What kind of soil do you need for flowers? Soil for flowers: ways to improve. Soil preferred by garden flowers

You will not surprise succulents with lack of water, but if in natural conditions they compensate for the lack of moisture with morning dew and precipitation, then in the apartment - by spraying and watering. Moreover, spraying has greater value, since the dry air of aloe is less tolerated than dry land. It is regularly held in summer and spring in warm, clear weather.

A significant advantage of desert vegetation is that if you forget to water it, it won't even notice. Watering is carried out once every 10 days, with the onset of cold weather even less often - at the beginning and at the end of winter. Portions are regulated according to the principle "the hotter, the more".

With this plant, you can save not only water, but also space: they fit perfectly in small pots. Despite such self-denial, succulents have a number of modest requirements for their maintenance.

1. Direct protection sun rays. The flower will be very grateful to you if, instead of the scorching sun of the desert, there will be a small shadow above its leaves.
2. Hibernation. Everything a tropical inhabitant needs for good rest- dryness and coolness. Therefore, in winter it is not watered. Otherwise, the leaves, continuing to grow, but not getting enough daylight, stretch out and fade.
3. Loose soil "without luxury". That is, without nitrogenous substances coming with humus and other fertilizers.
4. Feeding "on the tip of a knife". It is necessary to enrich the substrate with organic and mineral substances with extreme caution, regardless of the composition of the soil for aloe.
5. Hardening and disease prevention. When attacked by pests, you need to prescribe the necessary "medicines" for their treatment.
6. Smooth transition from winter regime for summer. The awakening of vegetation from hibernation should be gradual.
7. Spraying, especially on hot days. In the habitat of succulents, whether it be a greenhouse or a windowsill, high humidity should be maintained.
8. Fresh air. The room must be ventilated, but drafts should not be allowed.
9. Moisturized inner surface flower pot. Its drying can cause the death of the roots.
10. Regular medical examination. Checks are carried out to timely detect deviations in the development of the flower and take the necessary measures.

Preparing the soil for aloe

Nothing spoils the life of an evergreen succulent like compacted soil or stagnant water. These two troubles make it very difficult for oxygen to reach the roots. Therefore, the earth must be airy: loose, water and breathable. As a ripper, the composition of the soil for aloe includes:

• river, coarse sand;
• gravel;
• brick chips;
• shell rock;
• perlite (volcanic rock).

You can determine what kind of land is needed for aloe based on such indicators:

• water-alkaline balance: neutral, slightly acidic;
• structure: loose, porous;
• composition: clay, turf, sand, humus.

If you look at the pot in a section, we will see a "cake", the lower part of which is filled with drainage, the middle part is filled with earthen mixture, and the top is framed with gravel or coarse sand.

Regardless of the variety, in the soil mixture for growing a crop, the presence of soddy or clay-soddy soil is mandatory. The substrate consists mainly of the following components, mixed in equal parts:

• clay-turf land;
• leaf land;
• sand.

The required composition of the soil for aloe is supplemented with neutral or slightly acidic peat and rippers. Although this is not a universal formula, it is excellent for most types of culture.

The best planting utensils are plastic or heavy terracotta. Unlike clay, it has no pores, so the walls of such pots do not evaporate moisture, but retain it. When choosing dishes, be guided by the size of the roots - they should fit freely, at a distance of about 3 cm from the walls. You can determine the tightness of the "housing" by the ratio of the length of the leaves to the diameter of the container, ideally it is 2: 1.

The best place for them is window sills from the south or east side, northern coldness affects plants negatively.

To maintain healing qualities, indoor pets need fresh air, provided that it is warm. That is, it is categorically not recommended to open the window for ventilation on a rainy November day. A portion fresh air increases plant immunity, reducing the risk of infection and weakening. They are brought out of hibernation gradually, replacing watering with spraying. You can also put water next to the pot.

In food, the flower is not picky: a weak solution of low-nitrogen fertilizer is enough for it. An excess of nitrogen leads to developmental anomalies such as delayed flowering and the massive appearance of shoots.

How to plant aloe

Planting aloe is carried out in several ways. You can choose the most convenient one. So, if you want to get one or two small flowers, use cuttings, if there are a dozen, transplant “kids” (although you still need to wait for them), and sowing is suitable for global breeding. Let's consider all the methods in more detail.

Cuttings. Express planting method by rooting one or another part of the trunk. It is desirable to carry out the procedure in a room greenhouse so that the air is humid. You can raise the temperature to a favorable mark of 30 ˚С using a spray gun.

Drainage (slag, large shards) and sand are placed in the dishes, slightly moistened and leaf cuttings are pressed at a slight angle. Sand can be mixed with peat, or you can use an earth mix for succulents. After cutting the cuttings, 2-3 hours should pass for them to be covered with a thin film.

Sowing. A reliable but time-consuming way to grow an entire flowering meadow. Sowing is carried out in a warm and humid greenhouse with heating and fluorescent lamps. Seeds are placed in a mixture prepared according to this prescription:

1. Take 1 part well-rotted leafy soil and ½ part washed river sand.
2. Sterilize the sand in a water bath for half an hour 1-2 weeks before sowing.
3. Soak pots or bowls for several hours, dry, and pour the mixture into them.
4. Spread the seeds, press lightly and sprinkle thin layer sand.
5. Moisten the dish by dipping it 1/3 of the way into a tray of water. As soon as the water gets wet upper layer, put the pot in the greenhouse. Thus, the earth will be moistened evenly, and the seeds will not float to the surface.

Meet the seedlings germinated for 2-3 days with a small spray bottle. Seed them out after the formation of true leaves.

Resettlement of children. Healthy mother plant usually surrounded by small processes - "babies". They can be transplanted at your discretion individually or in a bunch. "Children" are taken out carefully, along with the roots. Whole shoots can be transplanted immediately into the ground, those that are damaged - after 3-4 days, after they dry out.

Knowing what kind of soil is needed for aloe, how and where to plant, spray and water it, a desert flower can be grown with almost no effort. The main thing is to take into account its "prickly" nature and the difficulties of city life.

What component is the most important for any plant, and in wild nature and in home cultivation? Of course, this is the soil. Soil is the food of plants and, of course, no plant can live without soil.

As diverse as the world of plants is, so diverse is the environment in which they grow, including the composition of soils. One of the most important tasks of the grower is to choose the right soil mixture for each plant. You can buy ready-made mixtures and, often, this is justified, but it is much more interesting to make the soil yourself. Do not forget about the complaints about store soil, which are increasingly common in recent times:

1. Soil contamination (fungus, mold, nematode)
2. The composition of the soil does not correspond to the declared ( a large number of peat, many fractions that are not soil - chips, knots, etc.)

[!] Using the prepared soil mixture, always disinfect it - pour the earth on a baking sheet and hold for about 20 minutes. in the oven at the very high temperature or freeze the soil at a temperature of -5 ° C and below during the day.

Of course, all of the above is quite rare in purchased mixtures, but if you already get on poor-quality soil, you can practically say goodbye to the plant.

So, how to make your own soil mix and what components are needed for this:

• leaf ground- the earth formed in the places of decay of fallen leaves is light and loose. Leafy soil is slightly acidic (pH 5-6). The structure is light, airy, there are minor inclusions of not completely rotten leaves in the composition. The main application is soil mixtures for plants with a delicate root system (begonia, gloxinia, cyclamen)

• sod land- highly nutritious land harvested on pastures and meadows sown fodder grasses. There is a division into heavy earth(composed of a large amount of clay) and light earth(composed of a large amount of sand). To prepare such land, layers of turf about 10 cm high are cut, then they are laid in layers and a little manure is placed between them. During the year, the land matures, and then it is used in floriculture. It is not necessary to wait for the sod land to ripen - you can use the meadow soil immediately.

• humus earth soil with the highest nutrient content. It is obtained as a result of manure decay: light compounds are formed from fine manure cattle, the manure of cows and bulls gives a heavier humus. The humus soil is very rich in trace elements, and also contains a large amount of nitrogen. The technology for preparing humus land is as follows: in a greenhouse or greenhouse in early spring a hole is dug into which manure is placed, manure is sprinkled on top with ordinary soil, on which plants are planted for seedlings. In autumn, both manure and earth are taken out of the greenhouse and kept until frost begins in the open air, after which the humus soil is ready for use.

• peat land on the contrary, it is not highly nutritious, but, due to its high friability and porosity, it is indispensable as an additive to heavy soils. In addition, peat soil is highly acidic and is widely used in soil mixtures for plants that prefer acidic soil. Peat land is harvested from swamp or meadow peat: peat is extracted, cut into layers, the layers are poured with lime and manure and kept for 2-3 years.

• coniferous land, as the name implies, this is the land received in coniferous forest and consisting of soil and decayed needles coniferous trees. The main properties of coniferous land are increased friability and acidity; there are few nutrients in such land. Coniferous soil is great as an addition to the main soil for plants that love soil with high acidity. In addition, not completely rotted needles, cones and small branches can be used in the substrate for orchids.

[!] If the soil contains coniferous earth, the plant will not get sick with fungal diseases and chlorosis, thanks to the disinfecting properties of the needles.

• Charcoal It is used both as a component of soil mixtures and as a drainage. Coal can also be used as medicinal product- crushed charcoal is sprinkled on rotten roots and fleshy stems, such as cacti and other succulents (charcoal has a disinfecting effect and prevents further rotting). Coal can fight harmful substances and being part of the earth mixture, therefore a small addition of coal is recommended for the soil of any plants. The best charcoal for plants is obtained by burning birch or aspen firewood and then grinding it.

• coconut fiber- a substrate of organic origin, which is the fibers of the peel coconut. Coconut fiber is a soil material unique in its properties: the fiber practically does not decompose (due to the high content of ligin), does not cake or settle. By adding coconut fiber to the soil, you can do without additional drainage.

Plants on which coconut fiber works especially favorably:

- azaleas, bougainvilleas (accelerates rooting)

- violets, gloxinia (enhances flowering, develops better root system)

- anthuriums

– fuchsia

Coconut fiber is produced in the form of compressed briquettes. Briquettes must be filled with water, wait for them to swell and mix. After that, coconut fiber can be used both as part of soil mixtures and independently.

• Vermiculite- a material used in floriculture and crop production, as one of the components of earthen mixtures, which is a thermally treated mineral of the hydromica group.

[!] If vermiculite is added to the soil for a plant, watering of such a plant can be reduced: vermiculite has the ability to retain moisture and then give it to the soil as needed.

The structure of vermiculite is light and porous, the main properties are zero toxicity, high water absorption, low thermal conductivity, resistance to fungi and rot. Thanks to these qualities, vermiculite is an ideal material for drainage and as an additive to various soil mixtures.

• Perlite– natural material obtained by heating obsidian (volcanic glass). The main property of perlite is sterility and resistance to infection. Perlite is used as drainage in soil mixtures. Also, perlite is used in its pure form for the germination of cuttings or seeds (this method completely eliminates the rotting of plants)

• Expanded clay- a material obtained by firing clay, widely used in construction. Expanded clay has found wide application in home floriculture as a drainage.

• moss sphagnum- dried moss is used both as part of the soil and on its own: for example, pieces of moss are laid out on the surface of the earth in pots to eliminate mold. Moss is one of the main components in mixtures for epiphytic plants.

• brick crumb
• Sand
• fern roots

When preparing the soil, the combination of the above components can be completely different. The composition of soil mixtures depends on the required acidity, and the acidity of the soil, in turn, must be selected based on the preferences of the plant. All soils, depending on the degree of acidity, can be divided into several subspecies:

1. Alkaline soils (pH 7.3 to 8.4)
2. Neutral soils (pH 6.6 to 7.2)
3. Slightly acidic soils (pH 5.6 to 6.5)
4. Acidic soils (pH 3.6 to 5.5)
5. Very acidic soils (pH below 3.5)

You can check the acidity of the soil at home using litmus paper or an electronic meter. If you don't have anything like this on hand, it will do. folk way: put about a teaspoon of earth on a plate and pour 9% vinegar. The formation of abundant foam indicates that you have alkaline soil, a little foaming - neutral soil, no foam at all - acidic soil.

Soil compositions with different acidity:

Plant transplantation can be conditionally divided into:

1. Complete transplant - complete removal of all old soil and drainage, partial or complete flushing of the root. This method is used if the land is infected and the plant needs to be treated.
2. Incomplete transplant - removal of the main clod of old soil, the roots are not washed. This method is suitable when you need to make a planned annual plant transplant.
3. Transshipment - the plant is taken out of the pot along with a clod of earth and transplanted into a large container. Required amount soil is added so as to completely fill the bowl.
4. Renewal of the topsoil - during normal watering, the topsoil is often washed out nutrients. To make up for their deficiency, the top layer of earth in a bowl with a plant is replaced with a layer of fresh humus soil.

• 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 openings, removal excess water, stagnation of which can lead to root rot.
• When transplanting any plant, it is necessary to organize 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 good mood and with a smile, then your green pet will surely take root well and will feel great in a new home.

Dracaena is a frequent guest of our homes. It does not require specific care, but it decorates the room with its juicy greenery and recognizable appearance. If the plant is doing well, it will grow quickly and will need to be repotted very soon. larger pot. So, you need a special soil for dracaena.

Despite the unpretentiousness of the plant, it is better if the soil for your dracaena matches minimum requirements to composition. Under natural conditions, the culture grows in a tropical climate, where the soil contains a large amount of sand, stones and is saturated with humus. In addition, the tropics are humid. Accordingly, the land for dracaena should be nutritious, contain all the necessary trace elements. This is the only way you will be able to achieve the normal development of a room palm tree.

We must not forget about the drainage layer at the bottom of the pot - ordinary expanded clay, shells or river pebbles are suitable as it.

Essential Ingredients and Minerals

The answer to the question "What kind of soil is needed for dracaena?" will depend on the experience of the grower: novice plant lovers can simply buy a ready-made soil mixture at a flower shop, and flower growers with experience can try to prepare it themselves. To do this, stock up on the following components:

• vermicompost - is a waste product of the well-known earthworms, perfectly replaces humus, and does not contain weed seeds or pathogens of infectious diseases;
• coarse sand - will help the earth in a pot not to stray into one lump;
• peat - rich in micronutrients, due to its structure it retains moisture well;
• dolomite flour;
• humate - designed to improve quality characteristics biohumus, nourishes plants and contributes to their normal development;
• sapropel - a component is an organic sediment from the bottom of a fresh water reservoir, consisting of the remains of animals and plants. It is a long-term fertilizer;
• Vermiculite is probably the only component of the mixture that you can do without. It is used as mulch, covering the surface of the earth in a pot;
• set of trace elements.

From these components, coarse-fiber soil will be obtained - one that passes moisture well. Accordingly, the palm tree will need frequent and plentiful watering.

How to make at home

If you do not have the opportunity to purchase a ready-made mixture, and you cannot find the indicated components for professional preparation, the soil for dracaena may well be prepared from what is on each personal plot:

• the ground from under the hazel is suitable as a basis;
• some soddy soil;
• coarse sand;
• humus;
• peat;
• some charcoal and complex mineral fertilizer.

The focus is on the soil indoor plants. We consider its types, main and additional components, as well as specialized soil for indoor flowers (orchids, azaleas, palm trees).

We also describe how you can disinfect the earth in several ways. More on all of this below!

Land for indoor plants: what is good?

The soil for indoor plants is a very important factor for development and growth. Buying potting mix for houseplants is now easy and simple.

The stores offer a large number of universal and special substrates. Ready-made soil mixes are great for most types of houseplants and flowers.

The soil for indoor flowers and plants can be prepared independently if you know their needs and have necessary components at hand.

Good land for plants is a special nutrient mixture, which consists of certain components in the right proportions.

Different types of plants need different type soil mixture, including with an acid-base indicator (Ph). Neutral or slightly acidic soil is suitable for most indoor plants and flowers.

• For example, they love acidic soil: azalea, hydrangea, camellia. Slightly acidic: begonia, fern, cyclamen, pelargonium, fuchsia. Alkaline: carnation, lily, cineraria.

Soil for indoor plants: the main components

SODD LAND

One of the main components of the soil mixture. This type of land is obtained after the cut sod (top layer of soil) in the meadows and fields is laid in layers on top of each other with the addition between them organic fertilizers(manure).

Such a “pie” lies for two years, then it is sifted, packaged in bags and sent for sale.

Soddy soil for preparing your own soil mixtures is often replaced with garden soil, but clean and fertile, or soil is collected from wormholes.

LEAF EARTH

In autumn, leaves are collected (preferably - maple, linden, apple, ash; you can’t - oak, willow, chestnut, poplar). Then add slaked lime and make compost.

In a young forest, the top layer of soil is removed, and in an old forest, you can dig deeper. Deciduous land is quite light and loose, together with sand it is used for growing seeds and planting cuttings.

HUMUS

Humus pH 5-6. Fresh manure (cow, horse) is piled, covered with black polyethylene, and sieved after two years.

• Signs of high-quality humus: uniformity, friability and absence strong odor. For indoor plants and flowers, biohumus should be used instead of humus.

SAND

It is recommended to use only coarse clean river sand. Sand transports air to the root system, has good water permeability. Therefore, it is an important component for most soil mixtures.

PEAT

For indoor plants, peat is used in factory packaging (high-moor peat is acidic, and lowland peat is slightly acidic). Peat is one of the main components for the vast majority of soil mixtures.

• Fresh peat for potting crops can only be used after it has become uniform, free-flowing and soft.

Peat improves the quality of the substrate, increases its friability and makes it lighter. Due to its properties, peat is used for germinating seeds and planting cuttings.

coniferous land(pH 4-5).

Under coniferous trees, the top layer of soil is removed, mixed together with a small amount of sand and peat. This soil mixture is well suited for azaleas, begonias, gloxinia, violets.

Soil Mix Components

Soil for indoor plants: additional components

CHARCOAL

It is formed after burning wood, and is also suitable for using charcoal for grilling (it is crushed into fractions with a diameter of no more than one centimeter).

The ready-made store version is contained in substrates for bromeliads and orchids. Charcoal can be bought and added separately to the mixture at the time of transplanting, especially in case of root rot.

Coal increases the friability and water permeability of the substrate, they are also sprinkled with wounds on stems, leaves, roots of indoor plants and flowers.

WOOD ASH

CONIER BARK

The bark is removed from old trees, crushed and boiled in water for at least 30 minutes. Add to the soil substrate for anthuriums, epiphytes, ferns and orchids. It has a pH of 4-4.5.

HORN FLOUR

Used as a phosphate fertilizer in a ratio of 1:30 (horn meal: soil mixture).

SPHAGNUM

Retains moisture in the soil, increases friability. Sphagnum moss pH around 4.

IMPORTANT! The ratio of the components of the soil mixture is determined, as a rule, by volume, and not by weight. For example, sand is heavy and peat is light.

Soil for indoor plants: types

The main types of substrates: deciduous, coniferous, peat, heather, sod, clay and compost. Soil mixtures are divided into two main groups according to the type of base: soil or peat.

Most plants adapt equally well to both types of substrate.

SOIL SUBSTRATE

The basis of the mixture is meadow turf with fertilizers. Sometimes contains natural substances from farming or forestry. Especially for indoor plants, the mixture consists of soil, peat, superphosphate, potassium sulfate, bone and blood meal, and sand.

BENEFITS. Long lasting nutrient supply for the houseplant, building a stable base for large specimens and a wide range of mix types for different species.

LIMITATIONS. Variable composition, high weight, more easily soiled, in comparison with the peat substrate.

PEAT SUBSTRATE

A popular and widespread type of substrate. Excellent soil for potted plants based on peat. The substrate is light and easy to use, has proven itself positively around the world.

Loved by many experienced flower growers, and gives excellent results. When planting, compact in a pot.

BENEFITS. Light weight, easy to use at home, high quality from most manufacturers.

LIMITATIONS. Poor stability of pots with large houseplants, it is difficult to saturate with moisture after a strong drying out, needs to be fed already in the early stages, as nutrients are quickly depleted.

Peat - important component soil substrate for the favorable development of plants.

We told you about the main types of soil substrates, the so-called potting soil, we hope that the information provided will help you achieve the desired result!

How to disinfect the ground for indoor plants and flowers?

There are several ways to disinfect the land: heating, freezing, treatment with fungicides and insecticides.

AVAILABLE METHOD

Warming up in metal utensils on the cooker. At the bottom of the pan, sand is poured with a layer of 2-3 cm, and on top of the earth (component). When heated, moisture begins to evaporate from the sand and the steam warms the earth. Approximate duration: 50-60 minutes for a 10 liter saucepan.

STERILIZATION

Concerning sterilization various opinions are expressed.

The magazine "Celebration of Flowers" believes that the microflora in the earth is useful for plants and its elimination negatively affects their development. Therefore, the method of warming up the earth described above can be used if the processed component in the soil mixture occupies less than 25% of the total volume.

You can restore the microflora of the earth with the help of special preparations with live microorganisms: "Renaissance", "Baikal M", "Vostok EM-1" and others.

Approximately 3-4 weeks after transplantation, the root system is restored and you can start using these preparations.

• At the same time, it is desirable to sterilize for some components, for example, coconut fiber, tree bark.

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. IN purchased soil it is desirable to add tree bark or coal, sphagnum and coniferous land.

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. For different types orchids need a different nutrient substrate. 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.

Some of the options for a specialized potting mix for houseplants.

We hope that now the soil for indoor plants and flowers in your home will be optimal. If you have any questions, we will be happy to answer them!

ADDITIONS TO THE ARTICLE:

We wish you a lot beautiful flowers in the house and happiness in life!

Indoor lemon is not only beautiful, but also useful plant. At proper care one tree produces 20-30 fruits per year. Create optimal conditions for a lemon at home it is difficult, especially to pick up the soil. The soil for lemon should be light, moderately enriched with minerals.

Transplanting a lemon requires specially selected land

You can prepare the soil mixture yourself or buy ready-made in a flower shop. Ready mixes contain all the necessary components and qualities.

What soil is suitable for lemon

Lemon begins to bear fruit at 2-3 years of life, but it can bloom and bear fruit only when created for it. ideal conditions life. by the most important condition is the soil. What soil qualities are important for normal growth lemon:

1. Lightweight, high permeability to air and moisture. Lemon roots are devoid of special hairs, it is more difficult for them to extract nutrition from the soil.
2. Neutrality (optimum pH around 5.5–7). Increased acidity of the soil can lead to leaf fall and death of the plant.
3. The absence of large earthen lumps in the mixture. Large clods in a pot interfere with the normal absorption of nutrients by the roots.

In heavy soil (fatty black soil), lemons do not take root: moisture is poorly distributed there, greenhouse processes are present. The root system in heavy soil can dry out or rot.

Lemon quickly draws minerals from the soil, so the earth must be constantly enriched with special fertilizers. Trees are also periodically replanted. In what soil to transplant a lemon depends on its age. Young plants require special conditions. They need soil great content sand or peat. Mature plants are suitable for heavier soils. Transplant adults lemon trees it is necessary every three or four years, increasing the size of the pot.

Fat black soil is not suitable for lemon

Store-bought soil mixtures for lemon

Beginning citrus growers prefer to plant a lemon in ready-made potting mix from the store. This is right, because in the absence of experience it is difficult to choose the necessary components and prepare the substrate for the lemon with your own hands. But after a while, many notice that the plant is withering. When transplanting a lemon, you can see that the root system did not grow into the new soil, but completely remained in the old lump. Does this mean that store mixes are bad and not suitable for lemon? No, you just need to choose the right substrate. Shop primer for lemon consists of the following components:

• riding fibrous peat;
• decomposed peat humus;
• river sand;
• complex mineral fertilizer (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium).

Peat is the decayed remains of marsh plants. This is a very valuable material, it has excellent permeability to water and air, contains all the components necessary for plant growth. Why, then, do not all plants take root in such a good substrate? The problem may be related to the substrate or plant.

Some manufacturers use waste land from greenhouses to prepare soil mixtures. It is usually already depleted and deprived of natural nutrients, but the pathogenic microflora in such a land is well developed. This is the first problem.

The second problem is soil storage. Mixtures are sold in tightly packed bags. in wet peat substrate the processes of decomposition of plant components continue. Created favorable environment for development anaerobic bacteria. They release toxic waste products into the soil. Lemon cannot thrive in such a land.

Lemon soil is sold in most gardening stores.

How to choose a good store soil

When choosing a store soil, you will have to experiment, select and study mixtures from different manufacturers. What to look for when buying soil:

1. Date of manufacture, expiration date. The fresher the soil, the less microflora is developed in it, the more useful substances are preserved.
2. The ratio of mineral components. Lemon needs nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium in a ratio of 1:1.5:2.
3. Soil particle sizes. If there are a lot of compacted large lumps in the soil, its quality leaves much to be desired.

Before buying a soil mixture, it is better to consult with experienced citrus growers.

How to prepare the soil for a lemon yourself

Homemade soil for indoor lemon, prepared according to all the rules, is better than ready-made. What components can be used to prepare the substrate at home:

1. Lowland peat. You can buy it at a garden store. Before use, the raw materials are aired for 2-3 days. The concentration of peat in the mixture should be no more than 10%.
2. Garden land. You can take soil from any bed, but you need to clean it from grass roots and large lumps.
3. Sod land. good qualities possesses land from a clover lawn or an area where nettles grow. These soils have an optimal pH balance and chemical composition. It is not difficult to prepare the ground. A ten-centimeter layer is removed from the lawn, the earth is cleaned of roots and sifted from large particles and lumps.
4. Leaf humus. It is best to collect leafy soil from under the lindens. Remove a five-centimeter layer, sift from large particles. Land from under willows, oaks and conifers cannot be collected. It is acidic and contains tannins. It is good for other indoor plants, but not for lemon.
5. Sand. You need to choose coarse sand from a river or spring.
6. Manure manure. Suitable manure horses, cattle. It is easy to find on any livestock farm.
7. Charcoal. Use alder and birch. Before adding to the soil, it must be crushed into powder. In one pot, you can add 2 tablespoons of crushed coal.

All components after preparation must be mixed into a homogeneous mass. The ratio of garden, sod, deciduous land and sand is 1:1:1:1. For young plants, you can use a mixture of only soddy soil, leafy humus (1: 1), a small amount of sand or peat. The substrate for transplanting a lemon is prepared in advance, it is advisable to collect the components in the same place. The soil must be stored in a cool place.

For lemon, humus from under the linden is best suited.

Determination of soil quality

The quality of the prepared soil must be checked. You can independently control the pH level using litmus paper. Procedure:

1. Moisten the soil clod with filtered or distilled water.
2. Firmly apply litmus to the wet earth.

The normal pH level (6–7) is indicated by the yellow and greenish color of the indicator strip. Red color indicates increased acidity, blue litmus becomes in an alkaline environment.

Homemade and store soil can be checked for impurities of petroleum products. To do this, a small amount of the mixture is thrown into clean water and interfere.

When the earth settles to the bottom, you need to examine the surface of the water. The absence of rainbow and greasy spots indicates that there are no impurities. If you wish, you can take a sample of the earth to the laboratory, where they examine mineral composition. This indicator is very important. Lemon is harmed by both low and high mineral content.

Drainage materials

When planting and transplanting a lemon, it is important to create a drainage layer at the bottom of the pot so that excess moisture can freely escape into a pot or tray. For drainage, you can use the following materials:

• expanded clay;
• gravel;
• river pebbles;
• broken red brick;
• fragments of pottery.

The most commonly used expanded clay. You can buy it at any flower and garden store. As a drainage for a lemon, a mixture of river sand and peat is used, which remains after the preparation of the soil mixture.

Expanded clay - traditional drainage for plants

Indoor lemon care

Young lemons grow very actively, they quickly draw nutrients from the soil. Therefore, it is important to properly care for the plant and soil. If you plant it in unproductive soil, the plant will die. Basic rules for caring for an indoor lemon tree:

1. Watering. From May to September, the lemon is watered every day. Watering twice a week is carried out in autumn and winter. Lemon does not like drought.
2. The introduction of mineral and organic feeding. It is best to use liquid mineral fertilizers for citrus fruits. From improvised materials, you can mix the top layer of the earth with ash (1 tablespoon), crushed charcoal, tea leaves (1 tablespoon). Feed once a month in summer, once every two months in autumn.
3. Loosening. The earth needs to be loosened regularly. This increases its breathability. The top layer of the earth is loosened with a wooden stick or a small spatula.
4. Transfer. Young lemons are transplanted into new tubs as they grow. Adults every 4-5 years. You can not change the place of residence of the tree during flowering and fruiting. A clod of earth on the roots must be left.

Proper care will ensure the normal development of the tree. A healthy lemon pleases not only with the beauty of the green crown, but also with juicy yellow fruits. If the lemon began to hurt, you need to revise the irrigation regime, check the quality of the soil again. The presence of pests is evidenced by spots and holes on the leaves.