How to properly prepare Knop's solution?
To increase the yield of agricultural crops, biologists come up with new ways of growing them. One of them is hydroponics, when a mixture of fine expanded clay, perlite, vermiculite is used instead of ordinary soil. Granular polyethylene and glass are also used. And the plant will receive nutrition from special solutions.
Content:
- Knop's solution - what is it?
- The procedure for preparing the solution, its features
- How to use Knop's Nutritional Formula correctly?
Knop's solution - what is it?
It is known that any plant needs nutrients for proper development, which it receives from the air and earth. Therefore, growing healthy crops in poor soils will not work.
But there are so many places on our planet that are not inhabited by cultivated plants. Their areas can be used if they are saturated with such compounds that have easily digestible nutrients. The available forms of nutrition were developed by Knop, who created a solution based on mineral salts that allows growing vegetables outside the soil.
Back in the 19th century, a German scientist believed that a nutrient solution was sufficient for the normal development of a plant.
In order for plants to grow correctly, receiving everything necessary for life, Knop dissolved such components in one liter of water, taking:
- one gram of calcium nitrate
- 0.25 each - potassium phosphate and magnesium sulfate
- potassium salt only 0.125 grams
- ferric chloride - 0, 0125 grams
All nutrient components of the solution are in such a form that they are easily absorbed by plants. Knop's mix is still used today due to the fact that it is suitable for growing any crop. Since a concentrated liquid is used in a diluted form, it has low osmotic values, it easily reaches the roots of the plant. And the acidity of such a solution has an indicator of seven, which is a neutral indicator.
If you are engaged in the cultivation of any crop in a complete nutrient solution, then you can see how a green plant will synthesize the necessary organic substances from mineral salts by itself.
The procedure for preparing the solution, its features
It is possible to make a Knop mixture with your own hands at home:
- Taking each substance in the required volume, dilute it in a small amount of water.
- Seven hundred milliliters of water are poured into a liter container.
- Now it remains to add the components one at a time, stirring thoroughly.
- After all the substances are in the container, add water to one liter.
It is important that the mixture does not form a precipitate. If ferric chloride gave a rusty sediment, then it is better to replace it with ferrous sulfate in the form of a solution. It is prepared from one and a half grams of a substance, which is poured with two hundred milliliters of water.
In another container, 1.7 grams of citric acid is taken for the same amount. After thorough stirring, combine both mixtures, bringing the volume of liquid to half a liter. Only five milliliters of the resulting mixture are poured into Knop's solution instead of ferric chloride. Preparation of the solution requires attention, concentration, and precise execution of the procedure.
How to properly use Knop's formula
Transfer the plant to a nutrient solution gradually in order to exclude its death. The roots freed from the ground are thoroughly washed, removing damaged parts. After lowering the plant for a while in a pot of warm water with the addition of activated carbon tablets, it is disinfected and ready for resettlement.
For the procedure, two containers are needed, which are inserted into one another. The inner pot is filled with a layer of expanded clay or other materials. Then the plant is installed by straightening the roots, adding expanded clay to the top. Then place it in a large pot filled with warm water. As soon as the water evaporates, the Knop solution is poured, diluted four times. Subsequently, it is diluted by half with water, and then poured undiluted.
The composition of the mixture is not suitable for all plants, so you can add the necessary elements yourself. Knop's solution is low in calcium, which will be painful for many crops.
Suitable for growing mix anthurium, asparagus, kalanchoe, a tomato, spathiphyllum, hoyi.
The methods of growing crops on nutrient solutions have been studied for a long time. Now they are in demand, they are used in private, industrial farms. They have both many positive and negative aspects. Knop's solution is one of the nutrient mixes that give impetus to the development of new ways of growing various crops. It allows you to nourish the roots of a flower or vegetable with substances important for growth.
More information can be found in the video: