What material is best to spread on the surface of potted green plants?

Before starting to grow green plants, many people look up some information to make sure their green plants grow well, such as what kind of soil to choose, how much water to give, whether they can resist cold and drought, and so on. Knowing these things really does help the growth of green plants to a certain extent. But there is one point you must not overlook. If it is chosen well, green plants will not turn yellow or rot at the roots, and if you are growing flowers, the flowers will grow more and more vigorously. It is the material spread on the surface of the green plant pot. Let us take a look together below!

1. Mosquito coil ash

Effects: pest prevention, disinfection, root strengthening, flower promotion

Many people throw away the mosquito coil ash after burning a mosquito coil. For flower growers, this is a huge waste, because this mosquito coil ash is a treasure. Spread it on the surface of the potting soil, and not only will it not attract insects, it can also supplement potassium fertilizer, sterilize and disinfect, protect flower roots, strengthen them, and make flowers vivid.

How to spread mosquito coil ash on the surface?

1. Collect all the mosquito coil ash from ordinary burning at home and put it on a piece of paper or in a container.

2. Gently shake the mosquito coil ash onto the surface of the potting soil, spread it evenly, and note that the thickness of the mosquito coil ash must not exceed 0.5 cm, because if it is too thick, the air permeability will be poor.

Gently shake the mosquito coil ash onto the surface of the potting soil, spread it evenly, and note that the thickness of the mosquito coil ash must not exceed 0.5 cm, because if it is too thick, the air permeability will be poor.

3. When watering the flowers normally, you can use a fine-spout watering can to water slowly. In this way, the potassium fertilizer in the mosquito coil ash will infiltrate into the soil with the water for the flowers to absorb, and they will bloom more and more beautifully.

4. In addition, when mosquito coil ash penetrates into the soil, it can also sterilize and disinfect, strengthen the root system, and reduce root rot. Moreover, mosquito coils themselves have an insect-repelling effect. Sprinkling mosquito coil ash on the surface of the flower pot will not attract mosquitoes or insects!

2. Earthworm soil

Effects: sufficient fertility, does not harm roots

It has been raining a lot recently. Friends must have seen quite a few clumps of earthworm soil in green belts. This is a great thing for growing flowers. It is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, humus, and beneficial bacteria, and has a magical fertilizing effect on flower growth. Spread a layer on the pot surface, and the flowers will grow quickly and bloom abundantly, with no need to fertilize for 2 years.

How to spread earthworm soil on the surface?

1. After 1-2 days following rain, when the earthworm soil has formed and clumped without being sticky, everyone can go to parks, green belts, and other places to collect that kind of crooked, clumpy yellow or black earthworm soil.

2. Directly spread a layer of the collected earthworm soil on the surface of the potting soil. In this way, each time you water, nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in the earthworm soil will slowly penetrate into the soil with the water for the flowers to absorb.

3. Using earthworm soil mixed with other soil to grow flowers will not cause soil compaction, and the effect of retaining moisture and fertilizer is better. In addition, if earthworm soil is spread on the pot surface and sprayed with water often, it can also absorb indoor pollutants such as formaldehyde and benzene.

3. Pine needles

Effects: supplement fertility, prevents root rot

Autumn has arrived, and the roads will again be covered with a layer of pine needles. At this time we can collect some to take home, and they are great for growing flowers! They are not only rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and calcium fertilizer, but also have super strong water absorption and air permeability, making flowers grow vigorously without root rot.

How to spread pine needle soil on the surface?

1. Collect pine needles under pine trees. Note that you should choose the dry, grayish or blackish ones from the bottom layer that break with a pinch, and do not choose those that are too green or too new.

2. Soak the collected pine needles in boiling water for 20 minutes, or put them in a pot with water and boil for 10 minutes, or heat them in a microwave for 5 minutes. The purpose is to remove bacteria and insect eggs in the pine needles.

3. Dry the disinfected pine needles in the sun, then spread them on the surface of the potting soil. Note that you should not spread the pine needles too thickly or press them too firmly. A thickness of about 1 cm is enough.

4. Spreading pine needle soil on the pot surface not only allows water and air to pass through, but also increases humidity and adjusts the pH of the soil, making flowers grow vigorously without root rot. Of course, pine needles can not only cover the pot surface, but can also be placed at the bottom of the pot or mixed into the soil for growing flowers, and the effects are all great.

4. Sheep manure pellets

There is another good thing for covering the pot surface, namely sheep manure pellets. This is rare in cities and more common in rural areas. Especially those sheep manure pellets that have been weathered outdoors for a long time have no odor. Placed on the pot surface, they allow air through and slowly release fertilizer, without harming roots. They are unsurpassed for growing flowers!

How to spread sheep manure pellets on the surface?

1. Collect sheep manure pellets. If you do not have the conditions to collect them, you can also buy fermented ones online, which is very convenient.

2. If they are unfermented sheep manure pellets, you can put them in a plastic bag and moisten them with a spray bottle,

then seal the bag and put it in the sun to bake. Now about 2 weeks or so is enough. After they are fully decomposed, put them in the sun to dry.

3. Sprinkle the fermented and dried sheep manure pellets on the surface of the flower pot. Note that you should not use too many. Although sheep manure pellets will not burn roots, everyone should still use an appropriate amount. A large pot should have at most 30 pellets, and a medium or small pot at most 20 pellets.

4. With each watering, sheep manure pellets deliver nutrients to the flower root system. Sprinkle a few sheep manure pellets on the pot surface, and basically no fertilization is needed for a year. Of course, if you are still worried about odor, you can place the sheep manure pellets at the bottom of the pot, or bury them 2-3 cm below the surface of the potting soil, or mix them with the soil when planting flowers.

5. Sand

Effects: prevents mosquitoes and insects, prevents root rot

Everyone knows that sand can be used for cuttings, soil mixing, and lining the bottom of pots, but did you know it can also cover the pot surface? Using sand to cover the surface not only allows water and air to pass through and prevents root rot, but can also prevent mosquitoes and insects. Most importantly, it is super beautiful when used to grow succulents!

How to spread sand on the surface?

1. For the sand used to cover the surface, do not use especially fine sand. Instead, choose coarse sand about the size of a soybean.

2. Pick out coarse sand of suitable size and rinse it with clean water 2-3 times until the water used for rinsing is no longer cloudy.

3. Dry the rinsed coarse sand in the sun, then spread it on the pot surface. It allows water and air to pass through. Note that it should not be too thick, 0.5-0.3 cm is enough; if it is too thick, water permeability will be poor.

4. Spreading a layer of coarse sand on the surface of the potting soil can block moist soil, prevent mosquitoes and insects from laying eggs in the soil, and completely avoid mosquito and insect disturbance.

6. Ceramsite or coal cinders

Effects: prevents root rot, increases humidity

Ceramsite is already very famous for growing flowers. Many people know to use it at the bottom of pots to prevent root rot, but they do not know that covering the pot surface with it also has many benefits. It can not only prevent root rot and insects, but also increase humidity and air permeability, making flower roots thick and white! It is especially suitable for large potted plants and succulents.

How to spread ceramsite on the surface?

1. Rinse the purchased ceramsite several times and dry it. You should buy the kind with large particles and light texture.

2. Spread the ceramsite on the surface of the potting soil. Basically, a thin layer is enough. Do not make it too thick or use too much.

3. Ceramsite has a loose texture and many gaps. It can absorb excess accumulated water in the pot, avoid root rot, and increase humidity.

In addition, ceramsite covers the surface soil and isolates mosquitoes and insects, preventing them from laying eggs in the soil, so it can also achieve an insect-prevention effect.

7. Moss

Effects: moisturizing, heat preservation, adjusting pH

Everyone is very familiar with using moss to cover the surface. It has a good moisturizing effect, is beautiful, and can also cool and keep warm and adjust the pH of the potting soil. It can be said to have many uses. It is excellent for growing orchids, Phalaenopsis, ferns, carnivorous plants, bonsai, and other flowers. So how exactly should moss be spread on the surface? Listen to Qinnong Web explain it slowly!

How to spread moss on the surface?

1. Dig up some fresh moss and rinse the soil substrate from the moss roots clean, because the outside soil contains many bacteria and insect eggs. Mix the prepared moss, fine sand, and leaf mold together with water and stir evenly. The ratio is: moss:leaf mold:fine sand = 4:4:2.

2. Stir the above 3 things into a paste, then spread it flat on the surface of the potting soil! Do not worry that the moss has been broken up, because even if it is broken up, the moss will still grow out.

3. Within 1 week after planting, keep it moist and spray water on the moss 1-2 times a day. After that, the moss will gradually grow out. After it grows out, just water thoroughly whenever you see the pot surface is dry.

8. Eggshells

Effects: eggshells are similarly rich and contain nutrients such as iron, phosphorus, calcium, and magnesium. Spread on the pot surface, they can not only promote the growth of flower roots, but also prevent and control mosquitoes and insects, and improve the cold resistance and disease resistance of flowers.

How to spread eggshells on the surface?

1. Wash used eggshells clean and expose them to the sun for several days until they break with a pinch.

2. Crush the eggshells with your feet. The finer the better.

3. You can also use a household blender and put the eggshells in to crush them.

4. The crushed eggshells can then be sprinkled on the surface of the potting soil. Likewise, a thin layer is enough. With water, the eggshells slowly release nutrients such as calcium and phosphorus, which are absorbed by the flowers, and the flowers will grow especially vigorously.

The above are some things that Qinnong Web wants to introduce to everyone that can be spread on the pot surface. Do not underestimate them. These also play a considerable role in the healthy growth of green plants, so be sure to make good use of them!