What raw materials are used for homemade potting soil for container flowers

(1) Garden soil (also called vegetable garden soil or field soil): This is ordinary cultivation soil. Because it is frequently fertilized and cultivated, it has relatively high fertility and good aggregate structure, and is one of the main raw materials for preparing potting soil. Its drawbacks are that when dry, the surface layer easily becomes compacted, and when wet, air permeability and water permeability are poor, so it cannot be used alone. Surface sandy loam soil that has previously grown vegetables or legume crops is best.

(2) Leaf mold (also called humus soil): A potting soil made by mixing various plant leaves, weeds, etc. into garden soil, adding water and human feces and urine, and then piling, fermenting, and decomposing it. The pH value is acidic. It must be sun-dried and sieved before use.

(3) Mountain soil: This is a natural soil containing humus, loose in texture, and acidic. Compared with black mountain soil, Huangshan soil is relatively more clayey and contains less humus. According to measurements, the black mountain soil of Heilongjiang and Ningbo has the highest humus content. Mountain soil is often used as the main potting soil material for acid-loving flowers such as camellias, orchids, and rhododendrons.

(4) River sand (also called plain sand soil): It has good drainage and air permeability. When mixed into heavy clay soil, it can improve the soil's physical structure and increase the soil's drainage and aeration. Its drawback is that it has no fertility at all. It can be used as a material for preparing potting soil, and can also be used alone as a cutting or sowing substrate. When sea sand is used as potting soil, it must be rinsed with fresh water, otherwise the salt content is too high and affects flower growth.

(5) Rice husk ash and plant ash: The former is the ash left after burning rice husks, and the latter is the ash left after burning rice straw or other weeds. Both contain abundant potassium fertilizer. Adding them to potting soil makes it drain well and keeps the soil loose, and also increases the potassium fertilizer content; the pH value is on the alkaline side.