Can sawdust be directly mixed with soil to grow flowers and plants? Learn the fastest method to make nutrient-rich soil using sawdust.

Can sawdust be mixed directly with soil to grow flowers and plants?A detailed introduction discusses whether sawdust can be directly mixed with soil to grow flowers and plants, as well as the fastest method for making nutrient-rich soil from sawdust, related to the cultivation of flowers. Let's learn about it together.Recently, I've noticed that some flower enthusiasts have asked in the background: Can sawdust be used to grow flowers?Actually, using sawdust to grow flowers has been popular among flower enthusiasts for a long time. Sawdust has excellent water absorption and breathability, suitable for most flowering plants, and especially for plants with fleshy roots like orchids and kaffir lilies. It can also be used for propagating various flowers. However, if not used correctly, sawdust can damage roots and seedlings. How exactly should sawdust be used for growing flowers?Benefits of Using Sawdust for Flower CultivationIn fact, sawdust itself does not contain many nutrients, with the exception of a relatively high nitrogen content. We use sawdust for growing flowers mainly because of its excellent physical structure and rich fiber content. The decomposed leaf soil, pine needle soil, and nutrient-rich soil we commonly use contain a large amount of plant fibers.Fermented sawdust is rich in fiber, has good breathability and water absorption, and can be used to grow most flowers. It is especially suitable for varieties with fleshy roots like orchids, kaffir lilies, and butterfly orchids. It can also be mixed into the potting soil to make compacted soil loose again.Incorrect Usage MethodsFirst, let's talk about the incorrect sawdust usage method that is circulating online: Bury sawdust directly in the flower pot and let it slowly ferment into nutrient-rich soil.This method is very unsafe. When raw sawdust is buried in the soil, bacteria begin to ferment and decompose it. Although sawdust does not ferment quickly, it still releases heat during decomposition, which can easily burn the roots. Moreover, sawdust placed directly in the soil will consume a large amount of carbon in the soil during fermentation, interfering with the plant's nutrient absorption.Correct Usage MethodSawdust intended for growing flowers must be fermented before use. First, select fine sawdust, the finer the better. Not all sawdust is suitable; it's best to use sawdust from raw wood, as processed wood contains chemical coatings and other substances that are not beneficial to plants.Mix sawdust and garden soil in a 1:1 ratio. (Garden soil is the ordinary soil dug from the ground.) As mentioned above, sawdust itself doesn't have many nutrients, so we can add one-tenth of fruit peels or cow and sheep manure during mixing for fermentation to increase soil fertility. Alternatively, you can add some ready-made fertilizer after the soil has finished fermenting.Place the mixed soil in a sealed container like a Styrofoam box or plastic bag.Water thoroughly, cover the box with a plastic bag, and place it in a warm, sunny position.In the summer, high temperatures accelerate fermentation, and it can be used after about 2 months of sealing; in other seasons, it needs to ferment for about 3 months.When the sawdust is barely visible and there is almost no sawdust smell when the bag is opened, it can be used as nutrient-rich soil.Using Sawdust for Plant PropagationFine sawdust is used for fermenting nutrient-rich soil, while larger coarse sawdust can be used for plant propagation.Preparing Flower PotsFirst, we need to prepare pots for propagation. When using sawdust for propagation, it's best to choose small, shallow pots to allow the heat from the sawdust to dissipate quickly, preventing damage to the seedlings.