Acidic soil suits acid-loving plants: how to identify and improve it

Acidic soil generally refers to soil with a pH below 6.5, and it is usually red, yellow or brownish red in color with a relatively loose feel. This type of soil is widely distributed in southern China, and the common red earth and yellow earth are typical examples. Because leaching is strong, alkaline substances such as calcium and magnesium in the soil are easily lost, while iron and aluminum are relatively more abundant.

There are several simple ways to tell whether soil is acidic. First, look at the color: reddish or yellowish soil is mostly acidic. You can also take a little soil, add water and stir it into a slurry, let it stand, then dip pH test paper into the clear liquid on top and compare it with the color chart to read the acidity or alkalinity. In addition, places where moss grows easily on the ground and where acid-loving plants grow well are mostly acidic as well.

Acidic soil is suitable for planting acid-loving plants, and common ones include gardenia, jasmine, rhododendron, camellia, blueberry and tea plant. Once these plants are grown in alkaline soil, they often develop yellow leaves and slow growth. When mixing soil, adjust the acidity to a slightly acidic state so the roots can absorb nutrients more smoothly.

For home flower growing, if you want to keep the soil acidic for a long time, you can mix in leaf mold, pine needle soil or peat soil when preparing the mix, and you can also occasionally add a small amount of ferrous sulfate solution when watering. Conversely, if the soil has become too acidic, sprinkling some plant ash or a small amount of lime can neutralize it. Pay attention to loosening the soil in daily care to prevent compaction; when the soil structure is good, the plants will naturally grow vigorously.