Change is the universal law of nature which applies to itself too which means comprehensive elements of nature also require changes for good. Just like all other natural elements soil also needs to be changed (when needed) so that their creation (plants) can grow easily with all the nutrients they demand. The majority of people don’t know and understand the concept of changing the soil of plants when needed. It is Ignored most of the time. But how to know when is the time to change the soil or when the plant is demanding a soil change? In this blog, we are going to discuss
- When to Change the soil
- How to select the correct Soil
- Things to remember while preparing the new Soil
The time to change the soil of pots is considered to be after the rainy season and around February-March. Some plants like rubber and snake plants, don’t require soil change as they grow slowly. Their soil doesn’t need changing for several years due to its quality, which provides them with sufficient nutrients. However, due to soil quality degradation, plants may not receive enough nutrients, leading to stunted growth or lack of development. In such cases, it’s better to change the soil of the plant even if it hasn’t grown much over several months or shows no signs of improvement.
When To Change The Soil
It’s time to change the soil of the pot when…
- The growth of plants appears to be stalled during the growing season.
- No fruits or flowers are appearing.
- Water is draining out of the pot through the holes, indicating over-watering.
- Even after watering the large plant, it still appears wilted.
- The soil might have become waterlogged.
These signs suggest that the current soil in the pot is not providing adequate support or nutrients for the plant’s growth. Changing the soil will help refresh the plant’s environment and encourage healthier development.
How To Select The Correct Soil
When changing the soil of plants, use nutrient-rich soil with good drainage. Over time, when a plant absorbs nutrients from the same medium (soil) for a long time, the soil becomes depleted of nutrients. Additionally, air circulation is not adequate in old soil, causing it to remain moist. Therefore, when replanting the plant in a pot, it is advisable to use soil rich in nutrients and with good drainage to ensure proper nutrient uptake and air circulation.
Things to remember while Preparing Soil
- If the soil is sandy, it will allow ample air to reach the roots of the plants. However, excessively sandy soil quickly loses its moisture and nutrients, so it’s advisable to mix in compost and vermicompost.
- If the soil is clayey, it retains moisture in excess amounts. However, the fine particles of clay tend to stick together, reducing the space for water and air to reach the roots. This impedes the growth of plants and can even lead to their demise. Therefore, it’s recommended to mix sand and organic manure into this type of soil.
- The soil should be moist but not soggy when adding organic manure.
- Avoid using fresh cow dung as manure while preparing the soil, as it can harm the plants and increase the risk of harmful microbes in the soil.
- When preparing the soil, you can also mix flaxseed meal, bone meal, and neem cake powder as excellent sources of nitrogen along with the soil.
These steps will help ensure that the soil is well-balanced and provides the necessary nutrients for healthy plant growth.
Conclusion
The quality of soil is considered one of the most important factors on which the growth of plants is dependent. From starting soil is the only thing that is constantly providing support to the plants. It provides all the important components that a plant needs for its development at all stages of life. This is the reason why the quality of soil matters a lot in the growth and development of plants.
Hope after reading this blog, one can understand how important the role soil plays in the life of a plant is. That is why it is important to give a chance to change the soil when needed. We have discussed all the aspects of changing the soil like what, when, and how. Hope you learned the learnings, so what are you waiting for go have a check on your lovely plants. Keep reading and let’s try to keep our nature safe.