Growing orchids in hydroponics
Orchids have always been considered among the most beautiful plants you can grow, declined by nature with an incredible variety of shapes and colors.
The visible roots, thick and white, and the elongated shape of the leaves serve to enrich the charm of beautiful flowers. Is surprising therefore the number of enthusiasts who grow orchids just for the pleasure of watching them.
In the rain forest and various tropical plants grow freely on these logs, or rocks covered with moss on these surfaces rainwater flows by making a perfect level of water and oxygen, while the roots derive nourishment from decaying vegetation. There is no ground, in which grow many orchids that you can define a hydroponic medium by nature.
Cultivating orchids it must therefore be re-create the optimal condition in which the plant thrives. To do this you are going to intervene on lighting, fertilizing, humidity and ventilation.
The majority of the species is kept under HPS lamps specific for the cultivation indoor from 400 watts, taking care to place the plants according to their natural sensitivity to light: those who love the half-light or the shadow will be arranged in a position out of to the lamp.
One can use a model agro , over the complete cycle of the plant, or two different bulbs, one for the growth and one for the flowering . The choice will depend on the specific requirements of the species of choice.
Orchids grown under artificial lights consume more water, but beware of the sovrairrigazione: the roots must be almost dry before the next watering.
Since the protected environment stimulates a more vigorous and fast development, the plants will need more nourishment . It 's important to choose good quality products with low residue and tailored to the specific needs of orchids.
The lamps also tend to dry the air, increasing the temperature. To re-create the moist environment in which our plants are used you can use a humidifier , and cover the walls of reflective plastic sheet for higher refractive index and better moisture management (which in this way is not absorbed by the walls) .
Since moisture also loved by fungi and bacteria is important to careful hygiene and good ventilation. An oscillating fan will help to prevent the formation of pockets of hot, humid air.
The substrate may be one of many commercially available for the hydroponic culture, orienting preferably on inert materials and sterile with a good passage of oxygen, such as beads of expanded clay . This medium also makes it particularly easy to transplant. Although the proposal is on the market in various sizes, the clay is ideal for large and thick roots, which provides perfect support.
Vermiculite and perlite , mineral substrates also have fine-grained and light that lend support to the most subtle and delicate roots. Can be used alone or mixed with each other.
The rock wool is a kind of sponge that is sold in the form of cubes, chunks, slabs or bricks. Holds lots of water but also allows both a good oxygenation.
Each plant has different needs and therefore the best choice is to experiment with different mediums looking for the most suitable.
The choice of cropping system is less extensive. Hydroponic systems which house many plants are not in fact suitable for orchids, because of the risk of disease transmission.
The best solution is the classic single vessel , which may be purely practical or compound in a manner to match the one hand aesthetically more graceful to a base suitable for the purpose.
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Tags: botany , cultivation , horticulture , gardening , hydroponics , no soil
