In shops the huge choice of ready soil for different types of plants is provided. What qualitative they would not be, experienced flower growers advise to bring in purchased substrates of additive, so-called pochvouluchshitel.
Why additives are necessary
They considerably improve physical properties of soil, doing it friable, friable, air. Additives happen organic and mineral origin. Each additive has both pluses, and minuses.
Organic pochvouluchshitel
They are good that, allocate substrate with useful substances. At the same time increase its moisture capacity and air permeability.
Peat represents the rotted-through remains of flora and fauna. It does the soil easy, increases its nutritiousness, has high acidity.
Sapropel – muddy substance from bottom of lakes with the semi-decayed remains of animals and plants. It abounds with natural growth factors, useful elements.Coal will make soil more air-permeable and minimizes its souring. Also it has bactericidal properties.
The sphagnum is moss from swamps. It perfectly absorbs moisture. Being in soil, the sphagnum if necessary willingly shares moisture with roots of plants. Possesses sour reaction. The sphagnum is considered ideal additive in soil for aroidny and orchids. Coconut substrate – one of products of processing of coconut peel. This additive increases air permeability of soil and provides uniform distribution of moisture. In coconut substrate there is a lot of calcium and potassium.
Pine bark provides air permeability and moisture capacity of soil. The large fraction can be used as drainage.
Inorganic pochvouluchshitel
These additives, unlike organic, do not affect nutritiousness of soil. They are used for giving bigger water - and air permeability.
Sand does soil air-permeable, but at the same time makes heavier it. Therefore it is recommended to add no more than 20% of substrate volume.
I do haydite of clay, it is ideal not only for drainage, but also as pochvouluchshitel. Mainly crushed fines is for this purpose used. If necessary large haydite can be broken into small parts.
Perlite and vermiculite – minerals of chemical origin. The first represents bellied glass, and the second – bellied mica. Their addition in soil optimizes its structure.
The foam crumb will become excellent replacement to perlite and vermiculite. It also approaches for drainage role. The crumb of polyfoam not only loosens pochvosmes, but also preserves roots of plants against overheating and overcooling.
Hydrogel is the polymer having high hygroscopic abilities. Being in soil, it will absorb in itself(himself) surplus of moisture, and if necessary will give it to roots. Hydrogel also holds the dissolved fertilizers, and then shares them with plants.