How to Choose Soil for Flower Care? Practical Soil Selection Tips
Flowering plants can only grow well in the soil that suits them best, and different flowers have different soil requirements at different growth stages.
Generally speaking, plant growth requires soil with good water and fertilizer retention. Generally, soil rich in humus has good water and fertilizer retention capacity. For soil with poor performance, organic matter can be applied to improve it. Soil can be divided into three types:
Sandy soil: Sandy soil has large gaps between soil particles, good aeration and water permeability, but relatively weak water and fertilizer retention. It warms up easily and also cools down easily. After fertilization, the nutrient effect is rapid but short-lived. Sandy soil has a relatively large temperature difference between day and night.
Clay soil: Clay soil has small gaps between soil particles and poor aeration. Clay soil has relatively strong water and fertilizer retention. After fertilization, the nutrient effect in clay soil lasts relatively long. The temperature difference between day and night in clay soil is relatively small, which is not conducive to the growth of flower seedlings.
Loam soil: Loam soil combines the advantages of sandy soil and clay soil, with good water and fertilizer retention and good aeration. The soil temperature is stable, making it suitable for the growth of most flowering plants.
Organic Matter and Microorganisms in Soil
Organic matter has a major impact on soil performance. The amount of organic matter in soil depends on the quantity of fertilizer applied and the type and quality of the fertilizer. The organic matter in soil contains various elements needed for plant growth, such as the common carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, iron and other trace elements. The decomposition of organic matter in soil relies on the action of microorganisms. Through the enzymes secreted by microorganisms, elements that plants cannot absorb are converted into water-soluble readily available nutrients for plants to absorb.
The more beneficial bacteria in the soil, the better the soil fertility, and the better the flowering plants grow.
The pH of the soil must also suit the growth of flowering plants to keep them growing well. Soil that is too acidic or too alkaline is detrimental to the growth of flowering plants. Too much acidic fertilizer in the soil will increase soil acidity, in which case alkaline fertilizers such as plant ash and lime can be applied to neutralize it. Conversely, if the alkalinity of the soil increases, acidic fertilizer can be applied to neutralize it. Soil pH is expressed as the pH value. A pH of 7 is neutral, less than 7 is acidic, and greater than 7 is alkaline.
Flowering plants that are relatively suited to growing in weakly acidic soil, that is, with a pH value of around 5-6, include camellias and rhododendrons, while neutral soil with a pH value of 7 is relatively suitable for planting flowers such as begonias or primroses. Flowers tolerant of alkaline soil include plants such as geraniums, and sweet peas can tolerate soil with a pH above 8.
In order to make the soil suitable for the growth needs of various flowering plants, the acidity and alkalinity of the soil can be improved.