What is the difference between soil and soil for flowers. Soil for indoor plants

Soil for indoor flowers can be purchased at the store, but many flower growers prefer to prepare the soil mixture for their green pets on their own.

The fact is that universal ready-made soils are not suitable for all plants, which should be taken into account. If indoor plants such as geranium and chlorophytum can grow in the same soil mixture, then special soil is needed for anthurium. Although in modern times in the store you can buy soil for any type of plant.

The composition of ready-made flower soils

The composition of universal soils includes peat, which has bactericidal properties, contains amino acids and humic acids necessary for the growth and normal development of plants. Peat is light (upper layers, slightly decomposed, well absorbing moisture) and heavy (lower layers, with a high humus content). Ready peat land consists of peat and lime.

sod land consists of sod, quicklime, cow dung, superphosphate. To obtain it, the top layer of soil is removed (from meadows, pastures), the layers are placed in a pile, sprinkled with manure and left to rot for a year.

leaf ground consists of fallen and decayed (from 2-3 years old) leaves. However, willow and oak leaves contain tannins, so the soil based on such leaves is not suitable for growing indoor plants.

humus soil obtained from greenhouse manure that has already been used to grow plants. This soil is very nutritious.

compost soil obtained from decayed plant and food residues, which are mixed with garden soil.

coniferous land consists of decayed needles of coniferous trees, for example, pine, spruce, larch. Such land is part of the soil mixture for growing azaleas, camellias and other plants that prefer to grow in acidic soil.

Other components that are used to make the soil mixture include river sand, clay, fern roots, sphagnum moss, crushed tree bark, charcoal. These components are used to improve the composition of the soil, to loosen and prevent acidification of the soil. For example, sphagnum moss and charcoal have aseptic properties.

Small expanded clay gravel, perlite, marble screenings, hydrogel, ceramis act as fillers. Fillers help to loosen the soil, as well as retain moisture.

Classification of finished soils

• Easy- consists of leaf and sod land, crushed polystyrene foam, greenhouse soil, sand. This substrate is suitable for growing plants with a small root system, such as cyclamen, begonias.
• Average- consists of leaf and sod land, humus. Suitable for growing ficuses, citrus fruits.
• Heavy- consists of soddy land, humus, coarse sand. Suitable for growing palm trees, clivia, dracaena, krinum.

Based on high-moor peat (decomposed sphagnum moss that grows on raised bogs) - contains a minimum amount of minerals, is breathable, has good water absorption and moisture retention. This substrate is often used as a temporary soil for the transport of plants, as well as for the sale of potted plants.

Based on low-lying peat (extracted from low-lying swamps, lakes and rivers) - it is distinguished by the presence of a large amount of minerals, retains moisture well. However, it quickly cakes, dries out for a long time, as a result, the roots of plants often rot. Soil based on lowland peat is used as a component of the soil mixture prepared independently, but not as an independent substrate.

Based on biohumus (a product of manure processing by earthworms) - rich in organic matter and living organisms. Such soil is used as a component of the soil mixture for its enrichment. Biohumus is an alternative to humus.

Special primer for indoor flowers

• For orchids- a mixture of peat, charcoal, crushed pine bark, sphagnum moss. For epiphytes, not soil is used, but pieces of pine bark or driftwood wrapped in sphagnum moss.
• For azaleas- high-moor peat, needles, sand. The soil is moderately acidic and loose, with a low content of nutrients.
• For palm trees- a soil mixture of high-moor peat, leaf and sod land, sand. The soil is nutritious, with a neutral reaction.
• For cacti- sand, leafy soil or high-moor peat, depending on the group of cacti (there are forest and desert ones).
• For violets- high-moor peat, sand, coniferous earth, charcoal, sphagnum moss.
• For ferns- peat, sand, humus.

But do not think that ready-made mixtures for the plants mentioned above are ideal. There are many species of the same genus that grow in nature in different conditions. Therefore, when purchasing ready-made soil, it must be supplemented with the components necessary for a particular type of plant.

Some specialized soils are suitable for growing other types of plants. Typically, this information is indicated on the packaging.

What to look for when choosing a finished soil

Priming:

• must pass air;
• must be nutritious;
• should not retain moisture for a long time;
• should not contain pests and pathogens;
• soil acidity should correspond to the level that a particular type of plant needs.

For the full development of flowers, vegetable and coniferous crops, aquarium flora, special soil is required. This rating included the best, specially prepared soil for outdoor and indoor planting 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 is a Russian manufacturer of various soils and fertilizers intended for floriculture and vegetable crops. The company was founded in 1991 and specializes in the production of soil mixtures and top dressings based on peat. The holding uses high-tech equipment, which allows it to guarantee high quality products.
• ASB Greenworld is a German company that has been supplying soil mixtures and fertilizers to the Russian market for more than 15 years. The company owns several dozen peat fields located in Germany, Estonia and Canada. Particular attention in the production of soil is paid precisely to the stage of collecting and processing peat, as well as to enriching finished products with additional components (bark, perlite, etc.)
• Fusco is a popular Russian brand of care products for various types of outdoor 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 quality products at affordable prices. At the moment, the range of the company includes more than 180 items of certified goods.
• Tetra is a German company that is part of the American concern Spectrum Brands. This is one of the oldest productions in the aquarium and garden pond market. Since the 1950s, 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 produced using unique technologies.
• JBL is a German company that currently manufactures over 1000 products for aquariums and terrariums. All JBL products are manufactured at the Neuhofen plant, which is equipped with the latest technology. The company carefully monitors every stage of production and regularly pleases customers with a new line of products. An interesting and innovative find in the assortment of the company is the primer of various colors for the aquarium.
• Peter Peat is a modern Russian enterprise producing nutrient soils, organic fertilizers and peat substrates. The company was founded on the basis of the fuel and energy complex created back in the 1950s. Currently, it specializes in the extraction and processing of high-moor sphagnum peat of a low degree of decomposition, low-lying and transitional peat. The main places of extraction of raw materials are located in the Ryazan region and Karelia.
• Agricola- a popular Russian brand of the commercial and industrial company "Technoexport". This enterprise was founded in 1996 and today develops, registers, manufactures, imports, exports and wholesales soil mixtures, fertilizers and a wide range of products for the care of various crops. The company is a member of the Plant Protection Association of the Russian Federation, its products have 85 top awards based on the results of participation in Russian and international exhibitions.
• Sera is a German company whose product range includes almost a complete range of products: for aquariums, garden ponds and terrariums. The company ensures the high quality of its products by complying with the strict rules established by the GMP standard during their production. They are used at all stages of production, which guarantees a long shelf life.
• Pelgorskoe-M is a Russian peat enterprise that produces planting soils under the trademarks Morris Green and Good Helper. To date, the company's product range includes 19 mixtures for growing flowers, vegetables, shrubs and ornamental plants. The company's products comply with European standards and have won awards at many competitions, including the Golden Badge of Distinction at the international exhibition.

Rating of the best soils for plants

• Softness, lightness and friability;
• Acidity;
• Compound;
• The presence of a certain set of micronutrients;
• Absence of foreign matter and 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 in stores you can buy several types of mixtures. Flower growers divide the soil mixture into a universal one (intended for planting most unpretentious crops) and a special one, 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 breeding flowers, it is very important to choose a good soil for indoor plants, because the speed of their growth and development depends on its composition. Our rating includes the 3 most reliable, according to florists, options.

Seliger-Agro for flowers and indoor plants

This crumbly peat-based soil is designed for transplanting indoor flowers and ornamental plants. It has a rich brown color and contains a fairly large complex of useful trace elements (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium oxide). The soil is packaged in plastic bags of 5 liters and has an unlimited shelf life, which is very practical when you need to transplant a small amount of flora. For ease of use, the manufacturer has placed detailed instructions on the packaging.

Advantages:

• Quite loose;
• Without lumps and debris;
• Compact packaging;
• It is easy to care for representatives of the flora;
• Affordable cost.

Disadvantages:

• Doesn't absorb water very well.

The Seliger-Agro mixture has a fairly high rating on sites, but experienced users are advised to take into account the fact that the soil settles after watering - it will probably have to be refilled over time.

ASB Greenworld for flowers universal

ASB Greenworld soil has a universal purpose and can be used for growing both ornamental plants and seedlings, as well as lawns, or for filling holes when transplanting ornamental trees. It is recommended for camellias, kalanchoes, begonias, violets, gerberas, roses, phloxes, peonies, daylilies. The only exceptions are flowers that prefer acidic soil. This composition well accumulates and distributes nutrients, does not cake 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.

Disadvantages:

• Sometimes quite large wooden chips come across.

Many growers appreciate this primer 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 kinds of ficuses 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 of debris and weeds;
• Well absorbs moisture;
• Inexpensive.

Disadvantages:

• Prone to hardening.

The main rule for using Fasco is to first open the bag, mix its contents and let the soil saturate with oxygen for an hour.

The best soils for aquarium plants

Special requirements are imposed on the soil mixture for an aquarium - it must settle well at 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 conventional gravel, they keep the aquarium running smoothly, promote the growth of beneficial soil bacteria, prevent root rot, and reduce organic water pollution. 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 fixing fragile roots, and the round shape is safe for bottom fish.

Advantages:

• Effective;
• Attractive look;
• Natural;
• Provides good water circulation;
• Harmless to fish.

Disadvantages:

• Not cheap.

Tetra Active Substrate is a high-quality and reliable product that has only positive reviews. But he guarantees the purity and transparency of the water only if, before filling the aquarium, thoroughly rinse it under running water. This will help remove particles that have been broken down during transit and may have contaminated the water.

JBL Manado

The JBL Manado primer is designed specifically for filling the aquarium. It is non-toxic, so it does not emit hazardous substances, but at the same time does not reduce the degree of its rigidity. The round shape of the granules is great for anchoring the roots and preventing them from being eaten by fish. The porous structure creates optimal conditions for colonization by cleansing bacteria. The earth also absorbs excess fertilizer from the water and thus prevents the growth of unwanted algae.

Advantages:

• Beautiful colour;
• Creates good conditions for growth;
• The water does not become cloudy;
• Prevents the growth of algae-weeds;
• Safe for fish.

Disadvantages:

• Very light, so purging the aquarium takes longer.

JBL Manado is highly regarded by many aquarists, however, experienced users are advised to immediately purchase a substrate for it from the same manufacturer.

The best soils for coniferous plants

When choosing soil for coniferous plants, special attention must be paid to the moisture content 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, best meet these criteria.

Peter Peat Hobby for conifers

This is a completely ready-to-use nutrient soil mixture with a mass fraction of moisture of at least 65%. It consists of high and lowland peat, river sand, agropertil and limestone flour. This soil is perfect for planting spruce, fir, pine, arborvitae and juniper. It provides an optimal level of acidity and contains numerous nutrients, including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. When using this product, the manufacturer guarantees a good survival of plants and an improvement in their decorative qualities.

Advantages:

• Effective;
• No sticky lumps;
• natural scent;
• Rich in mineral fertilizers;
• Provides good survival;
• Affordable cost.

Disadvantages:

• Some users do not like excessive humidity.

Peat soil Peter Peat is a good option for a ready-made mixture for planting needles. But many users, when preparing a tree for this, try to add additional mineral fertilizers to the ground. It is not necessary to do this with this soil, since the whole complex of necessary substances is already included in its composition.

Agricola for conifers

This is a universal peat-based soil for planting coniferous crops, indoor and ornamental plants. This soil mixture has a good ability to accumulate and distribute nutrition evenly. Thanks to high-moor peat in the composition, a 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 coniferous ornamental flora.

Advantages:

• Maintains constant friability and activity;
• No obvious garbage;
• Good air permeability;
• Does not crumple;
• Convenient plastic packaging that does not tear.

Disadvantages:

• Small volume.

Buyers of Agricola sometimes face the problem of yellowing branches on planted shrubs. To avoid this, a month after planting, the damaged parts must be cut off, and the rest should be fed with a special complex of mineral fertilizers.

The best soils for vegetable crops

The highest requirements are put forward precisely to the land 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 useful micronutrients, which contributes to a fast and reliable plant 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 in them.

Advantages:

• Crumbly;
• Soft;
• Convenient hard plastic packaging;
• No debris and large particles;
• When watering settles slightly.

Disadvantages:

• High cost, as for a small volume.

The Sera Floredepot fraction is highly valued by users for growing fastidious vegetable crops. The highest quality result can be achieved if used in combination with a mineral substrate from the same manufacturer.

Kind Helper for vegetable crops

This fully prepared potting mix is ​​made from environmentally friendly high-moor sphagnum peat with a low degree of decomposition and prevents the accumulation of nitrates and salts of heavy metals in vegetables. Therefore, it actively contributes to the formation of a fertile layer in greenhouses and open ground. Such soil is well suited for growing seedlings and filling holes when planting. It can also be used for fruit and berry and ornamental crops, arranging lawns and indoor floriculture.

Advantages:

• Eco-friendly;
• Light, fluffy, odorless;
• Provides good germination of seedlings;
• Frost resistant;
• Acceptable cost.

Disadvantages:

• There are small sticks.

In general, Good Helper is an excellent option for a versatile soil mixture that can be used for various purposes. The only nuance that should be taken into account is that only 10 l packages are available for sale. Therefore, even for transplanting several plants, you will have to buy a large package.

What soil for plants is better to buy

When choosing which plant soil to buy, most flower growers prefer specialized mixtures for planting any particular type of plant. At the same time, many summer residents acquire a universal option, but at the same time they try to improve its quality with the help of additional additives. Recently, mixtures based on coconut fibers and hydrogels, compositions designed for planting moisture-loving crops, have also been very popular.

As for the soil mixtures from this rating, the following conclusions can be drawn:

• The best all-round option for planting most types of flowers is ASB Greenworld.
• The soil mixture "Seliger-Agro" contains in its composition a good complex of mineral elements necessary for the qualitative growth of small crops.
• For planting all types of ficuses, citrus fruits and primroses, you can use flower Fasco.
• Herbaceous aquatic life will do best in JBL Manado Nutrient Diet.
• For planting almost all types of aquarium representatives of the flora, a ready-made Tetra Active Substrate is suitable.
• Peat mix Peter Peat Hobby is enriched with a full range of microelements necessary for the quality growth of arborvitae.
• Agricola for needles is distinguished by its special friability and the ability to retain moisture well.
• Sera Floredepot mix is ​​perfect for growing fastidious flora.
• The widest range of applications, from planting seedlings and fruit and berry bushes to preparing lawns, has "Good Helper".

The main rule when choosing the best soil for plants is to carefully study the composition and characteristics of the soil mixture: it may already contain a complex of trace elements necessary for their normal development.

Land for indoor flowers needs a special one so that it does not dry out quickly or, conversely, does not turn into a clay lump. This is what we will talk about today in continuation of our topic about home growing plants.

Before heading to the garden center for shopping, it's worth brushing up on your knowledge of home flowers:

But back to "our sheep" - what kind of soil for indoor plants is best.
First, I’ll tell you which soil is completely unsuitable for these purposes: soil taken from a flower bed or from a garden. Loose and fertile, in a pot it tends to become stone and is completely unsuitable for the home.

For planting indoor plants need a special composition. You can cook them yourself or buy them ready-made in the store.

It is worth talking about ready-made planting mixtures (substrates), usually used for growing home flowers, in more detail.

Why ready-made soil mixes are not suitable for indoor plants

Ready-made substrates that go on sale under the proud name "Soil Mix" actually have nothing to do with the soil. They consist mainly of red (high) or black (lowland) peat with the addition of mineral fertilizers and other components (coconut fiber, vermiculite, charcoal, etc.), depending on which plants they are intended for.

What the manufacturer usually reports in small print somewhere at the bottom of the package, heading this revelation - "Composition of the mixture."

Have you ever read it?

Most of the failures in growing indoor flowers are due to the use of ready-made (read: peat) substrates.

There is no doubt that it is very convenient to use ready-made planting soils. No need to look for different types of soil, no need to harvest them for future use and store them in the house, occupying the space necessary for life. Compositions based on peat are light, absorb water well. On sale you can find such a hodgepodge for all types of plants. And this would be the solution to the problem for most fans, if not for one but ...

But the peat composition is unstable, it dries quickly. All peat assorted should be kept constantly wet - when dry, they hardly absorb moisture. But most of your green pets require the earth to dry out between waterings. And some of them do not tolerate excess moisture at all.

That is why a flower in such a soil substrate is easy to fill.

In peat formulations, fertilizer reaches the root system much faster than in earthen ones, but it is easily washed out during irrigation. Therefore, a few weeks after transplanting, 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”!

Using ready-made peat-based substrates, you create additional difficulties for yourself.

The exception is compositions with the addition of biohumus. Humus (chernozem) is a soil rich in organic matter. Such formulations are less common and usually more expensive than peat-based substrates.

We conclude:

Land for indoor flowers should be prepared with your own hands.

Don't be scared, it's not difficult at all.

A little background on the different types of soil will help you figure it out.

Characteristics of garden land

It is quite porous and elastic. It can be found in the meadow closest to your home. It is enough to take a good sod (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 sod land.

Deciduous (leafy)

This is a light, loose and quite nutritious soil, which is formed from the annual decay of foliage and branches in a grove, in a forest or in a planting. It is easiest to find leafy soil in places with densely growing deciduous trees, in which the foliage is not removed, but remains on the surface and rots. Remove the top layer of freshly fallen leaves and collect the soil that is under it, but no deeper than 10-15 cm, with the remnants of well-rotted last year's foliage.

humus
Obtained from rotted manure. It is light, fluffy and very rich in nutrients. In the village, finding humus soil is quite easy. 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.

We prepare the ground for indoor flowers at home

Recipe one:

Such a 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 fine delicate roots and all herbaceous species.

Recipe Four - universal soil for indoor plants:

Useful in the event that you could not find soddy and humus soil.

In the literature for flower growers 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 enough nutrients. Therefore, do not complicate your life by looking for rare soil additives. The above recipes will suit almost all your green pets.

So, the sixth secret in growing indoor plants

To avoid difficulties in caring for house plants, the ground for indoor flowers must be prepared with one's own hands according to one of the above recipes.

For the cultivation and cultivation of indoor flower plants, various garden soils are needed. In the presence of sod, leaf, peat, humus, compost and heather soil, you can make various nutrient mixtures, in accordance with the needs of a given plant.

sod land harvested in dry meadows with a rich herbage consisting of cereals and clover. It is better to do this in June - July. The turf is cut manually with a shovel into layers 10 cm thick, 25 cm wide, up to 50 cm long. The turf is stacked, grass to grass, mature and up to 1 m wide. . Since water contributes to the decay of plant residues, a recess must be made in the upper part of the stack to accumulate rainwater. During the summer, the pile is needed by the end of the second year Sod land will not be ready for use until the end of the second year.

This mixture is classified as heavy garden soil due to the high content of minerals in it. Before use, it must be sifted through a screen.

Soddy land can be used to make many earthen mixtures. In its pure form, it is used to grow citrus, dracaena, palm trees.

Peat land. For its preparation, peat is used, which consists of decaying plant remains. It must be harvested from marsh chernozem - raw peat of moss swamps, which is placed in low stacks up to 70 cm high.

Within 2-3 years, it is shoveled several times. The result is loose, humus-rich peat soil. Well suited for growing ferns, orchids, rhododendrons, as well as for sowing small seeds.

Compost land. It is obtained by composting animal and vegetable waste into piles or pits. They are moistened with slurry, limed and sprinkled with peat crumbs on top. Over the next 2 years, the mass is stirred and moistened several times.

Compost soil can be used when sowing letniki (except for asters, levkoy and begonias).

In a mixture with turf and grass, it can be replaced in the absence of humus soil.

heather land harvested in coniferous forests, where heather grows in great abundance. The thickness of heather soil usually does not exceed 3 cm. In summer, heather soil is raked, stacked, periodically moistened. A year later, it can be used to make earthen mixtures when growing azaleas, camellias and other indoor plants. Instead of heather soil, you can prepare a mixture: 4 parts peat mixture, 2 parts leaf and 1 part sand.

leaf humus. It is harvested in deciduous forests, raking half-ripe leaves into low heaps. During the summer, they need to be shoveled several times, while not forgetting to pour water. After 2 years, this land can be used in a mixture with turf. It is suitable for growing basic potted crops. It may well replace heather soil if used in a mixture with peat and sand. Particularly suitable for those cultivated plants that are not suitable for greenhouse manure land.

It should be noted that the best leaves are linden, maple, as well as all fruit tree species. It is better not to use oak and willow leaves, as they contain tannins.

humus earth. It is obtained from rotted manure, which at the end of summer, together with the top layer of earth, is taken out of greenhouses and stacked. During the season, it is periodically mixed and, if necessary, moistened. Once fully decomposed, it can be used to formulate mixtures for growing potted plants.

The humus soil is rich in various nutrients, which is necessary for the good and rapid growth of plants.

Moss, like sand, it does not provide nutrients to plants. It is used dried and crushed, which is harvested in upland bogs. Before use, it must be steamed and dried to kill harmful insects. A layer of 1 cm is covered with drainage in pots. Moss is also tied around the base of palm trunks to promote the development of new adventitious roots.

It is good to mix crushed moss into the ground: it absorbs water well and retains it for a long time.

Charcoal. It is added to earth mixtures when growing indoor plants that do not tolerate excess moisture. Charcoal is used in earth mixtures crushed up to 1 cm in diameter when growing succulents and cacti. When propagating tuberous begonia and cyclamen, the cut parts of the tubers are sprinkled with coal powder.

Also, charcoal is used as an antiseptic and protects the roots from decay. Experienced flower growers prefer birch charcoal.

Sand does not provide plants with any nutrients, but when mixed with the soil, it provides better air access to the roots. Therefore, it is necessary in all earthen mixtures. Coarse-grained river sand is considered the best. For cuttings of azaleas, camellias and other plants that are difficult to root, fine white sand should be used.

Acidic and slightly acidic soils prefer:

Gfinalhemlesi for indoor plants.

On sale you can find the so-called "single garden mixture", special "universal earth mixtures" for different groups of plants, peat-mineral mixtures (they are best used for rooting cuttings and growing seedlings), artificial substrates. In the store, you can get advice from sellers, which mixture is suitable for what, in extreme cases, the packaging will indicate the main properties, such as acidity and approximate composition. Recently, in the instructions, lists of plants for which this earth mixture is intended are increasingly provided.

Sometimes the earth mixture is also composed for narrower groups of plants, for example; mixtures "Palm" or "Begonia". They can differ in both acidity and mechanical structure, the degree of "lightness", friability, as well as the presence of special additives such as pine bark, charcoal or bone meal. Some of the listed soil mixtures are very close in composition, but are produced by different manufacturers.

Specialized mixes are better than general mixes because they better take into account the individual requirements of plants to the soil. However, some plants are completely undemanding to the soil, any "universal" earth mixture will suit them - this feature will be noted in the individual characteristics of the plants.

As a rule, earth mixtures are sold in packages packaged in 2 kg, somewhat less often - in 5 kg. Almost all are additionally fortified with nutrients.

Here is a list of the most common soil mixtures on sale:

Folk ways to improve soil fertility

With self-preparation of a room mixture to improve fertility, manure, peat, litter, compost, eggshells, sawdust, and yeast are added to the garden soil.

1. humus- 0.5 kg,
2. peat- 2 kg in sandy soils, 1 kg in clay soils.
3. dry bird droppings- 10 g,
4. mullein manure, from which the slurry is prepared at the rate of 1:20, insist a week. Before entering into the soil, it is diluted 2 times. Such a solution is often used to fertilize indoor plants with further care.
5. egg shell used to neutralize acidic soils.

Tip #2. Note! 10 g of ground shells will neutralize 10 liters of soil per pH scale unit.

Sawdust loosen heavy soils, in care they are used in the form of mulch. It is worth noting that only small chips are suitable for indoor floriculture, and conifers acidify the soil, therefore they are used together with ash, eggshells or dolomite flour.

Some flower growers use sleeping water to feed plants. Tea coffee, which improve the structure of the soil, evenly feed it, regulate acidity.

A good supplement is sugar, which replenishes the soil with glucose. To make it beneficial, add EM - preparations, for example, "Baikal - EM -1". In its presence, sugar does not cause the growth of pathogens, but is converted into top dressing for indoor plants.

It is easier to use ready-made fertilizers that are commercially available.

Serious mistakes gardeners make when preparing the soil and caring for it

1. The use of greenhouse soil in indoor floriculture. It is undesirable to use the soil of their greenhouse for indoor plants. In conditions of high humidity, fungal diseases develop that are dangerous for potted crops.

1. Use of the substrate for planting immediately after heat treatment. At high temperatures, not only pests and diseases die, but also beneficial microorganisms. They can be restored with EM drugs, but this takes time, at least two weeks.

Specialized soil for indoor plants and flowers

GROUND FOR AZALEA. The mixture is light, acidic, moisture and breathable. In store options, the basis of the substrate should be high-moor peat. It is advisable to supplement the soil for azaleas with coniferous soil (1: 1).

GROUND FOR BROMELIAIDS. The mixture consists of high-moor peat, leafy soil and sand. It is desirable to add tree bark or coal, sphagnum and coniferous soil to the purchased soil.

GROUND FOR GARDENIA. The mixture consists of high-moor peat and sand. It is desirable to add leaf and coniferous soil (1: 1: 1) to the purchased soil.

GROUND FOR CACTUS AND SUCCULANTS. The mixture consists of sand with the addition of leafy soil and high-moor peat. Coarse-grained sand can be added to option stores.

GROUND FOR ORCHIDS. Different types of orchids need different nutrient substrates. For epiphytes, the soil mixture is prepared from the bark, sometimes sphagnum moss and charcoal are added (peat is not allowed!).

You can buy a certain fraction of the bark, boil it and plant an orchid without adding other components.

For other types of orchids, the substrate is prepared from peat, sphagnum, bark and coal.

SOIL FOR PALM. The mixture consists of high-moor peat, turf and leaf soil with sand. Palm trees prefer a loose and breathable substrate. With age, the proportion of sod land in the mixture is gradually increased in plants.

GROUND FOR FERN. You can prepare this version of the mixture: soil for succulents + leaf humus (or biohumus) in a ratio of 1: 1.

The best period for transplanting plants is from March to August. Autumn and winter are dormant periods, at which time plants are not recommended to be transplanted. It is undesirable to transplant plants during flowering or bud formation - you must wait until the end of flowering.

In hot weather, transplanting indoor plants is not allowed. Once the plant has been transplanted, it should be watered abundantly (except for cacti, they do not need to be watered), but at the same time watering should be minimized over the next week. Each container for houseplants should have holes in the bottom.

Through these holes, excess water is removed, the stagnation of which can lead to root rot. When transplanting any plant, it is necessary to organize a drainage layer at the bottom of the bowl. This applies to all plants, even if it is indicated that drainage is not required. And finally, the last tip: transplant plants in a good mood and with a smile, then your green pet will surely take root well and will feel great in a new home.

At first glance, the abundance of various earthen mixtures for indoor plants that the trade offers makes it almost unnecessary to independently compile them. Indeed, it is much easier to pay a not so big amount and save yourself the hassle of finding the necessary components, their preparation, disinfection, mixing. But experienced flower growers are unlikely to agree with this approach. They stubbornly continue to search, and disinfect, and mix on their own.

And it's not about petty savings. Having thoroughly studied the needs of a particular plant, and knowing the characteristics of each of the components of the soil, an experienced grower is not satisfied with the versatility of ready-made mixtures, he makes up exactly the soil that this particular type of plant requires. I will say more, many venerable flower growers make up an earthen mixture even for a particular plant individually, based on its type, size, age, and conditions of detention. This is not yet possible for a beginner florist, he is only mastering the basics of floriculture. But knowing the characteristics of the soil components for indoor plants, these are the very basics, the knowledge of which will help, at least at first, from the abundance of ready-made mixtures, to choose the most suitable one.

When choosing ready-made soil for indoor plants or preparing it yourself, the plant's preference for soil acidity (pH) is primarily taken into account. The vast majority of plants, both indoor and outdoor, grow on earth with a neutral acid reaction. But there are many such plants that have special requirements for acidity.

Biohumus

This is the same humus, but a special type of humus worm is used for its production. Biohumus is considered the most fertile soil additive for indoor plants. An earthen mixture containing biohumus can even make soil based on peat highly fertile.

Compost land

This earth is prepared, as well as humus, in compost pits or heaps. But instead of manure, various organic wastes are used: cleaning, fallen leaves, grass, etc. In terms of fertility, compost soil is somewhat inferior to humus, but surpasses soddy and leafy soil. It is rarely used in indoor floriculture, but it is widely used when planting fruit trees,. Used as .

coniferous land

As the name implies, it is harvested under coniferous trees. Coniferous land belongs to acidic soils and is mainly used for growing (Uzambar violet), (as a replacement for heather land), begonias. For these plants, it often goes as the main component of the mixture.

Advice. If you plan to harvest coniferous soil yourself, then you should not take it from the top layer of soil, which contains mainly needles and sand, but from the second, cleaner layer.

Sand

This is one of the most important components of any land for. It is clear that the sand does not contain any nutrients, but it is impossible to do without it. It is sand that does not allow the earth to cake, provides penetration of air and moisture to the roots of the plant. But not all sand is suitable for use. The most accessible, building sand, in addition to the unnecessary impurities they contain, in particular iron compounds, is usually too fine, which leads to the opposite effect - compaction of the earth. The most suitable for our purposes is coarse-grained river sand. He has already passed a natural, natural cleaning, therefore, does not require special preparation.

Advice. If it is not possible to get good sand, then it is better to replace it. It's a little more expensive, but worth it. Also, sand and perlite combine very well.

Charcoal, ash

It is also a necessary component for the preparation of many earthen mixtures for indoor plants. Wood ash, coal, ashes contain potassium necessary for plants. But this component is not only useful for this. First of all, wood ash is an excellent antiseptic that prevents the development of various kinds of rot. It also serves to lighten the soil.

These are only the main components of the earthen mixture for indoor plants. Quite often, coconut fiber is added to the ground, etc. For some plants, traditional soils are not at all suitable, an example of this. For beginner growers, I advise you to strictly adhere to the recipe at first, and over time, after observing your plant, having studied its needs, you will be able to make your own, author's mixtures.

Happy growing!

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