Experienced growers know that the growth and development of indoor plants depends on the correct soil. Each plant needs its own soil mixture, which is most suitable for its composition. For instance, lemon, cypress and most species palm trees slightly acidic and alkaline soils are needed. Fern, camellias, rhododendron soils with a high level of acidity are ideal. Neutral soils are good for growing primroses, kalanchoe, pelargonium, but rocky and sandy is suitable cacti... A special potting soil is essential for the noble orchids... It contains charcoal, moss, tree bark and fern roots.
Each type of soil has its own base. For example, chernozem soils belong to neutral soils, peat soils to acidic, and clay-soddy to alkaline soils. The permeability of water and air to the roots of plants, and hence their development, and life in general, depends on the composition and density of the soil. With timely provision and saturation of the soil with the necessary fertilizers, it also provides plants with high-quality nutrition.
The composition of soil mixtures can include natural ingredients (for example, peat, sand, ash, humus, sawdust, needles, leaves, moss, etc.) and artificial (for example, expanded clay, perlite, hydrogel). For each type of plant, it is necessary to select its own optimal soil composition.
Trading networks offer a large number of different types of soil mixtures, which differ in acidity, the presence of fertilizers and various leavening agents.
Peat soils
Peat soils can be of two types: some consist of high-moor peat, and others - of low-lying peat.
The moss that grows in the upper reaches of the bogs, in the process of decomposition, turns into high moor peat. This type of peat soil has its own positive and negative properties. Good breathability and lightness, as well as the ability to absorb moisture and retain it. The latter property is at the same time a disadvantage, since prolonged retention of moisture in the soil can lead to rotting of the root part of the plant. And if such a soil is overdried, then it will be quite difficult to wet and moisten it again. Another disadvantage is the low fertile qualities and the minimum amount of minerals in the soil composition.
Peat, which is mined from the swampy lowlands of lakes, rivers and bogs themselves, is heavier, but the content of mineral elements in it is very high. This type of soil is used only as an additive to soil mixtures, since in its pure form it is always too wet and dense. In such a soil, the roots of plants do not develop, but rot due to an excess of moisture and a lack of air.
Biohumus
Vermicompost is a product obtained during the processing of manure with the help of earthworms. Such a soil is considered valuable for plants, because it contains a large number of effective microorganisms and useful natural substances. When composing a soil mixture at home, a small part of vermicompost can replace humus and enrich its composition.
Trading networks offer a wide range of soil mixes. For almost every plant, you can choose an individual substrate, but you can also compose it yourself. The main thing is that all the necessary components are at hand.
Do-it-yourself soil compilation
Leaf land
When growing indoor plants, a mixture of leaf and sod land is used as the main soil. It contains the rotted leaf part of many types of trees (for example, apple and walnut, linden and maple, pear and elm).
Sod land
This type of soil is used most often, as it has good water and air permeability, and also contains a huge amount of nutrients. You can find such soil in meadows, forests, or unused pastures for animals.
Humus
Such soil consists of a small amount of topsoil and rotted manure. This soil is light and loose, and also contains a large amount of nutrients. Many crops are capable of qualitatively developing and growing on humus soil.
Heather soil
Such soil is considered a rarity, as it can only be obtained in places where conifers and evergreen heather shrubs grow. Dark gray heather soil mixed with white sand has a loose structure, good air and water permeability. Its composition can be compared to a mixture of sand (one part), leaf (two parts) and peat (four parts) soil. Heather soil is most favorable for growing rhododendrons, azaleas and camellias.
Coniferous soil
This soil is often found in potting mixes and is intended for many plants (for example, heather and orchids). Such soil is obtained in coniferous forests. Spruce, pine and fir needles, when decomposed, turn into loose and sour soil. When collecting coniferous soil, it is necessary to remove the top layer - it is still unsuitable for preparing soil mixtures and growing plants. You only need to use the second bottom layer.
Fern roots
Shredded and dried fern roots are a valuable nutrient for potting soil.
Moss
Some old parts of the sphagnum marsh plant die off, fall off and eventually form high moor peat. Sphagnum harvesting is carried out in September - October. First, it is cleaned of large branches and other unnecessary components. Then it is crushed, thoroughly dried and steam treated. Such preparation is necessary for soil disinfection. Harmful insects die, which means that there will be no danger for the growth and development of plants in the future. After the preventive measures taken, the moss is ready for use.
Moss is a component of many soil mixtures and makes them loose and able to maintain the necessary moisture for some time.
River sand
Flower shops offer different types of sand (coarse, medium and fine), but you can also collect it on the river bank. Prepare the sand before use. First, it is advisable to sift it, get rid of various debris and large stones and clean it well from dirt with clean water.
Almost all soil mixtures contain sand, as it makes the soil breathable, prevents it from compaction and caking, and perfectly permeates water, although it does not contain any nutrients.
Potting mixes with such a sand additive are essential for growing almost all types of palms and cacti.
Charcoal or ash
Coal and ash are used to disinfect plant roots and to heal cuts on branches and stems. This component prevents the formation of rot, as it is a natural antiseptic. The most commonly used charcoal is left over from burning aspen or birch branches.
Almost every soil mixture contains at least 5% of crushed charcoal. Coal increases the permeability of the soil and its friability. Charcoal blends are essential for growing cacti, orchids, and many other indoor plants.
Prevention when preparing components for the potting mix
When preparing components for the potting mix, you have to collect the soil in different places: in the forest, in the meadow, in the field and on the river bank. Naturally, such a land contains a large number of various insects and their larvae, fungal spores that can cause fungal diseases. So that there are no problems in the future when growing plants, it is necessary to prepare such soil before use. It is recommended to carry out mandatory heat treatment in the form of steaming.
Choose a large container, pour a small layer of well-moistened sand (about 3-4 centimeters) on the bottom, and all the components of the future soil mixture on top. Put the container on a low heat for heating and steaming. When heated, wet sand will give off steam, which will gradually warm up the rest of the mixture. It will take about one hour to warm up a ten-liter container.
There is one significant drawback in such processing - it is one hundred percent death of beneficial microorganisms, which are vital for the growth and development of plants. No organic food can be absorbed by plants without them. It will take some time and patience to fix this problem. When at least 30 days have passed after planting an indoor flower, you can begin to populate the soil with new useful "tenants".
The saturation of the soil with important microorganisms must be carried out gradually and try to maintain their number. Live microorganisms are found in many special preparations and organic feedings. Specialized shops for gardeners and florists offer for these purposes to use the means "Ecostyle", "Baikal", "Vostok EM-1" and "Vozrozhdenie".
As a disinfecting procedure for the soil, you can try freezing or processing with chemicals. Chemicals will kill all harmful bacteria and fungal spores and get rid of infectious diseases. And after freezing the soil, its structure even improves.
Composition of soil mixture for specific plants
- For cacti - leafy land, peat (high moor) and 50% sand. There should be a minimum amount of nutrients, and water permeability is high.
- For orchids - tree bark, peat, sphagnum moss, charcoal. For different types and varieties of orchids, there is a slight difference in the composition of the potting mix. For example, peat is not part of the potting mix for growing those varieties of orchids that grow on trees.
- For palm trees - turf and leafy land, peat (high moor) and river sand. The soil should be air permeable.
- For ferns - organic soil mixture with the obligatory addition of humus or vermicompost.
- For gardenias - acidic soil mixtures are suitable, which contain the same amount of leaf and coniferous soil, as well as river sand and high moor peat.
- For azaleas - the main one should be peat soil (horse) with a small amount of needles. A prerequisite is lightness, air and water permeability.
Soil acidity
The acidity of the soil plays an important role in the development of plants. Growth, the abundance of flowering culture, its adaptability to life and the ability to resist pests and diseases depend on its level.
For some representatives of the flora, the soil needs poor and acidic, for others - fertile and saturated with a large number of effective microorganisms, with moderate or neutral acidity. For example, alkaline soil is required for plants growing on rocky mountain slopes, while slightly acidic soil is suitable for most plants.
Soil pH can be determined in two ways:
- Using a special litmus test
- With a soil meter
When buying ready-made substrates, acidity is determined by digital indicators on the package:
- pH over 8 - strongly alkaline
- pH 7 to 8 - alkaline
- pH 6 to 7 - neutral
- pH from 5 to 6 - slightly acidic
- pH from 4 to 5 - acidic
- pH from 3 to 4 - strongly acidic
The soil acidity meter will show more accurate data about the selected substrate, and the litmus paper will show the result using a color indicator. A special color scale is available. It is necessary to place a litmus paper on the surface of a well-moistened soil and press firmly for a few seconds, and then check the result against the proposed scale. In the presence of slightly alkaline soil, the paper will turn blue, with neutral - light green or blue, with slightly acidic - yellow, with acidic - pink, with strongly acidic - red.
