a collective term for various kinds of soil, especially for plants in pots and flower containers
Potting soil is a collective term for different kinds of soil with each their own composition and specific structure, especially for plants in pots and flower containers. Potting soil is lightweight, contrary to for instance the heavier dark garden soil. One of the biggest components of potting soil is peat. Peat is an age-old, natural raw material that has its origins in plant remains. Important property of peat is the absorbing capacity. It doesn’t only quickly absorb moisture, but it also retains it long. And then there are all growth stimulating advantages as well. An other important major component of potting soil can also be coir. Dependent on the use, peat is mixed with products like bark, coir, compost, sand, fertilizers and lime. In this way structure, composition (like an appropriate acidity or pH) and nutrients (the appropriate quantity and composition of the fertilizer or EC) together cause that the plant can root in its ideal soil. A healthy root system creates a better growth and allows the plant to stand sturdy.
The special needs of the plant determine which potting soil you can choose best. Soil structure and nutrients are important. In order to get healthy, strong plants, the potting soil has to satisfy the special needs of the plant. In addition to a good soil structure, there are for example also certain nutrients and lime necessary, to let the plant grow and develop. Nitrogen for example, is necessary for the growth of a plant and iron is necessary for the production of the leafs and the flowering. These two examples are some of the chemical requirements which are drawn up for a potting soil with the RHP Consumer quality mark. On the basis of extensive research, the potting soil producers succeeded in developing a high-quality potting soil for nearly every plant, in the past few years. Because the nutrients, the structure and the composition of the soil have exactly been tuned to the use, the garden fancier can expect good results.
Sowing- and propagating soil
An essential part of qualitatively good sowing- and propagating soil is the right quantity fertilizers and nutrients. Too many nutrients (or salts) are harmful for new roots. The nutrition must be tailored such, that it can't damage new roots. Because of a too high salt content new roots die. One of the natural raw materials which is added to sowing- and propagating soil, is sand. Sand is light and porous. Sowing- and propagating soil doesn't have to retain too much water, because it might cause development of fungus. And of course not too little, otherwise it dries out. A germinating seed and new roots request a balanced composition of potting soil. Sowing- and propagating soil with the RHP Consumer quality mark is fine and not too coarse. Light and airy sowing- and propagating soil provides the seedling/cutting the optimal basis to connect with the potting soil. The germinating of a seed and the development of a new root system asks for the right proportion of air, water and nutrients in the potting soil.
Box soil
The Box is originally used to a limy soil with a high acidity (pH). Box soil with the RHP-quality mark contains a high pH (between 6 and 7). The soil has been improved with extra iron and magnesium lime to give the soil a high pH. The high acidity is a requirement for the Box in order to grow optimally. The specific structure of Box soil with the RHP quality mark provides, that the Box can take up nutrition quickly. The other side of the pH-rich soil is that it becomes impoverished reasonably quick. The right proportion of nutrients and trace elements provides for the needs of the Box. The measure of several nutrient elements in the soil, also called electric conductivity (EC), has been composed such that the nutrients can do their job as well as possible. Beautiful, steady, deep green loafs arise.
Furthermore the Box grows best in light soil. This, in order to avoid damage to the roots as much as possible.
Acidophilic plants
The most famous acidophilic plants are rhododendron, azalea and heather plant. Acidophilic plants can deal best with soils with a low pH (low acidity). Potting soil with the RHP Consumer quality mark suitable for acidophilic plants has been composed on the basis of among others, frozen black peat for a low acidity and a somewhat moist soil. Frozen black peat retains the water longer, through which the soil stays moist and dries less quickly. Furthermore, potting soil contributes for acidophilic plants to a light structure and a rich nutritional value. Main nutrition elements are always nitrogen, phosphor, potassium and trace elements. RHP inspects in the whole chain which natural raw materials are added to the potting soil. By tracking and tracing, potting soil with the RHP Consumer quality mark supplies qualitatively good potting soil tailored to the needs of the plant.
Cactus soil
The cactus is found in warm areas with much light and little precipitation. In addition to light and temperature, the composition of the soil is an important element to stimulate the growth and flowering of the cactus. The cactus is used to barren, mineral lacking soil. Some requirements on cactus soil with the RHP quality mark are:
Cactus soil with the RHP Consumer quality mark is very suitable for the repotting and growth of cactus. This soil has been composed of high-quality natural raw materials (frozen black peat, white peat, clay, river sand). The right proportion of nutrients and trace elements complies with the need of the cactus. Because of tracking & tracing, cactus soil with the RHP Consumer quality mark supplies qualitatively good potting soil tailored to the need of the cactus.
Rose, fern and anthurium
For the group of plants mentioned above, the soil has to be extra nutritious. Soil with the RHP quality mark suitable for roses, ferns and anthuriums among others supplies a fertile soil as a rich basis. In addition to that, these plants grow best in a potting soil mixture with a somewhat more coarse structure, because it stimulates a full root system more quickly. Roses, ferns and anthuriums need much water. A water deficiency exists earlier than a nutrition deficiency. The soil doesn’t need to be too rich in lime, but definitely not too acid (lower pH, pH = acidity).
