How to choose soil for flowers and green plants? A brief overview of its importance and how to make it

Growing flowers is a favorite pastime of many gardening enthusiasts online, but for many beginner flower growers, growing a pot of flowers well is actually really difficult, because starting from growing and buying flowers, we have to face many uncertain factors.

So what are the things we need to pay special attention to when growing flowers? We have to start with the planting of flowers, and the most important thing is the choice of soil. Soil is the foundation for the growth of flowers and plants. If the soil does not meet the growth needs of the plant, then a series of problems caused by improper care will arise due to unsuitable soil. So, if we choose the right soil at the moment of selection, it will be of great benefit to the future care of the flowers and plants.

Since soil is so important, what kind of soil should we choose first for growing flowers and green plants? Actually, for different flowers and green plants, the choice of soil also varies. For example, soil can be acidic, neutral, or alkaline. Some flowers like acidic soil, some flowers like neutral soil, and some flowers can only grow in alkaline soil.

We often find that some flower growers' plants never have problems with root rot or yellow leaves, and the important secret lies in the soil. It is no exaggeration to say that if the right soil is chosen for a flower, its growth rate can also greatly increase. If we must make a speed comparison, it could be ten times, or even higher.

So when growing plants and flowers, we must first understand what type of soil these plants like. Choosing the right soil type is the first step toward good growth, and the effect is almost like getting twice the result with half the effort! For example, camellias prefer acidic soil when growing, and gardenias are the same. If you choose wrong, then it is very regrettable.

Besides the acidity or alkalinity of the soil, the fertility level and drainage performance of the soil are also important factors that determine whether it has a positive effect on plant growth. It can be said with great certainty that almost all soil-grown plants like this kind of soil, while some soils that are heavily clayey, poor in drainage, poor in aeration, or too barren are extremely unfavorable to plant growth.

So what kind of soil is fertile, loose, and well-draining? Actually, to judge whether it has these conditions, we can also reach a conclusion by observing the soil.

Soil rich in organic matter is very good for plant growth. Whether organic matter is abundant or not is a matter of how high or low the content of nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium is. Generally, soil in forests where fallen leaves accumulate in large amounts is also relatively rich in organic matter, especially those black soils. Second, soil in places where animals often move around is also relatively rich in organic matter, because the content of animal droppings is also relatively high.

In other words, the leaf mold soil and garden soil we commonly see are all very good soils with rich organic matter and fertility.

Loose soil is crucial to the growth of plant roots. Any soil that is not breathable will hinder plant growth, because plant roots not only need drainage and water absorption, but also need to breathe. In a closed space, oxygen is very limited, making growth extremely difficult for plants.

So what kind of soil has the characteristics of being loose and breathable? For example, sandy loam soil is very good, with countless drainage channels and also the air pores needed for plant growth.

Therefore, a wise flower grower can always find some soil that balances various growing conditions. For example, if a plant has very high requirements for drainage, aeration, and fertility, then we can use one part leaf mold soil plus one part sandy loam soil, or add some bark, clay pebbles, or similar things when mixing, to achieve soil that meets the growth needs of that plant.

So what manifestations does alkaline soil have to help us make a judgment? For example, it easily compacts, easily cracks, easily accumulates water when watered thoroughly, and the soil is relatively sticky. These are all inherent characteristics of alkaline soil.

Of course, when we use soil, we generally need to go through a long process of summing up experience. In fact, the soil others use for growing flowers may look unremarkable, but the skills involved cannot be mastered overnight. We beginner flower growers must be good at summarizing so that we can improve faster.