As a rule, at first, a person needs to plant or transplant something, and for this he thinks about the soil only after. It is for this reason that ready-made primers are so popular, with which the shelves of flower shops abound. But how to navigate them?
What are we planting?
All plants can be conditionally divided into several main groups: flowering houseplants, succulents (cacti, bastards, etc.) and ordinary ornamental-leaved plants. Each of these groups has its own requirements for the substrate. So, for example, flowering plants need elements that contribute to long and prolonged flowering, but for decorative leaves, substrates that provoke the growth of foliage and, conversely, inhibit the color set, are suitable. As for cacti and their relatives, the main requirement for the soil for them is relative looseness and good drainage. In heavy, moisture-rich soil, they will simply die.
Separately, it is worth mentioning the soil for seedlings. Do not think that you can get by with a universal soil. Seedlings need a starter set of micronutrients that reduce stress and promote rapid, harmonious growth. That is, the soil should be designed specifically for young, growing plants.
Soil composition
It may seem that the use of ready-made soils solves the problem of choice at the root, but do not rush to conclusions. Firstly, the ready-made soil just for your case may not always be in the store, and secondly, you also need to make sure in advance about the quality of the soil. What can you see in the soil mixture for plants? As a rule, soils are distinguished by their composition. The main components of any soil mixture are as follows: top peat, lowland peat and vermicompost.
Top peat is the most common potting medium in store-bought flower pots. Its main advantage is lightness. During transportation, such soil weighs practically nothing, at the same time, it allows you to maintain plants in a viable state for a long time. But the top peat is poor in nutrients and it is better to use it in a mixture with more fertile soil.
Low-lying peat is a soil richer in nutrients. In structure, such a land will be denser, but this is its main danger. It is good to use as a component of a soil mixture for plant transplantation.
Vermicompost is a product of manure processing by earthworms. There are many biologically active substances and organics that are so useful for plants. Vermicompost-based mixtures are used to improve soils and enrich them with nutrients. But by its structure, vermicompost is rather loose and cannot be used independently.
