Peat
Completely analyzing the common knowledge of flower cultivation for you, the application of peat (turba) in horticulture, corrections are welcome if there are any mistakes!
Peat is also known as "turba" or "peat coal", a product of the development of swamps, formed in the Quaternary period from the remains of swamp plants that cannot be completely decomposed under waterlogged anaerobic conditions. It contains a high amount of moisture and undecomposed plant remains, humus, and some minerals. Organic matter content is over 30% (over 50% is considered by some abroad), with a loose texture that is easy to crumble, specific gravity of 0.7-1.05, usually brown or black in color, combustible and absorbent, pH value generally between 5.5 and 6.5, slightly acidic, and stratified, known as the peat layer. It is an important indicator of the development speed and maturity of swamps. It is a valuable natural resource. Peat is the coal with the lowest degree of coalification (the most primitive state of coal), which is organic matter.
Due to the rich nutritional content of peat itself, it is very beneficial for plants, so "peat" is widely used in the construction of lawns, golf courses, football fields, tennis courts, green spaces, grass gardens, and in the cultivation of flowers, making it one of the superior compound fertilizer raw materials, hence the name "peat".
The aforementioned types of venues often require special soil treatment before construction, and due to peat's good drainage and long-lasting fertilizer effect, it can promote the growth of underground roots, resulting in healthy and robust plants.
Therefore, "peat" has a fundamental improvement effect on the "planting layer" of the soil, greatly aiding in the growth, maintenance, and care of the lawn later on.
In addition, peat has many applications in potting and seedling cultivation: "peat" has become the preferred potting medium in current greenhouse pot cultivation of high-end flowers. The ideal potting base material consists of 30% to 70% "peat", mixed with an appropriate amount of vermiculite, perlite, and other materials (orchids, azaleas, and kaffir lilies can be directly cultivated with 100% "peat"). Seedling cultivation: The process of seedling cultivation for flowers and vegetables can use "peat" as a medium material to form the substrate structure to raise seedlings, which can greatly improve seed germination rates and the development quality and survival rates of seedlings.
For soil used in growing flowers, grass, or other crops, if there are phenomena such as compaction or hardening, adding an appropriate amount of "peat" can restore and enhance the soil's water retention, aeration, and fertilizer retention capacity, while also increasing nutritional content, thereby improving product quality and achieving better economic benefits.
The aforementioned introduction to the application of peat (turba) in horticulture is provided for everyone's learning and understanding!