How to measure the pH of flower-growing media? A detailed guide to the methods

I. Judging the pH of growing media

1. Slightly acidic soil is mostly black, brown, or brownish-black; alkaline soil is white, gray, or yellow.

2. When watered, acidic soil drains through immediately and the runoff looks cloudy; when watered, alkaline soil produces white bubbles or a white froth.

3. After watering, acidic soil is loose and soft; after watering, alkaline soil becomes compacted and dries quickly, with a layer of white powdery material on the surface.

4. Acidic soil has many aggregates, and on close inspection you can see particles resembling grains of rice; alkaline soil looks like white sand, with few or no visible aggregates.

II. Measuring the pH value of growing media

1. A rapid pH test method is usually used; a measured pH of 7 is neutral, less than 7 is acidic, and greater than 7 is alkaline.

2. For testing, you can buy a box of wide-range pH (acid-base) test paper from a chemical reagent store; it contains a set of standard color charts for color comparison and judgment.

3. For testing, take a small spoonful of the growing medium soil sample and put it in a clean glass cup, add cool water (preferably neutral purified water) and stir; after it settles, dip a strip of test paper into the solution, take it out after 1 second, compare it with the standard color chart, and find the chart number whose color is closest to the test paper, so that the pH value of the soil can be determined.