5 Plants to Grow in Low pH Soil
pH levels are a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a specific substance. The pH scale ranges from 0 to 14, with 0 being extremely acidic, 14 being extremely alkaline, and 7 being neutral. Most plants thrive in soil with a pH between 6 and 7, which is on the neutral side of the spectrum. However, some plants have unique growing requirements that require you to amend your soil accordingly. In order to make House Plant Gardening sure that your plants are getting the best soil for their needs, you should test your soil regularly for any nutrient imbalances or other irregularities. If you discover that your soil is too alkaline or too acidic, there are plenty of ways to correct it – by adding the right kind of plant nutrients. Some plants prefer acidic soil while others prefer alkaline conditions; knowing which camp your plant falls into can help you better understand how to amend its soil
What Causes Low pH?
The pH level of your soil is largely determined by the types of
minerals found within it. In general, soils composed of more clay minerals will
have a higher pH (be more alkaline), while soils composed of more sand minerals
will have a lower pH (be more acidic). Individual plants also have their own pH
requirements, which may be due to all sorts of physiological reasons. For
example, certain plants have evolved with a mechanism that allows them to take
up more nitrogen from the soil, but that same mechanism has the unfortunate
side effect of making them less able to tolerate soil that is too alkaline. If
you want to know what the pH level of your soil is, you can send a sample to a
lab for analysis. Alternatively, you can use a tool like a soil pH tester to
measure the pH level at home.
Alkaline Soil
If your soil is too alkaline, it means that it has an excess of
basic minerals like potassium, calcium, and magnesium. Alkaline soils are
typically high in pH, with a pH above 7.0. However, some soils with a lower pH
(below 7.0) can also be alkaline. Highly alkaline soil is usually a result of
one of two things: high levels of minerals in the soil, or water that is too
alkaline. Soils that contain high levels of minerals are usually naturally
alkaline. For example, soils containing large amounts of limestone, which is
alkaline, are typically alkaline. Most plants will naturally prefer slightly
acidic soil, although there are some plants that thrive in alkaline soil. Those
plants that prefer alkaline soil include: - Blueberries - Buckwheat - Cacao -
Coffee - Hops - Mugo pine - Orchard grass - Pistachios - Potatoes - Raspberries
- Rosemary - Sage - Sunflowers - Tea - Walnuts - Yucca
Alfa-Red Plants
Alfa-red plants are those that naturally accumulate iron in
their leaves. While iron is essential for plant health, too much iron in the
soil can result in soil that is too alkaline. The best way to deal with this is
to add iron chelates to the soil. - Alfalfa - Beans - Corn - Cotton - Peanuts -
Potatoes - Sugarcane - Alfalfa is the poster child for the alfalfa genus. It
has been fed to livestock for centuries due to its high nutritional value. It
is also cultivated as an important commercial feedstock.
Bromeliads
Bromeliads are diverse species of plants that grow in a wide
variety of soils. However, if your soil is too alkaline, you can grow
bromeliads successfully by adding organic matter to the soil and adding a
mineral supplement like iron chelate.
Orchids
Orchids prefer slightly acidic soil, but there are some species
that do better in alkaline soil. You can grow orchids in alkaline soil by
adding organic matter to the soil and adding a mineral supplement like iron
chelate.
Ferns and other Foliage Plants
Foliage plants prefer slightly acidic soil, with a pH between 6
and 7. If your soil is too alkaline, you can amend it by adding organic matter
to the soil.
Conclusion
When choosing plants for your
garden, be aware of their pH requirements. If your soil has a different pH
level, you can correct it by adding the appropriate amount of fertilizer, peat
moss or other materials. If your soil pH levels are out of balance, testing and
adjusting as needed will help ensure your plants thrive.
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