must be sprayed with a finely sprayed solution. To carry out this process, it is necessary to install a spray gun that will supply the nutrient solution to the roots in the form of small drops. Spraying should be carried out only once a day, taking three minutes for this. Keep an eye on the sprayer for blockages and malfunctions so that the solution always enters the root system. With this technique, the roots can be moistened by periodic flooding, or by maintaining the presence of a nutrient solution in the tank. An extremely convenient method, since part of the roots receives oxygen from moist air, and the bottom of the roots receives elements from the solution.

Working with nutrient solutions

The solution can be obtained by dissolving chemical salts in water containing: nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, calcium, iron, sulfur and manganese, boron, copper, zinc and other components - the so-called macro- and microelements. There are a large number of methods for preparing solutions, but it is important to remember that a solution with a concentration of 0.15-0.3% is used for any plants.

Proportions are extremely important in this case. For example, if you need to prepare 5 liters of a solution, then the amount of salts must be multiplied by 5, if 10 liters - by 10, and so on. If you grow indoor plants, then try to stick to a solution concentration of 1.5 - 2 g per liter of water. If you keep plants in a cold room, then the solution must be made at a reduced rate - by about 50%. All salts must be kept separately, in a closed glass container. Moreover, salts containing trace elements should not be mixed with dry iron salts. When preparing a solution, each salt must be dissolved separately, in a specially prepared vessel. In this state, they can be stored for a long time. The only exception is iron salts. For them, dark glassware is best, and you need to store them in a dry form, separately from the rest. They need to be dissolved just before use.

The solution requires only clean, soft water, without the presence of any third-party impurities. It is best to use distilled or rain water. A freshly prepared nutrient solution will be ready to use if it is at the same temperature as the room temperature. Usually it is 16-20 degrees.

It is important to check the acidity of your solution from time to time - the pH indicator. A normal solution has an acidity rate of 4.8 to 6.6. If the solution was prepared correctly, it will last for quite a long time. The solution itself must be changed after 30 days of use (maximum 45), taking into account the nature and needs of the plant. The amount of salts used in the solution also depends on the needs of the plant itself. Some elements should prevail depending on the season - nitrogen is needed in summer, and potassium is needed in winter. If the solution has deteriorated, you need to quickly replace it with fresh one, having previously disinfected the substrate, the tank itself and the roots, using potassium diluted in clean water.

To properly grow plants without soil, you must follow a few rules. First of all, do not keep the maximum level of water in the tank, it is necessary that air is available in the lower layers. Make new bays at intervals of three days. Watering should be done once every two weeks, and top dressing should be carried out only twice a year. It is best to use tap water, as some fertilizers are ion-exchange fertilizers, and they work effectively if there are certain chemicals in the water. Remember that water should be used at room temperature. Due to the lack of soil, cold water will have a negative effect on the plant, which will lead to death. Renew the fertilizer itself every six months. Also try to find additional information on third-party sites in order to know all the intricacies of working with a solution and hydroponics.

The article was prepared with the support of the online store of cannabis seeds BioSeeds

Views: 11622

07.12.2017

The word "hydroponics" (takes its origin from the Greek " υδρα " - water and " πόνος "- work, which ultimately translates as" working solution»).

Hydroponics is a model of growing crops without the presence of soil, since the plant receives top dressing from a special solution that contains all the necessary nutrients (a complex of macro and micro elements).

Historical facts

The idea of ​​using hydroponics is not new. Legend of the famous Hanging Gardens of Babylon”, which has come down to us since the time of Babylon, is apparently one of the first attempts of mankind to grow plants on artificial soils.

Another fairly ancient analogue of the use of hydroponics technology are " Floating gardens of the Aztecs". When the indigenous tribes of the Indians were forced out of their fertile lands, which were seized by militant neighbors, the Aztecs were forced to survive in difficult conditions of poor soils, so the savvy Indians came up with the idea of ​​growing plants on rafts made of reeds. On top of the rafts, the Indians laid a layer of silt (sapropel), on which they managed to grow vegetables, and even fruits. At the same time, the root system of plants fed moisture directly from the reservoir.

Scientists who contributed to the creation and development of hydroponics

One of the first scientists who tried to understand the process of plant nutrition was Aristotle.

Later, such minds as Edme Mariot, Marcello Malpighi, Stephen Hales and John Woodward worked on this task.

For the first time, the definition of hydroponics as a method of growing plants was given by the famous American scientist William Gerikke, who experimented with vegetables that he planted in containers with various nutrient solutions (without the use of soil). In 1936, after a number of successful attempts, Gerikke published his scientific work, where he first applied the new term.

In the nineteenth century, Kliment Arkadyevich Timiryazev continued to develop a method for growing crops in aqueous solutions. He studied in detail not only the physiology of plants, but also examined water, soil, nutrients, fertilizers and substrates that affect crop growth.

Modern agronomists have been trying for several decades to determine the optimal composition of mineral salts and elements that crops need for normal growth and development. The result of their long work showed that such macro andtrace elements such as iron, magnesium, calcium, phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur and others. In total, in addition to carbon, hydrogen and oxygen, plants require about sixteen essential trace elements.

Scientists managed to find out that in the absence of, for example, potassium in the diet, plant growth stops, and with a lack of calcium, the root system stops its development. For the formation of chlorophyll, plants need such important elementslike magnesium and iron, but it turns out that without phosphorus and sulfur, proteins are not formed that are vital for plant cells to form protoplasm and the nucleus.

What is the essence of the technology called "hydroponics"?

Hydroponics allows you to artificially regulate the growing conditions of plants. Using it, you can create a special diet for various crops, which will provide their needs to the maximum with all the necessary elements, so you can get the maximum yield, and of excellent quality.

The essence of the technology itself, if you describe it in a few words, is the cultivation of agricultural and ornamental crops by hydroponic means, in which the root system of plants is not in fertile soil, but in its substitute, that is, a kind of substrate filled with nutrients and creating support for the roots.

In greenhouses and indoor greenhouses, the hydroponics method allows you to grow plants in several tiers, which saves a significant part of the area. At the same time, the equipment allows you to adjust the concentration of carbon dioxide, which favorably affects the process of photosynthesis, makes it possible to set the optimal humidity and air temperature for plants, as well as change the intensity and duration of lighting indoors.

And since nutrition with this method of cultivation is supplied to the root system of plants in a dosed and easily accessible form for plants, this significantly saves resources and reduces labor costs. For this reason, hydroponics is especially relevant for areas with difficult climatic conditions, where there is a lack of natural moisture.

Existing hydroponics methods

« Aggregatoponics»

With this method of growing plants, their root system is placed in solid, inert, inorganic substrates, such as expanded clay, crushed stone, sand, gravel, and the like.

« Chemoponics»

With this method of cultivation, the substrate is moss, sawdust, high-moor peat, as well as organic materials.

« ionitoponics»

With this method, the main substrate consists of ion-exchange materials.

« Aeroponics»

When growing crops using the aeroponics method, a solid substrate is not used, and the root system of plants is in limbo. Usually, special dark cameras are used for this.

Since the substrates in hydroponics contain no or no nutrients, the only available method of plant nutrition is fertigation(a method of applying water-soluble mineral or organic fertilizers). You can read more about this.

Advantages of hydroponics as a method of growing plants

The main advantage of hydroponics is that this method allows you to significantly increase crop yields, since all the necessary nutrients are sent directly to the root system. At the same time, plants absolutely do not contain any toxic compounds, nitrates, heavy metals, radionuclides and other compounds and elements harmful to the human body. Plants are grown in a clean environment without the presence of dirt and foreign odors.

Hydroponics allows you to apply an individual approach to each variety of plants and completely eliminates such negative factors as drying out, lack of moisture, lighting, oxygen starvation of plants, and so on.

In addition, using the hydroponics method, you can not be afraid that the plants will be damaged by pests, infections, fungi and other diseases, so the question of using insecticides and other pesticides disappears by itself.

The technology of transplanting plants is also simplified, since the root system is not injured when using this method.

Disadvantages of using hydroponics

The undoubted and perhaps the only disadvantage of this method is the high cost of equipment, the task of which is to provide a complete life support system for plants. However, the investment in hydroponics will pay off handsomely, as crops using this technology grow faster and produce richer crops.

The future belongs to hydroponics

According to futurologists, in fifty years all the inhabitants of the planet will live in cities, and there will be practically no villages left. Who and where will grow food to feed humanity?

Scientists are betting on hydroponics.

Currently, this method is developing at a rapid pace, as cutting-edge technologies and the latest achievements of science come to its service. Thanks to innovation, the quality of the nutrient medium is constantly improving, the model of growing plants is being improved, and the quality of the equipment is improving. For example, recent developments in the design of hydroponics systems allow you to use the working area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe premises to the maximum. This reduces unit costs, significantly increasing yields.

Huge industrial greenhouses and greenhouses no longer seem like a fantasy to us, where a wide variety of crops are grown using this method: vegetables, berries, ornamental plants. At the same time, hydroponics allows you to computerize and automate absolutely all operational processes, which results in significant resource savings, and growing plants consists solely in preparing seedlings and harvesting.