What kind of soil do roses like - acidic or alkaline
Content:
For the successful creation of a rose garden, it is necessary to select the right seedlings and find out the quality of the soil in the backyard area. Before carrying out planting work, it is necessary to clarify which soil for roses is preferable and, according to the data obtained, select compositions for applying dressings.
What kind of soil do roses like - acidic or alkaline
Roses in the garden place increased demands on the organization of planting
Rose bushes are considered one of the most capricious, they do not tolerate inappropriate levels of moisture and acidity of the earth. Experts have empirically proved that the only one of all types of soil on which flowers will never grow and develop normally is swampy.
What should be
What kind of soil do roses like? Preference is given to loamy soils containing sufficient amounts of humus. Such land allows shrubs to quickly adapt and actively bloom. For rocky options, it is better to choose dwarf varieties, but you should also remember to monitor the humidity level. With a constant accumulation of liquid, the roots will begin to rot and the plant will die.
Newcomers to floriculture rarely pay enough attention to the quality characteristics of the soil on the land.
The answer to the question: what kind of soil do home roses like - acidic or alkaline - is very simple. The capricious queen of the garden prefers slightly acidic soil, which is considered ideal for her. Determination of acidity is carried out according to special indicators that are sold in gardening stores.
Rose planting rules
How to properly prepare the soil before planting a flower
You can create garden soil for a rose yourself. Before starting the procedure, find out its type and a list of necessary fertilizers:
- with a sandy version, clay is added to make it heavier;
- with clayey - lighten it with coarse sand;
- swampy - a mixture consisting of clay, sand, lime and compost is introduced;
- loamy - only compost is introduced.
If the land is depleted, then you can purchase a ready-made soil mixture for roses and fill it in the planting pit.
Preparing the soil for transplanting is carried out taking into account the above rules
Methods for determining the acidity of the soil using natural vegetation, litmus paper, device
The best indicator of soil acidity for roses is in the range from 5.5 to 6.5 pH. These levels correspond to slightly acidic soil.
There are several methods for determining the state of the earth:
- Acidity indicator. Sold in household chemical stores or pharmacies. To check, take a small amount of soil, dry it and send it to a container. Distilled water is poured into it, everything is mixed and a litmus indicator is attached to the inner wall of the container.After 30 seconds, it will change color, the shade is compared with the indicator scale, which is attached to the probe.
- Folk technique. Does not guarantee accurate measurement results, it allows you to determine only general indicators: alkaline, neutral or acidic environment. It helps you identify the type of fertilizer to use to feed your garden. Two containers are filled with garden soil, and distilled water is poured into them. Baking soda is added to one container, and vinegar solution to the second. If this is followed by a reaction in the first vessel, then the earth is acidic, in the other it is alkaline. If nothing happens, then the soil is neutral.
- A device in the form of a mechanical meter. But since it does not give accurate readings, it is better to use an electronic one. It is enough to stick it into the ground and the result will appear on the sensor. The disadvantages of the method include the cost of the device, but it will be useful to the florist more than once in his work.
Indicator indicators
Increasing the nutritional value of the soil with folk remedies
The best soil for roses is fertile and loose. To increase the nutrient level of the substrate, it is necessary to adjust the acidity indicators. The introduction of nutrients and the creation of drainage for roses in the garden before planting work are included in the mandatory list of requirements.
If the plantings will be placed in pots, then it is better to fill them with a ready-made store composition, which is completely balanced. The success of the procedure also depends on the general condition of the seedlings. If they are absolutely healthy, they will be able to take root on almost any land.
Improving the state of the soil mixture can be done with improvised means, subject to certain conditions:
- For clayey, a mixture is used, consisting of 6 hours of river coarse sand and 1 hour of sod, leafy soil, compost and humus.
- Loamy ones require additives in the form of 3 hours of coarse sand and 1 hour of sod land, compost and humus;
- Sandy ones are diluted with a mixture of 1 tsp of sod base, humus and compost, 2 tsp of crushed clay powder.
If it is not possible to prepare the ground for roses on your own, then ready-made products sold in any flower shop are taken for replacement. In this case, you need to focus on the variety of seedlings and indicators of soil acidity.
Experienced gardeners do not deny the old methods of caring for the rose garden. Before planting, the root system of the seedlings is dipped in a clay mash, consisting of equal parts of clay and manure. The roots are introduced into a solution resembling sour cream in consistency and left for 10 minutes. After that, you can plant the young.
An increase in the nutrient content of the soil is carried out due to the specified components
Improving soil fertility by mulching, applying mineral fertilizers
What soil do indoor or garden roses need? Flowers have a positive attitude to heat, but do not like direct sunlight. Continuous contact with them can cause burns and dehydration. Mulching is used to protect the topsoil in the rose garden; it is necessary for rare planting of shrubs.
An alternative to mulching is the planting of low-growing plants, which should cover the root system of roses.
Mulching the rose garden
The application of mineral fertilizers is carried out after the onset of warmth, in early spring. During flowering, they are not used, therefore, when planting early flowering varieties, feeding should be done in a timely manner. Some specialists prefer to replace fertilizers with HB 101, which consists of cedar, cypress, pine and plantain pomace. The minerals included in it are designed to enhance plant growth. The tool helps to increase the level of resistance to diseases, improves the functioning of the immune system. For root feeding, a granular version of the drug is used: several pieces are placed in a planting pit. If there is depleted land on the territory, then every three weeks a liquid solution from this agent is introduced into it.
Common mistakes of beginners in floriculture include incorrectly selected planting pit depth and lack of a drainage system. The holes should be dug up to 70 cm in depth and width, and their bottom is covered with drainage (pebbles, broken brick, rubble or similar material are suitable). From above it is covered with thick (up to 40 cm) pre-prepared soil, then fertile soil mixture.
HB 101
How to set soil moisture
This indicator helps to determine the level of looseness of the garden soil. Shrubs react negatively to constant dampness. To check, take a small handful of soil in your hand and squeeze it. If the lump easily crumbles, then the humidity is zero and additional power is required. With a short connection and subsequent loss of shape, the indicator is 30% and requires an increase in moisture. The best option is one in which the lump remains compressed and does not try to crumble into components. The worst is if the figurine is completely wet and smears on the hand. This soil is not suitable for planting rose bushes.
Florists often make the mistake of trying to plant a rose garden in the most spectacular places. A capricious plant will not develop and bloom in an inappropriate territory, it will quickly get sick and die. Before carrying out planting work, you need to determine the acidity of the soil, select suitable mineral fertilizers and only then create a flower garden.
