What is the invisible killer of potted flowers? 3 tips to solve it

Soil compaction in pots is the invisible killer of flower growing. Once the potting soil becomes compacted, plant roots cannot penetrate, and the compacted soil has poor air permeability, so the roots cannot stretch out and breathe. No matter what kind of potted plant is grown in such soil, it will grow well. Doing this is practically burying the flowers alive.

If the potting soil is compacted, and if the temperature is suitable, we can directly repot the potted plant with new soil, soak the compacted soil loose with clean water to reduce damage to the roots, and then replant it in loose, breathable soil. For potted plants, the most important thing is to be loose and breathable, making it easy for the plant roots to penetrate deeply and absorb more nutrients.

If repotting is not convenient, first use a small rake to loosen the surface of the potting soil, then spread a layer of dry fertilizer on the soil surface. In this way, the surface of the potting soil will not easily become compacted. When watering, the organic fertilizer will enter the potting soil as the water penetrates, also supplementing the potting soil with nutrients.

So how should we usually prevent potting soil from becoming compacted?

1. Do not use a single type of soil.

The potting soil for growing flowers should be chosen according to the habits of the potted plant. Generally, potted plants need loose, breathable soil. Do not directly use garden soil to grow them, because garden soil has poor air permeability. You can use some humus soil (leaf mold, peat soil), granular soil (such as large-particle river sand, coal cinders, perlite), etc., and then mix in a little garden soil. Soil like this is loose, breathable, and fertile, suitable for most potted green plants. You can also dry peanut shells and eggshells at home, crush them, and add them to the soil, which can help make it loose and breathable.

2. Watering

Do not water directly with tap water, as it easily causes the potting soil to become compacted and alkalized, because tap water contains bleaching powder, chlorine, and other substances. It is best to let it sit for one or two days before use so some of these can evaporate. When watering, you must water thoroughly. Failure to water thoroughly can easily damage the roots at the bottom of the flowerpot and cause the soil at the bottom to become compacted and unable to breathe.

3. Use chemical fertilizers as little as possible.

Many expert flower growers make their own organic fertilizers, such as cake fertilizer, fish intestine water, and they do not even throw away vegetable leaves or crushed bones, but directly compost them and use the finished product to water flowers. The organic matter in these organic fertilizers not only supplements nutrients but also makes the soil loose and breathable, suitable for long-term use. Potted flowers will thrive! Long-term use of chemical fertilizers will accelerate soil compaction.

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