How to prevent the alkalization of potting soil in the north
The editor answers everyone's questions about the experience of common knowledge of flower cultivation. How to prevent the alkalization of potting soil in the north when growing flowers, let's take a look together!
Soil in the north is alkaline, while soil in the south is acidic. Many flowers, such as gardenias, azaleas, jasmines, and michelias, prefer acidic soil and dislike alkaline soil. Therefore, when growing flowers in the north, it is often necessary to consider the practical problem of preventing the alkalization of potting soil. The following points will guide northern gardeners on how to start.
1. Do not take soil near buildings or construction sites, or in barren, plantless areas, as the soil in these places is usually highly alkaline. It is best to buy acidic soil for flowers at a floral shop.
2. Salt and alkali tend to accumulate on the surface of the potting soil. If the surface soil is removed regularly and replaced with new soil, it will reduce alkalinity. Alternatively, repotting and replacing the alkalized old soil with fresh substrate can also prevent the alkalization of potting soil.
3. Water with rainwater or slightly acidic water, such as sulfate fertilizer water. Tap water in the north is hard and contains a lot of calcium, but calcium decreases when boiled. Therefore, you can water with cool boiled water. During the growing season, you can water more, but ensure good drainage so that a large amount of water seeps out from the bottom of the pot, which can act as a flush.
4. Use fermented rice water to water flowers, or add a few drops of rice vinegar to the watering water. Use acidic or alkaline fertilizers like potassium nitrate, ammonium sulfate, and monopotassium phosphate, but avoid using alkaline fertilizers like ammonia, calcium hydrogen ammonium, and plant ash. Regularly applying a small amount of a 500-fold dilution of ferrous sulfate solution can also improve the alkalinity of the potting soil, making it more acidic.
5. Put rotten apples, hawthorns, sour dates, apricots, and tomatoes in a container to ferment for a period of time to make acidic water. Use it directly or dilute it with water, both methods can effectively prevent the alkalization of potting soil. In the summer, I use leftover watermelon rind to acidify the water, which has achieved good results. It is both cheap and practical.
The above tips on preventing the alkalization of potting soil in the north are some small experiences with green plants and flowers. I hope they can be helpful to you in your daily life!