-Differentiation of acidic and alkaline soils-

The vast majority of flowers and plants on the market prefer an acidic environment. Flowers such as azalea, gardenia, jasmine and camellia prefer acid even more. Their leaves will not turn yellow or develop chlorosis in acidic soil.

The red soil and yellow soil in the south have a pH value between 4.5 and 5.5, which is a natural acidic soil. You can add some leaf humus to grow acidic flowers. The soil in the north is mostly neutral or alkaline. For example, the soil in North China and Northwest China mostly contains calcium carbonate, and the pH value is generally between 7.5 and 8.5. A few strongly alkaline soils have a pH value as high as 10.5.

Therefore, it is relatively easy for flower lovers in the southern region to grow most flowers. In addition, the climate is humid and warm, so flowers generally grow well. Flowers of flower lovers in the north often have problems such as yellowing leaves if they are in alkaline soil and water areas.

Many flower lovers will ask, in addition to the north and south, is there any way to judge the acidity and alkalinity of potting soil? Simply put, you can tell with a pH test paper. Of course, you can also analyze it from the properties of the soil. The slightly acidic soil has a higher content of organic matter and is generally black, brown, brown-black, or yellow-red. Alkaline soils are mostly grayish white or yellowish white, with a high sand content. After watering, white powder often appears on the soil surface or the edge of the pot.

This is our usual more intuitive judgment of acidic and alkaline soil. In addition to choosing suitable soil, you can also water some acidic water during normal watering to lower the soil pH, which can also improve the soil environment and reduce the problem of yellow leaves on flowers.

-Water with acidic water, the flowers will grow better-

(1) Tomato rice water

Tomatoes contain a lot of carotene, vitamin C, malic acid, citric acid, and fruit acid. Some unripe tomatoes have even higher acidity. If you have rotten or moldy tomatoes at home, you can use them to make acidic flower fertilizer, which is beneficial to the growth of acid-loving flowers.

Dice a tomato and mash it into juice. Put the juice into a plastic bottle, add 70% to 80% rice washing water, cover the bottle with a lid (not too tight), ferment for 5-10 days, dilute 50 times and use it to water the flowers.

If you have plants like gardenia at home that are showing signs of chlorosis, you can use this acid water to water the flowers. The leaves will turn from yellow to green, and gradually become lush and verdant, with many fragrant flowers.

(2) Ferrous sulfate water

The most commonly used method is to directly buy ferrous sulfate to improve the soil environment. After ferrous sulfate is added to water, the water becomes acidic. It can also provide iron to plants, which is beneficial to the synthesis of chlorophyll, enhances the photosynthesis ability of plants, makes the leaves dark green and shiny, and makes the plants stronger, which plays a role in preventing and treating plant chlorosis.

Ferrous sulfate is usually prepared as a 0.2% aqueous solution. If you don't have an electronic scale, add a soybean-sized amount of ferrous sulfate to 1L of bottled water. When plant chlorosis is serious, it can be treated once a week, and once or twice a month after recovery.

(3) Tablet water

The unfinished and expired vitamin C or stomach-strengthening and digestion-promoting tablets at home can be used to soak water and water the flowers. After the vitamin C or stomach-strengthening and digestion-promoting tablets are dissolved in the water, the water becomes acidic, which is beneficial to improve the potting soil environment. It is very helpful for gardenia, rose, jasmine and other flowers and plants. In an acidic environment, the leaves are not easy to turn yellow, and the flowers bloom more and more brightly.

Add a digestive tablet or vitamin C to a bottle of mineral water, shake it to dissolve quickly, and use it to water the flowers after dissolution. In an acidic environment, it can promote growth and flowering.

(4) Vinegar water

Vinegar contains 1-5% acetic acid, so it tastes sour, which can make the soil acidic, lower the soil pH, inhibit the biological activity of glycolate oxidase in the process of "photorespiration", and improve the efficiency of photosynthesis. Use some vinegar on acid-loving flowers, and the flowers will grow more vigorously and have more colorful flowers.

When using, be sure to use salt-free or low-salt brewed vinegar to prevent the soil from having too high salt content.

(5) Fruit peel water

Collect the peels left over from eating fruits and make peel water. Using it to water flowers can lower the soil pH and supplement fertility. The peels are rich in organic matter and are a good fertilizer for flowers with a balanced nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content. After fermentation, they are acidic, which is conducive to the growth of flowers. For many flowers in alkaline areas, it can turn yellow leaves of plants into green leaves.

Collect the peels and put them in a plastic bottle, then add brown sugar and water, the ratio of sugar, peels and water is 1:3:10. Fill it 70% full, do not close the lid tightly, use it after about 3 months, the effect is best, dilute it 10 times when using it to water the flowers.

Pineapple peel, apple peel, tangerine peel, orange peel, and watermelon peel can all be used to make enzymes with very good results.

Is flower soil acidic or alkaline? Generally speaking, you can tell by its organic matter content and color.

Regularly water acid-loving flowers with acidic water

The leaves are dark green, and the flowers are more numerous and more fragrant !

Show it to flower lovers in need!