2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Indoor gardeners know that using their clean garden soil for houseplants will not bring good results. The composition of the soil must correspond to the needs of the flower, and if it comes from afar, in our overseas lands the properties of the land may differ significantly from the homeland of your little traveler. But it is in the power of a grower from soils of different characteristics to choose the balance of the necessary components
Subtleties of drawing up soil mixtures
Most flowers thrive on neutral and slightly alkaline soils. But there are, of course, exceptions to this rule:
• slightly acidic soils prefer begonia, geranium, fuchsia, cyclamen, chrysanthemums, ornamental deciduous ferns;
• acidic soil is good for camellia, rhododendron, violet;
• in the ground with an alkaline reaction, carnations, lilies, cineraria grow better.
Such properties of the earth can be achieved by artificial mixing of different types of soil. Sod and peat soil, deciduous and humus are used, compost, sand, expanded clay are used. Sod land is neutral, slightly alkaline, and clay-sod, peat, loamy belongs to the acidic group.
Properties of ingredients for soil mixtures
Sod land is present in almost all soil mixtures for indoor flowers. It is harvested in pastures, meadows that are not located in the lowlands. Sod soil is taken from pastures, where legumes and cereals can be found - this will provide the composition of the soil mixture with the necessary trace elements, since green manure enriches the soil with nitrogen. If you are a fan of geraniums, roses, aspidistra, exotic palms or unusual indoor citrus crops, you need to stock up on clay-turf soil.
Peat land is of different quality. It depends on what kind of peat it is harvested from:
• riding;
• transitional;
• lowland.
Most suitable for indoor floriculture is soil from peat of the upper soil layers. Interestingly, the low-lying composition is less acidic and rich in plant nutrients. This land does not need to be limed. Violets and azaleas, hydrangeas will feel comfortable in the peat.
Another type of soil that is great for plants that prefer an acidic reaction is coniferous soil. It cannot boast of a rich nutrient content, however, azaleas, begonias, violets feel great in its loose structure.
The name of this type of soil speaks for itself about the composition of deciduous land. It is made on the basis of decayed foliage. However, leaves differ from leaves, and not all raw materials are suitable for growing indoor plants. So, flowers will be grateful for deciduous soil based on linden, hazelnut, maple. But oak leaves, pussy willow are not suitable for these purposes.
Deciduous land is indispensable for sowing seeds for seedlings. It is highly nutritious. In addition, among its positive qualities - lightness, loose structure. To work with seeds, such soil is mixed by a third with sand.
Sand is useful not only for sowing seeds. It will also be needed for vegetative propagation of plants: for rooting cuttings. It is best to use coarse-grained river material for these purposes. It is immediately used in business, without any preliminary preparation. When this sand has already been used by you, it is recommended to disinfect it. It can be sterilized by baking it in the oven or rendered harmless by such a technique as steaming with boiling water. If sea sand is at hand, it is additionally washed several times in fresh water. The least suitable for indoor floriculture is red sand.
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