When growing indoor flowers in your home, you need to make sure that they feel as comfortable as possible. To achieve this goal, first of all, you need to choose the right soil, which will combine all the qualities that a particular plant needs.
Types of garden lands are conventionally divided into 3 groups, each of which has its own individual characteristics and is suitable for certain plants.
Light soil
This soil is perfect for growing flowers with a shallow root system, such as aloe, begonia, cyclamentum and gloxinia. It is also successfully used for rooting cuttings and growing seedlings. The standard scheme for preparing light soil includes the following elements:
- 3 parts peat;
- Part 1 leaf soil;
- 1 part humus;
- 1 part sand.
Medium soil
Most indoor plants They prefer this particular soil composition because it is optimal and balanced. This soil mixture is prepared from the following components:
- 2 parts of turf land;
- 2 parts humus;
- 1 part sand;
- 1 part peat.
Heavy soils
This type is suitable for large plants with a branched and powerful root system, which is located quite deep. Examples of such flowers are palms, dracaenas and clivias. Typically, a heavy soil mixture is prepared from the following components:
- 1 part humus;
- 1 part coarse sand;
- 5 parts turf soil.
Knowing the preferences of plants regarding the quality of the soil, you can easily prepare it yourself at home. All components can be prepared and assembled with your own hands or purchased at a specialized store.
Benefits of homemade soil
Soil for indoor flowers, prepared with your own hands, has many advantages:
- When preparing a soil mixture, you can add all the necessary components to it and select the proportions in such a way that they are suitable specifically for the flowers being grown. Soil purchased in a store often consists of peat diluted with useful minerals and trace elements, and mixtures for different types of plants have average values;
- Self-made soil will help simplify plant care, because if you properly balance all the components, you can ensure the necessary circulation of moisture and reduce the number of mandatory fertilizing;
- When made correctly, homemade soil will be as close as possible to natural habitat conditions plantings, besides, such land is softer and easier to maintain;
- Harvesting the land yourself you can control its acidity level and fertility, which will help to avoid mistakes when growing indoor flowers.
How to prepare the soil at home?
First of all, you need to find out about the preferences of the flower being grown. and select the soil composition in accordance with them. It is also very important to know what components may be included in the soil mixture:
- Sod or turf land- to cook on your own this type soil may take several years. Throughout the spring or early summer, you need to take several layers of soil from fertile meadows or fields, stack them on top of each other and mix them with manure. In this form, the soil mixture will infuse for 1-2 years. Before adding such soil to a flower pot, it must be sifted well;
- Leaf ground, as the name suggests, should be prepared from the green part garden trees, such as apple, ash or linden. In late autumn, immediately after leaf fall, the leaves are collected, placed in a barrel and mixed with slaked lime. After the leaves rot, they can be used as a component in preparing soil for indoor plants;
- Peat can be purchased at flower shops or at specialized bases. When purchasing this component, you need to pay attention to the fact that it should be soft and crumbly. Only in this case will peat be useful for the life of plants;
- Sand is an indispensable component of a large number of soil compositions. Thanks to this component, the soil will become more breathable, and root system will receive required quantity oxygen. You can collect sand yourself, but only in this case will it be necessary to clean it of any impurities that it may contain;
- Humus can be easily prepared from cow or horse manure. To do this, it is collected in one place and tightly covered with film or cloth. In this form, the manure should lie for at least two years. The resulting humus should be crumbly and homogeneous, the pungent odor present initially should disappear;
- Compost is made using the same method as humus, only plant and food waste is used instead of manure;
- Many plants are very fond of additives consisting of the bark of coniferous trees, which is removed, boiled and crushed;
- Another popular addition would be pine needles. It is harvested by removing the top layer of soil along with coniferous litter. First, it is composted together with sand and peat. The needles are mixed with the main soil only after undergoing the rotting process;
- Make the soil looser and you can avoid souring it with the help of sphagnum moss or charcoal.
Needles are added to the soil composition of those plants that prefer to grow in an acidic environment.
Also a very important component of the earth is drainage layer, which is placed on the bottom flower pot. You can make it yourself from fine expanded clay, perlite, marble chips or broken bricks. Using drainage when growing plants promotes proper circulation of air and water during watering.
To prepare the ideal soil for your plant, you need to study its needs. and natural habitats and, based on the information received, create the correct soil mixture. It is also very important to maintain the level of soil fertility and acidity, because these indicators affect the health and growth rate of the plant. If the prepared soil is unsuitable for the flower, it will most likely die, so when performing such work, every little detail must be taken into account.
Sod can be replaced with fertile and well-fertilized garden soil.
Making your own soil for indoor plants is not only very interesting, but useful activity. By doing this work, you can better understand the structure and preference of the plant. In this case, caring for the flower will be greatly simplified, because the manually prepared soil will have all the necessary properties and will reduce the plant’s need for additional procedures.
For the full development of flowers, vegetable and coniferous crops, and aquarium flora, special soil is required. This rating included the best, specially prepared soil for outdoor and indoor plantings in pots. It is compiled on the basis of customer reviews and expert opinions; it discusses in detail all the advantages and possible disadvantages of the proposed compositions. Familiarization with them will make it easier to choose the best soil for plants.
When deciding which soil is best for planting, many gardeners turn to online forums for advice. And, judging by the reviews left there, most users trust the quality of the products of the following brands:
- Seliger-Agro – Russian manufacturer a variety of soils and fertilizers intended for floriculture and growing vegetables. The company was founded in 1991 and specializes in the production of peat-based soil mixtures and fertilizers. The holding uses high-tech equipment, which allows it to guarantee high quality products.
- ASB Greenworld – German company, which has been supplying Russian market soil mixtures and fertilizers. The company owns several dozen peat fields located in Germany, Estonia and Canada. When producing soil, special attention is paid to the stage of collecting and processing peat, as well as enriching the finished products with additional components (bark, perlite, etc.)
- Fusco– a popular Russian brand of care products various types street and indoor flowers at all stages of their development. The company was founded in 1993 and recently changed its name to Garden Retail Service. Despite this, the company continues to produce high-quality products according to affordable prices. At the moment, the company's assortment includes more than 180 types of certified products.
- Tetra is a German company that is part of the American concern Spectrum Brands. This is one of the oldest production facilities on the aquarium and garden pond farming market. Since the 50s of the 20th century, the company has been producing food for the inhabitants of reservoirs, as well as products for the care of vegetation and equipment for aquariums. Most Tetra products are patented or manufactured using unique technologies.
- JBL is a German company that currently produces more than 1000 products for aquariums and terrariums. All JBL products are manufactured at the Neuhofen plant, equipped with last word technology. The company carefully monitors every stage of production and regularly pleases customers with a new line of products. An interesting innovative discovery in the company’s product range is soil various colors for an aquarium.
- Peter Peat– a modern Russian enterprise producing nutrient soils, organic fertilizers and peat substrates. The company was formed on the basis of the fuel and energy complex created back in the 50s. Currently, it specializes in the extraction and processing of high-moor sphagnum peat with a low degree of decomposition, lowland and transitional peats. The main places of extraction of raw materials are located in the Ryazan region and Karelia.
- Agricola is a popular Russian brand of the trading and industrial company Technoexport. This company was founded in 1996 and today develops, registers, produces, imports, exports and wholesales soil mixtures, fertilizers and a wide range of care products for various crops. The company is a member of the Plant Protection Association of the Russian Federation, its products have received 85 highest awards based on the results of participation in Russian and international exhibitions.
- Sera is a German company whose range includes almost a full range of products: for aquariums, garden ponds and terrariums. The company ensures the high quality of its products by observing strict rules established by the GMP standard during their production. They are used at all stages of production, which guarantees a long shelf life.
- Pelgorskoye-M is a Russian peat enterprise that produces planting soils under the Morris Green and Dobry Pomoshchi brands. Today the company's product range includes 19 mixtures for growing flowers, vegetables, shrubs and ornamental plants. The company's products meet European standards and have been awarded in many competitions, including the Golden Badge of Excellence at an international exhibition.
Rating of the best soils for plants
- Softness, lightness and friability;
- Acidity;
- Compound;
- The presence of a certain set of micronutrients;
- No foreign matter or debris;
- Good aeration (ability to pass air);
- Required humidity;
- Convenient packaging;
- Price.
Also, when selecting goods, we paid attention to the volume offered by manufacturers. Today, several types of mixtures can be purchased in stores. Flower growers divide the soil mixture into universal (intended for planting most unpretentious crops) and special, which takes into account the specific needs of plants. Our rating includes the most popular options of both the first and second types.
The best soils for flowers
When growing flowers, it is very important to choose good soil for indoor plants, because the speed of their growth and development depends on its composition. Our rating includes the 3 most reliable options, according to florists.
Seliger-Agro for flowers and indoor plants
This peat-based crumbly soil is intended for replanting indoor flowers and ornamental plants. It has a rich brown and contains a fairly large complex of useful microelements (nitrogen, phosphorus oxide and potassium). The soil is packaged in 5 liter plastic bags and has an unlimited shelf life, which is very practical when it is necessary to replant a small number of flora representatives. For ease of use, the manufacturer has included detailed instructions on the packaging.
Advantages:
- Quite loose;
- No lumps or debris;
- Compact packaging;
- Easy to care for flora;
- Affordable price.
Flaws:
- Doesn't absorb water very well.
The Seliger-Agro mixture has a fairly high rating on websites, but experienced users advise taking into account that after watering the soil settles - it will probably have to be replenished over time.
ASB Greenworld for flowers universal
ASB Greenworld primer has universal purpose and can be used for growing both ornamental plants and seedlings and lawns, or for filling holes when transplanting ornamental trees. It is recommended for camellias, kalanchoes, begonias, violets, gerberas, roses, phlox, peonies, and daylilies. The only exceptions are flowers that prefer acidic soil. This composition accumulates and distributes nutrients well, does not caking and has high air exchange qualities.
Advantages:
- Easy;
- Crumbly;
- Convenient packaging that does not tear;
- Wide range of applications (both at home and in the country);
- Contains a good range of micronutrients.
Flaws:
- Sometimes you come across quite large wood chips.
Many gardeners value this soil for its versatility, but most buyers advise sifting it thoroughly before use to get rid of large pieces of wood.
Fusco floral
This flower soil is recommended for planting violets, geraniums, ivy, roses, chlorophytum, monstera, yucca, dracaena, tulips, crocuses, daffodils, iris, all types of ficus and citrus fruits. It is completely ready for use and contains a well-balanced set of nutrients necessary for the full development of plants. The soil does not contain pathogenic elements and viable weed seeds; the raw material promotes the development of the root system of flowers.
Advantages:
- Clean;
- Soft;
- Creates good conditions for development;
- Free from trash and weeds;
- Absorbs moisture well;
- Inexpensive.
Flaws:
- Prone to hardening.
The main rule for using Fasco is to first open the package, mix its contents and let the soil saturate with oxygen for an hour.
The best soils for aquarium plants
There are special requirements for the soil mixture for an aquarium - it must settle well to the bottom, not interfere with water filtration, strengthen the roots and at the same time be safe for aquatic inhabitants. The TOP includes two of the best soils for underwater plants.
Tetra Active Substrate natural clay granules are suitable for aquatic life. Unlike ordinary gravel, they support the full functioning of the aquarium, activate the growth of beneficial soil bacteria, prevent rotting of roots and reduce the level of water pollution from organic substances. This reduces the load on the filter and increases the service life of the product. The porous structure of the raw material creates optimal conditions for securing fragile roots, and the round shape is safe for bottom fish.
Advantages:
- Effective;
- Attractive appearance;
- Natural;
- Ensures good water circulation;
- Harmless to fish.
Flaws:
- Not cheap.
Tetra Active Substrate is a high-quality and reliable product that has only positive reviews. But it guarantees the purity and transparency of the water only if you thoroughly rinse it under water before filling the aquarium. running water. This will help remove particles destroyed during transportation that may have contaminated the water.
JBL Manado
JBL Manado soil is designed specifically for filling an aquarium. It is non-toxic so hazardous substances does not highlight, but at the same time does not reduce the degree of its rigidity. Round shape granules are excellent for securing roots and preventing fish from eating them. The porous structure creates optimal conditions for the colonization of cleansing bacteria. The soil also absorbs excess fertilizer from the water and thereby prevents the growth of unwanted algae.
Advantages:
- Beautiful color;
- Creates good conditions for growth;
- The water does not become cloudy;
- Prevents the growth of algae weeds;
- Safe for fish.
Flaws:
- Very light, so purging the aquarium takes longer.
JBL Manado is highly valued by many aquarists, but experienced users advise immediately purchasing a base for it from the same manufacturer.
The best soils for conifers
When choosing soil for coniferous plants, special attention should be paid to moisture and the ability of the soil mixture to provide high-quality air exchange. For this rating, two brands were selected, which, according to user reviews, optimally meet these criteria.
Peter Peat Hobby for conifers
This is a completely ready-to-use nutrient soil mixture with a moisture content of at least 65%. It consists of high-moor and low-lying peat, river sand, agropertil and limestone flour. This soil is perfect for planting spruce, fir, pine, thuja and juniper. It provides optimal levels of acidity and contains numerous nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. When using this product, the manufacturer guarantees good survival of plants and improvement of their decorative qualities.
Advantages:
- Effective;
- No sticky lumps;
- Natural smell;
- Rich in mineral fertilizers;
- Ensures good survival rate;
- Affordable price.
Flaws:
- Some users don't like excess moisture.
Peat soil Peter Peat – good option ready-made mixture for planting needles. But many users, when preparing a tree for this, try to add additional mineral fertilizers to the ground. There is no need to do this with this soil, since the entire complex of necessary substances is already included in its composition.
Agricola for conifers
This universal primer based on peat for planting coniferous crops, indoor and ornamental plants. This soil mixture has a good ability to accumulate and evenly release nutrition. Thanks to the high-moor peat in the composition, high-quality air supply to the roots is ensured and at the same time a sufficient amount of moisture is retained. The mixture contains a standard starting mineral complex, suitable for a wide range of decorative coniferous flora.
Advantages:
- Maintains constant looseness and activity;
- No obvious garbage;
- Good air permeability;
- Does not clump;
- Convenient plastic packaging that does not tear.
Flaws:
- Small volume.
Buyers of Agricola sometimes encounter the problem of yellowing branches on planted shrubs. To avoid this, a month after planting, the damaged parts need to be cut off, and the rest should be fed with a special complex. mineral fertilizers.
The best soils for vegetable crops
The most high demands They move directly to the ground for planting vegetable crops, because the future harvest often depends on its quality. Both experienced agronomists and ordinary users, from a large number of different options, prefer one of the two best soils for plants, which are included in our rating.
Sera Floredepot drainage soil is a well-balanced mixture of sand, peat and beneficial microelements, which promotes a fast and reliable rooting process. Its mineral composition allows, during the first four weeks of development, to supply the culture with all the nutrients necessary for its full development. At the same time, the special structure of the mixture contributes to the formation of a strong root system.
Advantages:
- Crumbly;
- Soft;
- Convenient hard plastic packaging;
- Free from debris and large particles;
- When watering it settles slightly.
Flaws:
- High cost for a small volume.
The Sera Floredepot fraction is highly valued by users for growing fastidious vegetable crops. The best results can be achieved if you use it in combination with a mineral base from the same manufacturer.
Good Helper for vegetable crops
This fully prepared soil mixture is made from environmentally friendly high-moor sphagnum peat with a low degree of decomposition and prevents the accumulation of nitrates and heavy metal salts in vegetables. Therefore, it actively contributes to the formation of a fertile layer in greenhouses and open ground. This soil is well suited for growing seedlings and filling holes when planting them. It can also be used for fruit and berry and ornamental crops, arranging lawns and in indoor floriculture.
Advantages:
- Eco-friendly;
- Light, fluffy, odorless;
- Ensures good germination of seedlings;
- Resistant to frost;
- Reasonable price.
Flaws:
- There are small sticks.
In general, “Good Helper” - great option a universal soil mixture that can be used for various purposes. The only nuance that should be taken into account is that only 10 liter packages are available for sale. Therefore, even to transplant several plants you will have to buy a large package.
What soil for plants is better to buy
When choosing which soil to buy for plants, most gardeners give preference to specialized mixtures for planting a specific type of plant. At the same time, many summer residents purchase a universal version, but at the same time try to improve its quality with the help of additional additives. Recently, mixtures based on coconut fibers and hydrogels have also become very popular - compositions intended for planting moisture-loving crops.
As for the soil mixtures from this rating, the following conclusions can be drawn:
- The best universal option for planting most types of flowers is ASB Greenworld.
- The soil mixture "Seliger-Agro" contains good complex mineral elements necessary for the high-quality growth of small crops.
- For planting all types of ficus, citrus and primroses, you can use Fusco flower.
- Herbaceous aquatic life thrives best in JBL Manado's nutritious soil.
- For planting almost all types of aquarium flora, ready-made Tetra Active Substrate is suitable.
- Peter Peat Hobby peat mixture is enriched with a full range of microelements necessary for the quality growth of thuja.
- Agricola for pine needles is particularly loose and has the ability to retain moisture well.
- Sera Floredepot mixture is perfect for growing fastidious flora.
- “Good Assistant” has the widest range of applications, from planting seedlings and fruit and berry bushes to preparing lawns.
The main rule when choosing the best soil for plants is to carefully study the composition and characteristics of the soil mixture: perhaps it already contains a complex of microelements necessary for their normal development.
For indoor flowers, you need special soil so that it does not dry out quickly or, conversely, turn into a clay lump. This is what we will talk about today in continuation of our topic about home growing plants.
Before you go to garden center while shopping, it’s worth refreshing your knowledge about house flowers:
But let’s return to “our sheep” - what soil is best for indoor plants.
First, I’ll tell you what kind of soil is completely unsuitable for these purposes: soil taken from a flower bed or garden. Loose and fertile, in a pot it tends to become stone and is completely unsuitable for the home.
To plant indoor plants you need a special composition. You can prepare them yourself or buy them ready-made in the store.
It is worth talking in more detail about ready-made planting mixtures (substrates) usually used for growing home flowers.
Why ready-made soil mixtures are not suitable for indoor plants
Ready-made substrates that are sold under the proud name “Soil mixture” actually have nothing in common with soil. They consist mainly of red (high) or black (low) peat with the addition of mineral fertilizers and other components (coconut fiber, vermiculite, charcoal, etc.), depending on what plants they are intended for.
This is what the manufacturer usually reports in small print somewhere at the bottom of the package, calling this revelation “Composition of the mixture.”
Have you ever read it?
Most failures in growing home flowers are associated with the use of ready-made (read: peat) substrates.
There is no doubt that it is very convenient to use ready-made planting soils. There is no need to look for different types of soil, no need to prepare them for future use and store them in the house, taking up the space necessary for life. Peat-based compositions are light and absorb water well. On sale you can find such a mixture for all types of plants. And this would be a solution to the problem for most amateurs, if not for one thing...
But the peat composition is unstable, it dries out quickly. All assorted peats must be kept constantly moist - when they dry out, they have difficulty absorbing moisture. But most of your green pets require the soil to dry out between waterings. And some of them cannot tolerate excess moisture at all.
That is why it is easy to flood a flower in such a soil substrate.
In peat compositions, fertilizer reaches the root system much faster than in earthen ones, but when watering it is easily washed out. Therefore, within a few weeks after transplantation you will have to feed the plant. Do you know that the dose of fertilizer when feeding is not always easy to determine? At the same time, it is easy to “overfeed” your pet or, conversely, make him “starve”!
By using ready-made peat-based substrates, you create additional difficulties for yourself.
The exception is compositions with the addition of vermicompost. Humus (chernozem) is soil rich in organic matter. Such compositions are less common and are usually more expensive compared to peat-based substrates.
We conclude:
The soil for indoor flowers must be prepared with your own hands.
Don't be alarmed, it's not difficult at all.
A little information about various types Soil will help you figure this out.
Characteristics of garden lands
It is quite porous and elastic. It can be found in the meadow closest to your home. It is enough to take good turf (a layer of soil with grass roots, 15-20 cm deep), chop it and sift it with a sieve. Plant residues can be discarded, and what remains will be turf soil.
Deciduous (leafy)
This is light, loose and quite nutritious soil, which is formed from the annual rotting of leaves and branches in a grove, forest or planting. The easiest way to find leaf soil is in places with densely growing deciduous trees, in which the foliage is not removed, but remains on the surface and rots. Remove top layer freshly fallen leaves and collect the soil that is under it, but no deeper than 10-15 cm, possibly with the remnants of well-rotted last year's foliage.
Humus
It is obtained from rotted manure. It is light, fluffy and very rich in nutrients. In the village it is quite easy to find humus soil. In the city you can get it in greenhouses.
In its pure form, sand is used for cuttings.
It is added to all mixtures in an amount of 10-20 percent.
The best is coarse-grained river or lake sand.
Preparing soil for indoor flowers at home
Recipe one:
This mixture is called heavy. This soil composition is suitable for indoor plants with thick, coarse roots: dracaena, monstera, large trees.
Recipe two:
This mixture is called medium. It is suitable for plants with roots of medium thickness: aspidistra, large spathiphyllums, anthuriums, small shrubs.
Recipe three:
This mixture is called light. It is suitable for species with thin, delicate roots and all herbaceous species.
Recipe four - universal soil for indoor plants:
It will come in handy if you were unable to find turf and humus soil.
In the literature for gardeners there are complex recipes with the addition of various exotic components. For example: coconut fiber, sphagnum moss, brick or marble chips, perlite, etc. It is believed that some types of flowers grow better with such additives.
But the truth is that plants are very flexible and easily adapt to other types of soil mixtures as long as they contain sufficient nutrients. Therefore, do not complicate your life by searching for rare soil additives. The above recipes will suit almost all of your green pets.
So, the sixth secret in growing indoor plants
To avoid difficulties in caring for house plants, the soil for indoor flowers should be prepared with your own hands according to one of the above recipes.
It should be immediately noted that it is incorrect to call the substrate in a pot soil. Soil is a single living organism, consisting of connected layers (horizons) and formed on a certain parent rock depending on climate, topography and the activity of soil organisms over a long period of time. This way the soil becomes fertile and is able to recreate itself. As soon as we take a piece of soil and bring it home, it immediately turns into some more or less fertile substrate. Therefore, we will call the substance in the pot soil or substrate. Its main purpose is to support the plant and conduct water and nutrients to the roots, and provide access to air. Providing the plant with nutrition is not the primary function of soils, and our task is to timely and correctly introduce nutrients into the substrate. Soils can be made not only from natural materials taken from nature, but also from artificial ones, for example, hydrogel, perlite or expanded clay - with the hydroponic growing method.
When selecting soil for a particular plant, you need to understand what kind of soil it needs in terms of composition and acidity. To do this, it is useful to read specialized literature; it is advisable to familiarize yourself with the biology and growing conditions of your favorite plant.
Despite the wide variety of soils on store shelves, almost all of them are divided into several groups. During the production process, acidity-regulating substances and fertilizers (usually long-acting) are added to the base; sometimes sand, expanded clay chips, perlite and other components are added.
Soils based on high-moor peat. They are probably the majority. High-moor peat is the result of the decomposition of sphagnum moss, which grows in high-moor bogs. It is poor in minerals and quickly loses fertility after extraction. On its basis, transport soil is prepared in which plants are transported, and which is also used by our nurseries. Its advantage is lightness, hygroscopicity, and breathability. The disadvantages include such a high ability to retain water that at a certain soil moisture the roots no longer absorb it; on the contrary, after complete drying it is difficult to get wet. Soils based on high-moor peat serve as a substrate for almost all indoor flowers.
Soils based on lowland peat. Such peat is extracted from low-lying swamps, wetlands of rivers and lakes. It is heavy, richer in minerals, which, however, are released slowly. In its pure form, it is better not to use it for transplanting indoor flowers, since it remains wet for a long time, has a fine structure and quickly cakes, making it difficult for air to reach the roots and causing them to rot. It can only be used as a component in the preparation of soil mixtures.
Soils based on vermicompost. Vermicompost is obtained by processing manure with certain lines of earthworms; it contains not only a high percentage of organic substances, but also beneficial living microorganisms. It is used in small quantities to enrich the earth mixture; it can serve as a replacement for leaf or grass humus.
Many manufacturers offer ready-made soils For different groups plants, however, you should check the recommendations on the composition of the soil for a particular type of plant. Sometimes it is necessary to make adjustments; for this, it is advisable to always have a few more components on hand to prepare the optimal soil composition for a particular plant.
For this you may need:
- sand, which is preferably taken in unpolluted places along river banks, but can also be bought in flower shops. The sand should be sifted through a sieve to remove debris and large stones, and rinsed in water to remove dust and dirt. It serves as a good additional additive to ready-made soils for cacti and succulents, palm trees and other plants, and prevents them from caking.
- sphagnum moss sold in flower shops, its pH is about 4. It is added to prepare loose, light, breathable, acidic substrates for Uzambara violets and other representatives of Gesneriaceae, for aroids, orchids, and azaleas.
- pine bark, which can be bought in a store or collected from cut plants, has a pH of 4-4.5. Before use, it must be boiled for at least 30 minutes. Added to soils for epiphytes, bromeliads, anthuriums, philodendrons and other plants that require a loose, moist substrate. Serves as the only soil component for some orchids, including phalaenopsis.
- coniferous land going under coniferous trees, contains fallen and partially rotted needles. Cones and branches caught in it should be removed. This is loose, poor, acidic soil with a pH of 4-5. Serves as a component for plants that prefer an acidic soil reaction and require increased looseness of the substrate, for example, for precious orchids.
- herbal or leaf humus formed when leaves or grass rot, pH 5-6. Replaces rotted manure, which should not be used for indoor flowers. Serves as a component for earthen mixtures for plants that need enhanced organic nutrition, such as ferns, etc. Vermicompost can serve as an adequate replacement.
- turf land is formed when composting turf, but it can be collected in the forest from fresh molehills, where the soil is loose and practically free of debris and plant roots. IN middle lane turf soil is usually loam. A small amount of clay helps structure the soil and retain moisture. Thanks to its layered structure, clay retains ions and prevents nutrients from being quickly washed out, thereby reducing the amount of fertilizing. When transplanting young plants, you should add a little turf soil, increasing its share as they grow. It is a good soil component for palm trees and other plants. It is advisable to add turf soil to prevent rapid (during the day) drying out of the substrate, especially when keeping plants on the balcony in summer.
- charcoal sold in flower shops, included in substrates for orchids, bromeliads and other plants, it should be added to fresh soil when replanting in case of rotting roots. They are sprinkled on wounds and cuts on roots, stems and leaves to prevent the development of rot.
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Guided by knowledge of the needs of plants and having ready-made purchased substrates and additional components on hand, you can prepare soil mixture for almost all indoor flowers. Sometimes they also use perlite, vermiculite, polystyrene foam, mineral wool, foam rubber
Before use, the soil must be subjected to heat treatment, this will eliminate future problems with root nematodes, earthworms, millipedes and other soil inhabitants. A simple way is to place washed raw sand in a layer of several centimeters at the bottom of a large pan, and place the other components of the mixture on top of it. The pan is placed on the stove and heated. Water evaporating from the lower layer of sand in the form of steam warms up the rest of the soil. Steam until the top layer heats up (a 10 liter pan warms up in about 40-60 minutes).
But heat treatment leads to the inevitable death of beneficial soil microorganisms, and without their vital activity, plants cannot absorb organic fertilizers. About a month after transplantation, when the roots have fully recovered, you should begin to populate the soil with special microorganisms and constantly maintain their numbers. This will be helped by special preparations containing living microorganisms, for example Baikal, Vozrozhdenie, Vostok EM-1, as well as organic fertilizers of the Ecostyle brand, containing soil microflora.
Specialized soils for indoor plants
Soil for cacti and succulents
The main requirements for this soil are water permeability and poor nutrients. Such soils contain a large amount of sand (about half), the rest may be high-moor peat and leaf soil. For cacti, you can add a little more coarse sand to the purchased soil.
For a group of forest cacti, a universal soil based on high-moor peat is quite suitable.
Soil for orchids
Purchased soils for orchids usually contain several components - peat, sphagnum, coal, bark. The greatest confusion occurs with these substrates. There is no single soil for orchids, since among them there are groups of different habitats. For terrestrial orchids, purchased soil meets the requirements, but there are epiphytic orchids that live on trees; such soil is absolutely not suitable for them. For this group it is necessary to use only bark, sometimes sphagnum moss and coal, but in no case should peat be added. It’s easier to buy separately the bark of the required fraction and, after boiling, plant an orchid in it.
Soil for orchids with the addition of high-moor peat (1:1) is optimal for anthuriums, philodendrons, monsteras, and bromeliads.
Soil for bromeliads
Such soils consist mainly of high-moor peat with the addition of leaf soil and sand. To make it more loose, you can add small pieces of bark, chopped sphagnum, pine soil, and coal, or prepare it based on soil for orchids, adding about half of the universal soil based on high-moor peat.
Soil for palm trees
All palm trees love loose and breathable soil; substrates based on high-moor peat with the addition of sand, leaf and turf soil are suitable for them. As the palm grows, more and more turf soil is added to the substrate.
Soil for ferns
Ferns naturally grow in very loose, moist, organic-rich soil. To create a mixture, you can add leaf humus or soil based on vermicompost (1:1) to the soil for succulents (peat, sand and low content of mineral fertilizers).
Soil for Uzambara violets and other Gesneriaceae
An acidic substrate based on high-moor peat is optimal for this group of plants. It is advisable to add a little sand or perlite, coniferous soil, coal; for greater moisture capacity and looseness, it is good to add cut sphagnum.
Soil for gardenias
It is advisable to add approximately equal parts of leaf soil (or humus soil) and coniferous soil to a purchased substrate for gardenias, consisting of high-moor peat and sand. Be sure to use only acidic mixtures.
Successful growing of anthurium largely depends on properly selected soil. The fact is that this plant is not quite ordinary. And if the bulk of green pets can be planted in universal soil, and then enjoy flowering, then this will not work with anthurium. He needs a special, specially selected soil for anthurium, designed for the specifics of its root system and the characteristics of natural growth.
Therefore, as soon as you have purchased an anthurium, you should think about what kind of land is suitable for it.
The thick, dense roots of anthurium resemble the roots of orchids. And their needs are similar. Such roots need a lot of air and moderate humidity. Accordingly, the soil for anthurium should be loose, contain a large number of air pockets, and not caking or compacting. And also, it allows water to pass through well and dry quickly. The required reaction is slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5).
Anthurium roots are similar to the roots of orchids and other epiphytes
By their nature, anthuriums are epiphytes and semi-epiphytes that practically do not need land. They grow in tropical forests under trees, with roots growing into the forest floor from bark, fallen leaves, and various debris. This is the kind of loose forest floor that the ideal soil for anthuriums should imitate.
Soil for anthurium is a mixture of peat soil with bark, sphagnum moss and various useful additives Making soil for anthurium
What to take as a basis?
The simplest composition for anthurium: universal soil + coniferous bark in a 1:1 ratio.
Universal soils (the first component), as a rule, are based on peat, therefore they have just the slightly acidic reaction (pH 5.5-6.5) that anthurium needs. In addition, the soil acidifies pine bark(second component), which you can collect and dry yourself or buy. The bark is sold in flower shops, often as a component of orchid substrate or as a stand-alone additive.
A mixture of soil and bark can be used as a complete substrate for growing anthurium. Or use it as a base, adding some useful additives to the existing two-component composition.
Additional components
So, to the base of soil and bark you can add:
- brick or expanded clay chips;
- perlite, vermiculite;
- coarse sand;
- coconut fiber, coconut chips;
- pine needles (acidifies and loosens the soil);
- sphagnum moss (small amount, about 5% of the total volume of the mixture);
- charcoal (no more than 5-10% of the volume of the mixture).
All these additives improve the quality of the substrate, for example, expanded clay chips further loosen it, sphagnum moss retains moisture, charcoal protects roots from rotting, vermiculite loosens it and enriches it with minerals.
You can choose one additional component or several. They all fit well together.
The soil for anthurium should be loose and breathable Soil for anthurium from the store: can you buy it?
If you don’t want to make the soil yourself, you can try buying it. Unfortunately, this can be difficult. Few manufacturers produce specialized soil for anthuriums.
But, nevertheless, there is a small choice:
- Substrate for anthuriums “Polessky”. Ingredients: high-moor and low-lying peat, bark, river sand, coconut fiber and chips, perlite, charcoal.
- Set of substrate components Aroid “Gardens of Aurica”. Contains: turf soil, bark and pine needles, sand, sphagnum.
- Substrate Anthurium "ForPro". Composition: high peat, bark, charcoal, agroperlite.
Some soils for orchids with a similar composition (based on peat and bark) are also good for anthuriums. For example, we read the composition of a set of substrate components for orchids from Aurika Gardens: peat, pine bark and needles, charcoal, vermicompost, sphagnum. Why not primer for anthurium?
The only thing that can be added to such a substrate is universal soil. To adjust the mixture towards the correct ratio of bark and peat soil (1:1).
Drainage and sphagnum moss
A properly selected substrate is not everything.
To prevent irrigation water from stagnating in the pot and causing the roots to rot, a layer of drainage - expanded clay - is poured onto the bottom of the pot. Preferably a large fraction to form air pockets. Anthurium roots love to breathe! In addition, expanded clay acidifies the soil, making it more suitable for anthurium.
After planting, a small layer of sphagnum moss is laid on the surface of the soil to cover the aerial roots. You should try to keep the moss moist by spraying it regularly.
Sphagnum moss is used to maintain moisture aerial roots anthurium It is worth noting that right choice Anthurium soil will protect your flower from many problems, such as: root rotting due to stagnation of water and lack of air, lack of flowering, growth retardation.
