Caring for indoor plants how to loosen the soil. Loosen the earth in a flower pot

The situation when in a pot on the surface of the soil home flowerpots form either a dried crust or a whitish coating from excess mineral fertilizers, is familiar to many.

I used to loosen the soil more and more in flower pot. I even stuck a stick into one of the pots on the windowsill so as not to look for it, if necessary, to loosen the ground. But after my friend Olga, an experienced gardener, told me about different soil mulching methods I started using these methods.

Earth in flower pots

There are three components of the beauty and harmony of a houseplant: the plant itself, the pot and the appearance of the soil surface. And if the first two points are not in doubt (the plant must be well-groomed and healthy, and the pot should correspond to the size of the plant's root system), then not everyone cares about the aesthetics of the soil surface. And in vain ...

The land can and even needs to be hidden. This procedure is called mulching. Mulching “kills two birds with one stone”: the earth is disguised and Better conditions for plants.

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Thanks to this method, evaporation of moisture from the soil is reduced, while creating poor conditions for the germination of weeds and the penetration of pests into the soil, which is also an indisputable plus of this method, and, of course, the flowerpot gets a beautiful appearance.

Today's editorial "So simple!" tell you a few mulching options which will greatly facilitate the care of green pets, as well as decorate your interior. Save it, you'll need it!

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The material with which you are going to cover the soil should pass water and air well, not contain harmful substances. Please note that not every material that is used for this purpose in the garden is suitable for indoor plants.

For garden plot they try to use those types of mulch that rot over time and become an element of the soil. In indoor gardening, the most important thing is the durability of the material and its beautiful appearance.

Types of mulch for flowerpots

The most economical option is for those who have plants with beautiful colored leaves. They can be crushed and covered with soil in pots.
Especially pay attention to the chopped greens of plants such as nettles, legumes, yarrow. Similar herbs are rich in macronutrients, nitrogen and can be used as soil enrichment.

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Forest moss looks beautiful in pots. And not only green, but already yellowed. Well, if you don’t have forest moss, then you can use the one that is sold in orchid soil kits.
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Pine mulch, from bark, humus, sawdust - these are organic materials that allow you to enrich the soil, regulate its acidity. At the same time, bark for mulching, humus, compost, peat, tea, pine needles and other substances can protect the plant from a lack of moisture, they serve as an additional source for top dressing.
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The small pebbles just look great. And here it is not at all necessary to use multi-colored purchased ones, you can simply collect any small pebbles and rinse them with hot water.
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Mowed grass is rich in nitrogen, but it must be used carefully, as it quickly heats up during decomposition, and can greatly prevent air from penetrating into the soil.
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Straw for indoor pets is rarely used, although it can lower the level of nitrogen if necessary and retain heat.
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From synthetic materials, colored foam chips are used, which have no effect on the soil and the plant itself. The service life of such materials is long, they do not interact with the soil, they perform a strictly decorative role, retaining moisture in the ground, preventing it from evaporating.
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Plants, like people, need sunlight and warmth in winter. Indoor plants in the cold season often feel bad indoors. The reason for this is too dry air and lack of sunlight.

Transplanting sooner or later is necessary for all indoor plants. But in the case of giants, indoor large-sized, it is not carried out as long as possible, since this is not an easy task. And rarely, what adult plants need an annual transplant, not having time to master all the soil in pots. In years when transplantation is not carried out, it is almost always recommended to perform a mandatory procedure - a partial replacement of the soil. The topsoil is replaced both for hygiene purposes and to maintain the normal state of the substrate.

Partial soil replacement for indoor plants. © Jennifer

Partial soil replacement is a simple procedure that does not require any special skills or knowledge to replace the top layer of the substrate in pots with indoor plants.

Partial soil replacement is needed in several cases:

when the plant is transplanted not annually, but with a frequency of 1 time in 2-3 years or less, instead of transplanting, the contaminated topsoil is replaced at the optimal time;
for large-sized plants that are grown in concrete or stone flower beds, as well as containers that are too heavy to transport or move, replacing the transplant itself with this procedure;
if the soil becomes sour, contaminated, covered with mold, compacted too often and the top layer needs to be replaced to ensure normal air and water permeability;
if the plant is infested with pests or diseases, the lesions are severe, it has lost leaves, after treatment with fungicides or insecticides, replacing the top level of the substrate reduces the risk of a recurrence of the problem, allows you to remove contamination and sources of diseases from the substrate;
if the plant's roots come out on top of the pot, but the plant has not yet filled the substrate and there is no need for transplantation (or there is no way to carry it out), the contaminated soil is partially removed and a higher layer of earth covering the roots is added.

Replacing the top layer of the substrate is traditionally recommended to be carried out at the same time as plant transplantation, but early spring or the end of winter are by no means the only time for such a procedure. In fact, partial soil replacement can be carried out any time it is needed. If it replaces a transplant, then it’s true - from the end of February until May. But if replacement is needed to urgently improve the condition of the substrate, is associated with hygienic, preventive purposes, then it can be carried out at any time, except for winter, and preferably at the stage active growth plants.

The classic approach to replacing the soil instead of transplanting has led to another misconception, according to which partial replacement is carried out only once a year, like the transplant itself, for young or actively growing crops. For most small plants, this is true. best option. But if we are talking about indoor giants, which are difficult or impossible to transplant at all, then the soil must be replaced at least 2 times a year. After all, the soil for these plants is not completely changed, and in order for the procedure to have even a minimal effect, it will be necessary to change the top layer of soil in a pot once every six months. In this case, the replacement is carried out in spring and autumn. When replacing the top layer for hygienic or preventive purposes, it is carried out as many times as necessary, but not more than 1 time in 3 months.

The soil in a pot with a houseplant needs to be replaced. © Nikki Tilley

How much soil can be removed and replaced is always determined individually. The maximum amount of removed substrate that can be removed from the pots is a quarter of the entire soil. But it is always better to focus on a specific plant. Golden Rule replacement of the top layer of soil in pots with indoor plants says: you can remove only the contaminated layer of soil before the roots of the plant begin to occur. Since contact with the rhizome must be avoided (even the slightest), sometimes we are talking about a very thin layer of soil.

The procedure can only be carried out on a dry substrate. For plants that prefer stable moisture, allow the top 3-4 cm of soil to dry out. But in any case, it is undesirable to take out a wet substrate and several days should pass after watering.

There is nothing difficult in the process of replacing the top layer of the substrate. But you should be very careful and attentive, act carefully to eliminate the risk of touching the roots.

The procedure for changing the top layer of potting soil consists of several steps:

The container with the plant is transferred to a flat, smooth surface, covered with an insulating film on top or a tub, container, flower girl is surrounded by film and paper so as to avoid contamination of the floor surface.
Dry leaves are removed from the culture, the crown is examined, if necessary, sanitary cleaning is carried out, cutting off dry and damaged shoots.
Leaves are cleaned from dust and dirt with a soft sponge or textile napkin (if possible).
If the soil is compacted, crusted, water permeable, use a fork or any handy tool to work with indoor plants, slightly loosen the soil without touching the roots.
The soil is carefully raked first along the edge of the pot or container, carefully removing a few centimeters of soil around the circumference or perimeter of the container.
Having removed the substrate from the edge, they carefully move towards the shoots of the plant, deep into the pot. First, all visible contaminated areas are removed, and then all available soil, which can be removed without touching the roots.
After removing all the soil, a fresh substrate is poured on top, suitable for this plant. The soil level in pots and containers is left unchanged, except when the roots of the plant were bare from above: for this procedure, the roots are covered with a substrate so that at least 5 mm of soil layer is formed on top (optimally - 1-1.5 cm).
After carefully cleaning the container, removing dirt, the plants are rearranged on pallets and watered. If the soil sags heavily, it is slightly topped up.

Adding new soil to the pot after its partial replacement. © Alexis

Plants for which a topsoil change has been carried out are resumed normal care immediately. Unlike transplanting, there is no need to adapt or reduce watering, limiting top dressing (of course, if such measures are not due to the health of the green pet). For plants that compensate for the absence of a transplant in this way, stopping fertilizing can lead to a shortage nutrients. Mandatory, regular top dressing can compensate for the lack of fertility of the rest of the substrate. If the transplant has not been carried out for a very long time, then it is advisable to increase the concentration of fertilizers or add long-acting fertilizers to the freshly created layer.

To see a beautiful piece of land in a dream or to receive it is a harbinger of a happy family life.

Well-groomed land with beautiful gardens in a dream is a sign of great family happiness.

Land covered with greenery or moss in a dream - to money or a profitable marriage.

The barren land is dreamed of by those who face failure and bitter loss.

If you dream that the land is sown with wheat, then your hard hard work will help you get rich.

Kissing or eating the earth in a dream means humiliation and loss.

Vegetables growing on the ground are a sign of grief and trouble.

To see a fertile, black-earth area means your opportunities that you miss due to laziness or weakness of character. Sometimes such a dream warns of excessive gullibility. The larger the plot of land that you see in a dream, the more wealth, joy and happiness awaits you in life.

If you dream that you are desperately digging the ground, then you should moderate your selfish appetites so that you do not regret it later.

Plowing, sowing, fertilizing, planting seeds in the ground in a dream means profit and prosperity. For those who marry, such a dream predicts a strong family and healthy children.

Wet earth turned into slurry predicts illness. If you get dirty with it, then expect shame and contention. See interpretation: slurry, dirt.

Measuring a plot of land in a dream is a sign of contention with relatives. Measuring a piece of land in a dream portends that your situation will be desperate and your loved ones will feel sorry for you. Put markings on the ground - to divorce or division.

To see the dug up earth - sometimes to a funeral. Especially if you see it under the window of your house or near the house of your loved ones.

The torn earth is dreamed of by those whose life is not arranged. Such a dream does not portend them an early well-being.

If rods, sticks, pieces of wire stick out of the ground, then expect a delay in solving your case. In addition, you have enemies who are trying in every possible way to harm you. And this dream also means that you have messed up a lot in your life. Try to correct errors if possible.

Seeing the earth from a ship in a dream is a sign of imminent success that will follow long experiences and quests.

If you see a foreign country, then soon you will be made an interesting offer related to the trip.

The earth opened up under your feet in a dream - a sign that you will collapse in business and in love. Such a dream predicts long suffering, disappointment and humiliation. See interpretation: earthquake.

Getting bogged down in marshy ground in a dream means that your business will stall. If you are lucky in a dream and you get out of the swamp, then fate will generously reward you for your hard work. See interpretation: swamp.

Seeing diggers in a dream means that enemies are waiting for your death.

Lying on the ground in a dream is a sign of the disorder of your life and the collapse of plans for the future. After such a dream, it may well be that you will lose your livelihood.

If you dream that the earth has failed before your eyes, or you see an earth failure in a dream, then your plans will fail completely, troubles or misfortunes await you. It is said that such a dream predicts good luck to those who owe money or are going on a journey, since he promises the first that they will not have to pay debts, and the others that their journey will be successful.

Interpretation of dreams from the Family Dream Book

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The purpose of the lesson:

Continue to acquaint with the rules for caring for indoor plants, show their role in human life.

Continue to form in children an interest in the plant world;

Bring children to the understanding that indoor plants are living organisms that require some care;

To consolidate knowledge about the basic needs of indoor plants;

Teach children how to build a statement;

Develop algorithmic skills

Cultivate a love for plants, a desire to care for and take care of them.

Answer the problematic question "Why do I need to care for indoor plants?"

Learn how to take care of indoor plants.

Download:

Preview:

Lesson topic: "The loosening of the earth".

The purpose of the lesson:

continue to acquaint with the rules for caring for indoor plants, show their role in human life.

Tasks:

Continue to form in children an interest in the plant world;

Bring children to the understanding that indoor plants are living organisms that require some care;

To consolidate knowledge about the basic needs of indoor plants;

Teach children how to build a statement;

Develop algorithmic skills

Cultivate a love for plants, a desire to care for and take care of them.

Planned results of student achievement:

Answer the problematic question "Why do I need to care for indoor plants?"

Learn how to take care of indoor plants.

Used pedagogical technologies:

technology for the development of critical thinking, technology for problem-based learning, Information Technology learning.

Equipment:

indoor plants, illustrations of indoor plants, pegs for loosening the soil, watering can, presentation.

Organizing time.

Hello guys and dear guests!

The bell rang and fell silent,

The lesson starts.

Everyone was looking at me

They smiled and sat down.

I. Definition of the topic of the lesson, challenge:

- (Slide number 1) Guys, look at the slide, what season is shown on it? (winter).

Now look out the window, what do you see there? (empty, everything is frozen, covered with snow…)

Despite the fact that along with winter, blizzards and blizzards come to us. Leaves were shed and trees, bushes and grasses froze. Frozen, but not dead. Under the dead cover of snow, they conceal the mighty power of life. But there is another group of plants that makes up for this deficiency - plants that bloom and delight us with their beauty not only in summer, but also in winter.

These plants are grown indoors. Look at the plants in the study.(Slide #2)

What is the name of this group of plants? (Houseplants).
- What do you guys think, what do indoor plants have to do with our lesson?

You are absolutely right. For several lessons now, we have been studying the rules for caring for indoor plants, and today's lesson is no exception. But first, we will recall the material of the topics covered.

Knowledge update

Before you are leaflets on them there are questions and answers to these questions, but not all answers are correct. You must circle the letters with the correct answers, these letters can be several or one. Now you sign your last name, first name and begin to complete tasks on your own.

Written test-survey:

What plants are called indoor?

a) ... which are grown in the garden;

b) ... which grow in the forest;

c) ... which are grown in the room.

Choose what any houseplant needs for life:

a) air;
b) water;
c) soil;
d) light;
e) ploughing.

What kind of water should be watered indoor plants?

a) from the tap;
b ) water at room temperature;
c) hot;
d) boiled.

What is used to remove dust from plants with small leaves?

a ) with a damp cloth;
b ) with a damp sponge;
c) with a brush;
G ) sprayer (sprayer).

What care do houseplants need?

a) dust removal;
b) spraying;
d) drying;
c) watering.

We will check: I will show the correct answers, and you, if necessary, correct the wrong answers.(Slide number 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

Set the leaves aside.

- (Slide number 8) So, we remembered the rules and methods for caring for indoor plants, tell me, butWhy care for indoor plants?

Well, we will return to this question at the end of the lesson and check if you answered it correctly.

Look at the board, in front of you is a table, the first column of which is called what?

- "I know".

So what do you already know about houseplant care? (fill in 1 column of the table)

But we still don’t know everything about caring for indoor plants, there is another way, do you want to know which one?

It's a way of loosening the earth (fill in the 2nd column of the table).

The third column "Learned" we will fill in at the end of the lesson.

II Understanding:

The theme of our lesson: "Loosening the earth."

What do you think loosening the earth is?

Guys, I received an e-mail from an experienced grower about “What is “loosening” for a plant?” Listen to it carefully:

(Slide number 9) Loosening is one of the important elements of flower care. This is the so-called "drywatering "And they say the truth:" It is better to loosen well 1 time than to water badly 2 times. When loosening, small capillaries of the soil are destroyed, through which water rises and thereby dries out the underlying layers of the earth. When loosening, air penetrates the soil and the roots of the plant breathe.

Why loosening is necessary for indoor plants?(Air penetrates the soil, makes the roots breathe).

(Slide number 10) Loosening rules:

it is necessary to loosen the top layer of the earth the next day after watering;
loosen the earth to a depth of no more than 1.5 cm;
loosen carefully, mainly near the walls of the pot, so as not to damage the roots.

How to carry out loosening?

I have prepared for you a memo "Rules of Loosening", it will help us to carry out practical work.

Physical education minute

Game "Be careful"

I propose to leave the desks. You should raise your hands and clap your hands above your head as soon as you hear a word that is somehow related to flowers, and if it is not related to flowers, you stomp your feet:

Road, stem, window, leaf, flower pot, wind, bouquet.

Well done! Claps were not simple, but magic keys, thanks to which the doors to our practical platform opened wide.

Practical work

The plants in front of you are waiting for our care. To do the work of loosening the soil, we need a peg, it is in front of you. But you must comply following rules when working with a peg for loosening. Everyone put the pieces of paper with the rules in front of them and we begin to read at the same time aloud, in an undertone, so as not to interfere with each other.

Safety rules when working with a peg for loosening:

1. Dangers at work:

hand injury;
eye injury.

2. Things to do while working:

work with the peg carefully;
pass the peg only with the blunt part forward;
you can not lift the peg high.

3. What needs to be done at the end of work:

wash the instrument.

4. What to do if you get injured:

if injured, seek immediate medical attention.

Roll up your sleeves, put on aprons and remember that during work you can’t push, talk loudly, stand so that everyone is comfortable and everything is clearly visible, respect each other. (The teacher does the same).

Feel the soil in the flower hills. What does she feel like?

The ground is hard.

See how to loosen the soil in flower pots:

I take the pot with the plant with both hands and put it in so that it is convenient for me to loosen the soil.

I take a peg for loosening and begin to loosen carefully near the walls of the pot to a depth of 1.5 cm. It is marked on your pegs.

Kirill, show and tell again how to properly loosen the soil in a pot.

Now you yourself will loosen the soil.

How will Timothy start this work?

I take a pot with a plant and put it closer to me.

I take a peg and begin to loosen the soil near the walls of the pot.

Artyom, how should loosening be done?

Loosen carefully so as not to damage the roots.

Students independently loosen the soil in pots with indoor plants, the teacher walks along the rows and helps the children in their work.

Ksyusha, what was the soil in the pot after loosening?

The soil has become soft (loose).

Guys, put the plants with loosened soil in their original place. Rinse your hands and pegs, dry your hands and pegs with a napkin and fold everything neatly. We sit down correctly. We return to our table.

Let's answer the question "What did I learn?" (fill in column 3)

so d Why take care of indoor plants?

Green pets will thank you with clean air, foliage, beautiful flowers and some even fruits.

(Slide number 11)

III. Reflection

"Mood Bouquet"

Guys, at the beginning of the event, I gave you flowers red, yellow and blue. Let's put these flowers in front of us, and if you are satisfied with your work in the lesson, then you take a red flower, yellow - I worked well, but I can do even better, blue - the work did not work out, I am not satisfied with myself. The blackboard shows a houseplant, but it hasn't bloomed yet. Now you attach your flowers to this plant, and it will delight us with its flowering.

In conclusion, listen to N. Grigorieva's poem "Indoor Flowers"

I love flowers in the room

Just like you love them too.

I caress them, water them,

I sing a song to them at night,

They respond with love

They greet you with a gentle smile.

Additional task:

Do you believe that indoor plants purify, refresh and humidify the air (yes).
Do you believe houseplants are watered cold water(No).
Do you believe that houseplants are watered with settled water (yes).
Do you believe that large and smooth leaves of indoor plants are wiped with a piece of soft, damp cloth (yes).
Do you believe that pubescent leaves are cleaned of dust from a spray bottle (no).
Why do indoor plants, despite changes in inanimate nature, still remain green and even bloom with the onset of winter?

As a rule, the owner of a houseplant knows when to water it, how much and how often. But many owners of a beautiful creation of nature do not know about the soil in flower pots. The soil must be selected depending on the individual characteristics of indoor plants. If the plant and soil do not match, the plant may wither, and the soil may become covered with a white shell.

Do I need to change the potting soil?

There is no specific correct answer to this question, but still, more positive opinions are given towards the periodic replacement of soil in pots.

Over time, the earth loses its mineral wealth and becomes incapable of enriching the plant. useful substances. In addition, over time, a white coating appears on the ground. The reason for such a plaque can even be an excess of fertilizers, for example, salt contained in the water that is watered with a houseplant.

Also, plaque can form due to insufficient loosening of the soil cover, that is, the crust in the surface layer of the earth prevents the water from evaporating.

As a rule, it is recommended to change the land once a year, but this period is relative. You need to look at the external state of the earth. The more often watering is done, the shorter the interval between soil replacements. Also, the earth should change as the flower grows, when long roots grow, the soil becomes insufficient for their nutrition, so you need to transplant the flower into a pot of large volumes, respectively, and with a lot of land.

For plants small size it is not recommended to use large pots, they inhibit the growth and development of the plant.

How to replace the soil in potted houseplants?

When replacing the soil, the earth grasped by the roots of the plant remains unchanged. The main land com must remain in place. First you need to carefully remove the flower from the pot along with all the earth, then carefully separate the areas that are not captured by the roots of the earth, as if with soft shaking movements. To fertilize the new land, powdered charcoal is added to it. He has excellent medicinal property- an obstacle to decay. And coal is able to absorb excess moisture from the soil and give it away when the earth becomes overdried. Thanks to coal, the earth has porosity, this helps the roots of the plant to breathe.

Prepared new earth falls asleep at the bottom of the pot, then a flower is placed there with its own clod of earth and the remaining spaces are covered with soil.