Charcoal is a great thing for growing flowers, and potted plants grow vigorously when it is used

When it comes to charcoal, everyone is surely familiar with it. Whether it was the earliest heating and metallurgy or its development today for grilling and deodorizing, it is indispensable. Of course, besides these uses, charcoal also has many functions we are not very familiar with. For example, when used in flower growing, its role is especially great. It not only helps plants root quickly and grow well, but also improves the soil. It really is a great magic tool for growing flowers and plants!

Why charcoal can be used for home flower and potted plant growing is actually mainly related to its characteristics. It has very good water absorption and water retention, is rich in nutrient elements such as phosphorus, calcium, boron and potassium, and charcoal powder can also serve as a preservative for succulent plants. Of course, as a cutting medium, charcoal also performs very well, greatly increasing the survival rate of plant cuttings and, by the way, achieving the goal of improving the soil. Now let us take a look at several major benefits of using charcoal to grow flowers!

A good substrate for growing flowers

Some of charcoal's own advantages make it easy for it to become a good substrate for growing our flowers and plants. Wash the charcoal with clean water to remove impurities and expose it to the sun for a few days. After making sure it contains no components harmful to flowers, it can officially be made into a substrate. Use a tool to crush the already treated charcoal, and then, if conditions allow, sieve it with screens of different mesh sizes. Large pieces of charcoal can be placed directly at the bottom of the flowerpot to increase the pot's drainage, while small particles of charcoal crumbs can be evenly mixed with garden soil and leaf mold at a ratio of 1:2:2. While providing enough nutrients for plant growth, this can also increase the air permeability!

A good helper for cuttings

Besides being put directly into the soil, charcoal still plays an important role during our cutting process! Insert the sterilized cuttings' branches and buds into small pieces of charcoal already placed in a container, and put the container in a cool, ventilated place with diffused light. Generally, after about two weeks, the branches will take root. This speed is very fast because charcoal itself is loose in texture and has good drainage and moisture retention, which can provide a good humidity environment for the cuttings. In addition, charcoal is black and has the function of absorbing heat, so it has strong heat preservation, thereby making the cuttings respire vigorously. This promotes metabolism. The charcoal here is best chosen as the perforated charcoal used for grilling, because it is easier to insert the cuttings into it.

Improving acidic soil

Another characteristic of charcoal is that it can prevent soil acidification and improve soil that is too acidic. After fully grinding it into powder and mixing it with soil, it can effectively prevent the soil from acidifying after repeated application of organic fertilizer, and because charcoal itself has relatively strong adsorption capacity, it can absorb and retain nutrients in the soil, while the minerals it is rich in can also help plants grow. So considering many aspects comprehensively, adding a little charcoal to the soil of potted plants is very effective!