Pick the right soil for your flowers, and they will grow tall and strong

Many flower lovers think flower soil is hard to find, but actually flowers are not very demanding about soil; as long as it "suits their taste," any soil can be good soil for growing flowers. So why does ordinary soil fail to grow flowers well? It is mainly because the soil's pH is not properly managed!

The acidity and alkalinity of soil

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO GROWING FLOWERS

We generally assume that northern soil is mainly alkaline and southern soil is acidic, so how do we define whether soil is acidic or alkaline?

1. pH testing

The more scientific way is to judge by pH (acidity and alkalinity) value. Put the test paper in the soil solution for 10 seconds, take it out and compare the color with the color chart. If the color value is less than 6.5, it is on the acidic side; if the value is greater than 7.5, it is on the alkaline side

2. General classification

Based on common knowledge, soil that is darker in color and looser and softer is acidic soil, as shown in the pictures below

Alkaline soil is drier, whitish, and harder and more compact. There are generally three types: calcareous soil, saline soil, and alkaline soil

Flowers that prefer acidic or alkaline soil

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO GROWING FLOWERS

If you do not know whether the flowers in your home prefer acidic or alkaline soil, blindly using or changing soil is very risky. In mild cases they will grow poorly; in severe cases they will die immediately!

Most flowers like slightly acidic soil; only when the soil is slightly acidic can they grow healthily. There are also alkaline-tolerant flowers that can still grow well even if the soil is a bit alkaline

Acid-loving: Chinese rose, gardenia, jasmine, hydrangea, Aglaia odorata, camellia, white orchid, azalea, begonia types, kumquat, pine types, and so on

Alkaline-tolerant: pomegranate, Banksia rose, hibiscus, wisteria, goji berry, oleander, elm-leaved spirea, winter jasmine, lilac, and so on

If the soil around you is too acidic or too alkaline, the water is likewise acidic or alkaline. Even if you buy professional flower soil, as you grow the plants it will still turn into unsuitable soil. At this point do not panic; we can manually adjust the soil's acidity and alkalinity

Neutralizing acidic soil

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO GROWING FLOWERS

1. Sprinkle lime to neutralize acidity

The soil in Guangzhou, Guangxi, or other southern mountainous areas is too strongly acidic. Add to that the fact that environmental pollution is now quite serious, and in some areas the soil is strongly acidic and simply cannot be used to grow flowers!

Flower lovers can refer to the methods used by agriculture and forestry departments: sprinkle a bit of lime into the soil, about a handful per pot of soil, and mix it evenly. It kills insects and sterilizes while also neutralizing the acidity

2. Add water and filter to reduce acidity

Add water to acidic soil, let it settle for half a day, then pour off the water, add water again, and repeat this "washing" 2-3 times to reduce the soil's acidity

3. Plant ash to neutralize acidity

Plant ash is also an alkaline flower fertilizer. It can neutralize soil acidity and also sterilize and supplement nutrients for flowers

For succulents, pothos, Chinese roses, and others that like slight acidity and cannot tolerate strong acidity, you can mix plant ash into the flower soil (be careful not to add too much, as it easily burns the roots). It is a very good alkaline fertilizer

Turning alkaline soil acidic

THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO GROWING FLOWERS

1. Mix in leaf mold to increase acidity

Flower lovers in the north have alkaline soil around their homes. You can mix in some dead leaves, pine needles, and so on. It is best to let them rot first before use; they become finer and make it easy for flowers to take root

Leaf mold is a very nutritious acidic fertilizer. As an old poem says, "Fallen blossoms are not heartless things; turned into spring mud, they protect the flowers even more"

2. Mix in manure soil to increase acidity

Alkaline soil can also be mixed with manure soil. Whether it is poultry or livestock manure, or even worm castings, all can be used

Be careful not to add too much. Generally, for a 2-gallon flower pot, mixing in 2-3 handfuls of manure soil is enough; too much easily burns the roots

3. Add chemical granules to quickly remove alkalinity

There are professional sulfur powder, ferric sulfate, and aluminum sulfate sold on the market. Flower lovers can add them directly to alkaline soil according to the instructions, and they can quickly change the soil's alkalinity

Especially for flowers like hydrangea and Chinese rose that are relatively sensitive to soil acidity and alkalinity, these chemical granules can quickly change the flower color

Hydrangeas turn blue in acidic conditions and pink in alkaline conditions. You can control their color according to your preference

After reading this

Is the soil in your home acidic or alkaline?

If you want to change the acidity and alkalinity of your flower soil

Then hurry up and give it a try

?