Some representatives of the flora like to grow on acidic soils, but the vast majority of plants prefer a pH in the range from slightly acidic to slightly alkaline, including neutral.
Acidity is determined by the concentration of hydrogen ions in the soil. It is indicated by the pH sign, followed by a number characterizing this indicator.
Indicator of acidic soils is within
- from 4 to 7.7-8 - neutral
- above 8.5 - alkaline
In acidic soils, ions of heavy metals, iron, aluminum, manganese, and radionuclides become the most active. The main products necessary for plant life, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, in such soils are inaccessible to the roots and are not assimilated in the required quantities. The root system cannot develop, the immunity of the plant is weakened, the beneficial microflora is in insufficient quantity, the structure of the soil is destroyed.
Tell the owner of the site what kind of soil, alkaline or acidic, in a particular area, plants growing there can. Representatives of the flora that prefer to settle on acidic soils belong to the group of acidophiles. The preliminary signs of an acidic soil reaction are considered to be sorrel, caustic buttercup, oxalis, blueberries, heather, field horsetail, and certain types of mosses growing on the site. Weakly acidic soils can be recognized by cornflowers and ferns.
What kind of soil do roses like acidic or alkaline. Methods for determining the acidity of the soil
The acidity level of the soil is of great importance when growing roses. For a rose, the soil should be slightly acidic, only then will it grow and bloom well. That is why, even before planting seedlings, you need to determine the PH level and, if necessary, adjust it. The easiest way to determine acidity is with an ordinary test strip. These tests can be purchased at almost any gardening store. This is a very convenient yet economical option.
The ideal pH (acidity) of the soil for roses is 6-6.5. If this figure is lower, then the earth is too acidic. Roses do not like acidic soil. In this case, when preparing the landing site, ash, eggshells, dolomite or limestone flour are added to the pit. They do an excellent job and reduce acidity. One seat may require about a glass of ash. The exact amount can only be determined empirically.
If the level of acid-base balance is above 6.5-7, this indicates that you are dealing with an alkaline soil. In such a situation, it must be artificially acidified. To do this, you need to add peat, rotted needles, sawdust to the soil.
There is also another way to determine the acidity of the soil. It is only suitable for undeveloped areas where a representative of wild flora grows. The method is completely free and very accurate. You need to take a closer look at the site. By what grows on it, you can tell if the earth is acidic or alkaline.
On acidic soils grows: horsetail, fireweed, tricolor violet, plantain, buttercup, sorrel, marigold.
On alkaline soils grows: comfrey, common plantain, bindweed, mustard, white doze, quinoa.
But if on the site you see a pharmacy chamomile, clover, soapwort, cuff and stinging nettle, then this soil is neutral.It is suitable for growing roses without adding additional substances.
Hydrangea: description, photo
The flower got its name for its moisture-loving nature. From the Latin language, the designation "hydrangea" is translated as a combination of "water" and "jug". Officially, hydrangea is called hydrangea. In Europe, the name was consonant with the common female name, so there were many myths about whom the loving botanist Fliber Commerson honored to be the founder of the name of the flower.
There is a popular legend about the emperor of Japan, who liked white elongated panicles, he used them to apologize to his lady. Since then, the hydrangea variety began to be personified with cordiality, sincerity of feelings, a manifestation of complacency.
These garden flowers are used as the main element of floral arrangements, borders, planted in plots to divide the space, while simultaneously marking the territory with abundant inflorescences of different shades. They coexist with thujas, juniper trees, but do not like to grow in the shade of tall conifers.
Hydrangeas are represented by several species: some of them belong to the shrub type, some grow like trees, the rest develop like vines. Description of the classic type of hydrangea:
How to increase acidity
Acidity can be increased by adding organic fertilizers:
- for 1 m², add 4 kg of manure or 1 kg of sour peat.
- You can add urea, ammonium nitrate - 1 tsp each. for 1 m².
In extreme cases, any food acids, for example, oxalic or citric, will help to raise the acidity of the soil.
- Dissolve 5 g of acid in a bucket of water - this is the norm for 1 m².
- You can use acetic acid and malic acid - 100 ml per bucket of water. This is also the norm for 1 m².
What kind of soil do cucumbers like? What kind of land do cucumbers like?
The main requirements of the culture for the mechanical composition of the soil are high air permeability and moisture capacity, therefore, cucumbers are recommended to be planted on light and medium loams, which are distinguished by good aeration of the root system, evenly distribute and retain moisture.
For good development, a cucumber needs mineral and organic nutrition, which comes from the soil immediately after planting the plants, so the soil should be high in humus and with an optimal ratio of macronutrients.
Important minerals:
Precautions
In order to avoid causing harm to flowers, it is important to follow a number of rules during the breeding process:
- choose a suitable place;
- provide nutritious soil;
- water regularly and in a timely manner, trying to do it closer to the roots, without touching the foliage and stems, making sure that moisture in the soil does not stagnate;
- maintain the permeability of the soil by introducing peat and sand into it for better moisture penetration to the root system;
- loosen the soil after each wetting;
- apply the required fertilizers on time and to the recommended extent;
- carry out pruning.
Recommendation: in order to avoid a lack of moisture, it is advisable not to plant hydrangea in close proximity to vegetation with a superficial root system.
How to lower acidity
The acidity can be reduced by adding fluff lime, dolomite flour. Chalk or wood ash will also work.
Soil liming
To carry out liming, it is better to know more accurate indicators of the soil environment for the correct calculation of the rates and methods of applying lime or other deoxidizers. After all, the wrong dosage can harm cultivated plants.
- With an acidity of 4.0 to 5.5, 2 kg of dolomite flour per 1 m² are needed. Apply it in the fall for 3 years, referring to the instructions on the package.
- Wood ash under the same conditions is needed up to 500 g per 1 m².
Liming is best done in autumn, once every 4-5 years.However, you do not need to chalk thoughtlessly, just because your neighbors did it or was recommended by friends. After all, the acidity of the soil can vary greatly throughout the site and even in adjacent beds.
And even if you have no complaints about your six hundred square meters, periodically check the level of acidity of the soil in order to be on the alert and take the necessary measures in time.
What flowers love acidic soil. Plants for acidic, slightly acidic and neutral soils
Complain that there is acidic peat-boggy soil on the site, try to reduce its acidity, or vice versa, do you have stony loam, that is, alkaline soil, and there is a need to increase its acidity? But maybe you shouldn't be so upset?
If you know which plants, which soil is preferable, then you can grow them. Most of the beautifully flowering plants grow on acidic and slightly acidic soils, but for alkaline there are very interesting flower garden scenarios.
And you also need to understand that highly acidic soil interferes with the work of beneficial microorganisms: earthworms, millipedes, etc. and enhances the leaching of nutrients from the upper layers to the lower ones - all this leads to the accumulation of harmful substances and nitrogen starvation.
Acidifying materials
Sulfur
It is a common, widespread acidifying material. Soil organisms convert sulfur into sulfuric acid, and therefore acidify the soil. The more finely crushed the sulfur, the faster bacteria can convert it. Sulfur acidification, however, takes several weeks, and when that time falls in winter, it can take months. Although sulfur is the cheapest acidifier and least harmful to plants, other materials are sometimes used:
Aluminum sulfate
This substance is often used to produce blue hydrangea flowers because it is used where soil conditions are not acidic enough for the plants to produce blue flowers themselves. Aluminum sulfate is also used as a soil acidifier. The effect is quick, but large amounts can affect the phosphorus level in the soil and can also lower the pH too much. In addition, frequent use can lead to the accumulation of aluminum in the soil to toxic levels.
Ferrous sulfate
Determination of acidity by type of soil
Different in texture (sand, silt, clay, loam) and natural structure (peat, turf, etc.) soils initially have a certain type of acidity (see figure).
Acidity of different types of soils
You need to understand that this is only a starting position. Even simply by growing certain plants on the ground or adding various fertilizers to it, we slightly change the basic acidity. However, for a rough understanding of what kind of soil you have on the site, such a diagram can be useful.
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It has a similar ability to acidify soils as aluminum sulfate. In addition, it supplies plants with iron, but when used in large quantities, it can interfere with the availability of phosphorus. This can be remedied by applying a phosphate fertilizer after the acidification process is complete.
Photo:
What should be the soil for roses. The right soil for roses
Roses are perennial plants whose roots go deep enough into the soil. Therefore, the basic preparation of the substrate for these flowers must be done very carefully. The soil for roses should be air and water permeable, loamy and slightly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5). The groundwater depth should not exceed 1.5 m.With a lack of oxygen, the growth and respiration of roots deteriorates, and excess moisture retards the development of the root system. That leads to the death of the plant, while the shoots ripen with a delay.
Different fertilizers increase the health of the rose
If a rose is planted in the spring, then it is better to prepare the soil in the fall. But you can do this a month before planting. The depth of the nutrient layer of soil for roses is at least 70 cm.
The planting hole is dug to a depth of 80-100 cm. The length and width of the hole depend on the size of the root system of the seedling. At the bottom, drainage from gravel and sand is arranged. But if there is a lot of sand in the soil, then such drainage will not be needed. Then the pit is filled with a mixture of a fertile top layer, excavated earth, sand, rotted manure, or compost and peat, in a ratio of 2: 2: 3: 1. Fertilization rates are determined in accordance with soil analyzes. If the soil readings do not go beyond the norm, then superphosphate (100 g per 1 m2) and ash (500-1000 g per m2) are added to the mixture obtained earlier.
Features of agricultural technology
Fertile clay areas with low acidity are most suitable for growing hydrangeas. Hydrangea grows very poorly in sandy areas, a little better - on red soil.
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Long-term sunlight and no wind are very important for the plant. It is advisable that the sun was on the site in the morning. When growing a plant in partial shade, it is not possible to achieve abundant flowering.
When breeding hydrangeas in slightly acidic compounds, you can get the brightest flowers possible. If the balance is neutral, then the growth of the plant is reduced and the flowers lose their brightness. Alkaline soils do not suit the flower at all. The plant grows very well on soil collected at the place where conifers grow.
Note! In some types of hydrangea, the shade of flowers is directly dependent on the balance of the soil. With increased acidity, you can see blue flowers, when grown on neutral soils - white or beige, on alkaline soils - pink or lilac.
