Why do flowers smell? Unpleasant smell after watering The earth in a pot smells like a swamp

When to Water

Irrigation errors occur quite often. Many novice flower growers, having overestimated the necessary need of a plant for moisture, act with the slogan: "More, not less", while being surprised that they, nevertheless, do not grow well. But the plants themselves are the best way to tell us when they need watering. Our business consists only in the ability to notice it.

Soil sample by pressing the index finger so that it plunges into the soil to a depth of about 1 cm, you will feel whether it is still wet enough.

Watering should be done only when most of the moisture contained in the soil has been used up. But do not wait for typical signals to appear, indicating a lack of moisture. When the soil dries up so much that it moves away from the walls of the dishes, then, when watering, the water instantly pours out of the pot and practically does not have time to be absorbed by the soil and an insignificant part of it reaches the roots. To prevent this, try to check the soil for moisture as often as possible. The easiest way to do this is to test the potting soil with your finger. You should press with your index or thumb until it sinks into the soil to a depth of about one centimeter. If you feel that the soil is still quite wet under the dry top layer, do not rush to pick up a watering can.

You can also lift the pot when the size of the plant allows it, and estimate its weight. If there is little moisture in the soil, then the pot will be noticeably light. In this way, the water content of the entire soil can be checked, not just the surface layer. This method is particularly suitable for plastic pots due to their low weight. When it comes to clay pots, you should pay attention to their walls: their dark red color indicates sufficient moisture content in the soil. With dry soil, the walls of the pot become light yellow.

It is still possible to determine soil moisture using the so-called "tapping method", however, it requires some experience. To do this, take the pot in your hand and knock on it with a wooden stick, pencil or fingernail. If the soil in it is wet, then the sound will be rather deaf, if the ground is dry, it will be more sonorous.

There are no general rules for watering and each plant needs its own regime, but, simply, depending on the needs of specific plant species for moisture, watering by intensity can be divided into:

Abundant watering.

Plants are watered immediately after the earthen clod dries. Similar watering is required for most tropical plants with thin and delicate leaves (begonia, allocasia, heliotrope, fittonia), as well as some of the plants with leathery leaves (ficus, lemon, ivy, oleander)

Moderate watering.

Plants are watered one or two days after the earthen coma dries out. These include plants with fleshy or heavily pubescent stems and leaves (columnea, peperomia), with thick roots and rhizomes (dracaena, palms, aroids, aspidistra), as well as those with water-bearing tubers on the roots (chlorophytum, asparagus, arrowroot) and bulbous. For some plant species, light drying is a prerequisite during the dormant period, as it stimulates the laying and maturation of flower buds (clivia, zygocactus).

Rare watering.

Plants stay dry for days, weeks or even months. These include cacti and succulents, as well as deciduous tuberous and bulbous plants that need a dormant period (gloxinia, krinum, caladium, hippeastrum).

Signs of under or over watering

With excessive watering, the ends of the leaves turn brown with pronounced yellowing.

By a number of signs, it is quite easy to recognize when plants are clearly suffering from a lack of moisture. The soil dries up and moves away from the walls of the pot, leaves droop in tree-like plants, and in herbaceous plants, not only leaves, but even the trunk itself. Other signs can tell us that although the plant is watered fairly regularly, it still does not receive the amount of water it needs - the leaves fade, their tips and edges turn brown, the flowers and buds fall off.

When watering with cold water, yellowish-gray spots may appear on the leaves of Saintpaulia.

Excessive watering can also cause root rot, the consequences of which can be the saddest. When the roots rot, water stops flowing to the plant, as a result of which it behaves in the same way as with a lack of moisture. Therefore, if the plant has drooped, first of all it is necessary to check the soil moisture, and if it turns out to be damp, try to carefully remove the plant from the pot.

The easiest way to do this is by "shaking" it out of the pot, while turning it "upside down" and holding the pot with one hand and the ground with the other so that it does not crumble much. If the earth lump, nevertheless, does not simply separate from the pot, then you need to carefully tap the pot on the edge of the table. After removing the plant from the pot, carefully inspect its roots. They should be light or even white at the tips. If they are brown and smell of rot, then, in this case, it is necessary to cut off the affected areas and transplant the plant into fresh soil.

Irrigation Disturbances
Signs of lack of water:	Signs of excess water:
Drooping leaves, loss of turgor by leaves and shoots. Flowers and buds quickly wither or even fall off. In plants with tender and soft leaves (Vanka wet), they become lethargic and fall. In plants with leathery and hard leaves (laurel, ficus, myrtle oleander, etc.), they dry out and begin to crumble (old leaves fall first)	Leaf drooping, with soft spots present with signs of rot. Yellowed, curled and withered, with brown tips, leaves. Growth retardation Mold on flowers. Both old and young leaves fall off.

Flowers are the embodiment of beauty, tenderness, fragility; each flower is unique, not like the others. Although everyone has their own preferences when choosing fragrances, you can hardly find a person who would not like the smells of fragrant flowers. It is difficult to find something more beautiful in the world. Why do flowers smell?

These gentle creations of nature smell thanks to essential oils, or rather, the ones they contain. phytoncides - special substances that are contained in the cells of the petals or in the perianth, and in some plants are produced by special glands. These volatile substances play an important role in plant life. First of all, they contribute to the flow of metabolic processes in plant organisms. When released, essential oils evaporate immediately, enveloping the plant in a fragrant cloud. This veil protects the plant from overheating during the day and from hypothermia at night.

The smell of flowers attracts various insects for pollination. Each species of flowering plant adapts to its pollinators. For example, flowers pollinated by moths and night mice open only at night and have a very strong smell.

Predatory plants use scent to lure prey. Essential oils prevent infection of plant organisms by harmful fungi and bacteria. The smell of some flowers repels herbivores and prevents them from being eaten. Therefore, livestock bypasses sharp-smelling grasses. Thus, the smell allows plants to win in the competitive struggle for existence.

It has been noted that plants with a light color of their flowers have the most fragrant odors. Most often, their petals are white or light yellow. And vice versa: plants with bright, variegated flowers have a less pronounced smell.

Since ancient times, people have discovered the unique properties of essential oils. Currently, they are widely used in medicine, aromatherapy, perfumery, for flavoring drinks and foods, in household chemicals, and also as solvents. For example, the aroma of bergamot fruit is an effective remedy for depression and difficult mental states. Everyone's favorite roses have similar properties. Jasmine, iris, violet, citrus fruits also increase vitality.

The fumes of some plants are poisonous, which must be taken into account when decorating the interior of the house. For this reason, it is not recommended to keep plants of the aroid family in the room: monstera, dieffenbachia, spathiphyllum (popularly called “female happiness”), etc. On the contrary, oils of geranium, chlorophytum, begonias, orchids purify the air and calm the nervous system.

Scientists have calculated that all the plants in the world release from 100 to 150 million tons of aromas into the atmosphere every year.

In addition to the pleasure of inhaling the aroma, “communication” with flowers also gives aesthetic pleasure. In Japan, for example, girls from an early age must be taught the art of making bouquets.

Flowers are the best gift for any girl or woman. When they give her a bouquet, they usually express their warm feelings with this, as if they say that she is just as beautiful. Many cultures even developed a language of flowers. A presented bouquet can tell a lot without words, depending on how many flowers it contains, what color and variety they are.

Flowers are a wonderful creation of nature, in addition to their pleasant appearance, they have their own and unique aroma. With the help of smells, flowers attract insects for pollination, helping them to subsequently produce seeds. The fragrance can also serve as a warning to insects and animals. Few people wonder why flowers smell. The fragrance of each flower originates inside the buds and spreads around due to sunlight - when the flower opens. In other words, the smell comes from the essential oils inside the flower.

The process of creating a smell is actually very simple: the evaporation of oil from exposure to temperature. A lot of flowers smell really nice, drawing attention not only by their appearance, but also by the creation of fragrance in the air.

The smell of flowers conquered even such a baby

It is rather difficult to explain why the fragrance of flowers is felt at a distance, because the plant itself does not move. There is an opinion that it is insects that spread the fragrance of flowers over a long distance, since the flower itself cannot do this. However, this is not connected in any way, insects only collect pollen and carry nectar, which subsequently has a beneficial effect on plant reproduction.

In flowering plants, there are aroma molecules, which, under a certain external influence of temperatures, dissolve in the environment and are carried through the air due to diffusion processes. It is these molecules that give a person a unique sensation of the fragrant aroma of flowers. Molecules, reaching the nasal receptors, allow you to feel the whole range of shades of smell, enclosed in a single bouquet of floral aroma.

Shades of floral fragrances

The aroma of flowering plants depends almost entirely on which insect pollinates the flower. For example, if the main insect is a fly, then the smell will be rotting, actually cadaverous. Such flowers are predominantly predatory, luring flies with their smell, feed on them, for example

The most fetid flower in the world Amorphophallus titanic / Amorphophallus titanum

The appearance of a flower almost always directly corresponds to its aroma. But there are also pleasant-looking flowers that smell just disgusting. This mechanism is similar to an animal: a plant protects itself with a strong and unpleasant aroma, as some reptiles have an aggressive color, while being harmless. Likewise, flowers with a strong fragrance often do no harm.

It is worth noting that especially fragrant flowers usually have a white or yellow color. And brighter ones, on the contrary, have a mild aroma.

The smell is felt when combining essential oils into a single bouquet of aromas when exposed to sunlight. Flowers can be called nature spirits.

Why do flowers smell and what does it depend on? Summary »

• the smell is necessary to attract insects, as well as repel herbivores and pests;
• the aroma appears due to the essential oils contained in the plant;
• the smell of the plant depends on the color.

The fragrance of a flower is necessary for life, because without it there would be no pollination and reproduction.

The most fragrant flowers - top - 15

Flowering plants undoubtedly attract attention with their beauty, spectrum of shades and unique aromas. There are many different colors all over the world, each of which really smells different. There is even a kind of top 15, which contains the most fragrant flowers in the world.

plumeria

The most fragrant exotic flower - plumeria

This exotic flower grows in the tropics, preferring islands in the ocean and near the Caribbean Sea. The shades of these beautiful flowers are truly unique. There are a wide variety: from soft pink to passionate red, from faded white to bright yellow. Only the core of the golden color is unchanged.

Plumeria smells distinctly of the tropics - a juicy floral aroma with fruity inclusions, and releases its fragrance closer to dusk. And it is considered immortal, because the flower does not burn in a hot fire, and is also able to be reborn even from its leaves. But, despite the attractive external beauty and aroma, plumeria is poisonous. In the conditions of the Russian climate, it is grown as a houseplant.

Alyssum

Sweet Alyssum also has other names - mason and beetroot. An annual flower that blooms all summer. The fragrance of this baby is incredibly long-lasting and, as the name suggests, suffocatingly sweet. Unpretentious in care, perfectly decorate or

Black kosmeya

Black kosmeya, flower with vanilla and chocolate aroma

It grows in Mexico, and due to its unique color it is called chocolate cosmos. The flowers of the Black Cosmos are reddish-brown, and the persistent aroma is associated with vanilla. And again, the innocent appearance is deceptive - the plant is poisonous, and the inviting smell just attracts insects. Moreover, the aroma intensifies along with the temperature: the hotter, the stronger the flower smells.

Wisteria

Wisteria profusely flowering

Wisteria grows in southern latitudes, and blooms in clusters hanging like grapes. The petals are white-purple, and the sweet fragrance is said to be a harbinger of spring. Cultivated plant species are more adapted to the Russian climate, for example, Blue Moon wisteria can withstand fairly low temperatures in winter.

Sweet pea

Sweet pea

The perennial plant Sweet Pea has an extensive range of flowers, and the aroma is so persistent that it is difficult to forget it. At the same time, it is completely unobtrusive. Unfortunately, this plant is also slightly poisonous.

lilies of the valley

Small white flowers have a wonderful tart smell, as if cool. The plant is perennial and fairly easy to care for in the garden. At the same time, the fragrant aroma is not intrusive and creates a pleasant atmosphere, which is why the flower is often grown in gardens.

Gardenia

Gardenia jasmine

Gardenia blooms almost every year, but is a very capricious plant. However, its atypical, rich and sweet aroma is worth all the effort. After all, the silky smell of gardenia even served as inspiration for a line of perfumes from Chanel and Jacobs.

night beauty

Night beauty will delight you with her fragrance in the evening

An interesting flower that opens only in the afternoon, contrary to the usual saying that flowers reach for the sun. The British even called it "the flower of the four hours."

The night beauty lives up to its name in the color scheme. Hues of purple, yellow and white flowers, coupled with a strong aroma, give the plant a special charm.

Jasmine

Mock orange or garden jasmine

Grows in warm climates. Jasmine is known all over the world, its white flowers smell delicate and sweet. Essential oils based on this plant are widely used in cosmetology and aromatherapy. Dried flowers are even used to make jasmine tea.

The peculiarity of the flower is that the root system of the plant is poisonous, and the buds smell much stronger than flowers. And the aroma can be felt only after sunset.

In the Moscow region, mock orange or garden jasmine are successfully grown.

Narcissus

Bright yellow flowers attract attention. And the aroma of narcissus is incredibly strong. The sweet smell with bitterness literally intoxicates, because it is not for nothing that the flower bears the name of a narcissistic young man.

Mimosa

Delicate mimosa balls exude an unforgettable aroma

Beautiful yellow balls attract attention with their appearance even before the smell is felt. And the aroma of mimosa flowers is unusual: sweet, combining honey and the bitterness of wood. It is not for nothing that the smell of mimosa is associated with late spring.

Hyacinth

Hyacinth - fragrant spring flower

A delicate white-lilac flower is not in vain considered a symbol of happiness. So its honey aroma intoxicates the head and excites, bringing a person into a state of bliss. The bright smell is not forgotten and not confused even after a while.

lilies

Lily "purple rain" Asian hybrid

Lily is truly recognized as a royal flower with its sophisticated and noble appearance. The aroma of the lily is thick and sweet, like balsamic. And the floral notes add a wonderful charm to the plant.

Tuberose

Tuberose

Snow-white flowers, despite their innocent appearance, are a symbol of forbidden passion. The aroma of the flower is unusually intense, sweet and heavy. It intoxicates and conquers, and the essential oil of this plant, thanks to the aroma, is one of the most expensive.

Rose

Musk rose grade "Guirlande d'Amour"

The list is completed by the queen of all flowers - a rose. Roses, as a rule, are incredibly beautiful and have an extensive range. Surprisingly, even the aroma of each species is different. But one thing is invariable - the sweet aroma of roses is always extraordinarily captivating.

And, of course, these are just the top lines. In the world there are an incalculable number of beautifully smelling flowers, which seem to be designed to please people.

The fragrance of flowers has a great influence on people. The aroma of rose bushes uplifts the mood, driving away sad thoughts and dispelling stress. Not to mention the fact that roses are certainly associated with love. The smell of jasmine has a beneficial effect on concentration and performance, and bergamot seems to encourage. And the heat of the summer months perfectly smooths out the aroma of snow-white magnolias. Thus, flowers are not only a wonderful decoration of the garden, but also saturate the air with their aromas.

Incredible Facts

We have many good memories associated with fragrances, and garden flowers are one of the sources of such memories.

You can remember the sweet scent of grandma's roses that grew on the facade. Or beautiful white magnolias in the summer heat.

And what about the intoxicating aroma of tropical flowers that surround us during exotic travels?

Flowers are admired for their beauty, exquisite shapes and an endless range of different shades, but there are those that are most loved for their unique fragrance.

There are lovers who even plan entire gardens so that they can constantly admire such flowers at home.

1.Fragrance of plumeria flower

Homeland plumeria in the warm tropical islands of the Pacific Ocean, the Caribbean, as well as in South America and Mexico.

© Aloha_Mahalo / pixabay

These beautiful flowers in shades of pink, red, yellow and white, and in the center they look like a kiss of golden color. Plumeria has a distinct tropical the aroma that is most felt in the evening, and the flowering of this plant has a charming addition.

Plumeria grows in large shrubs and even to small trees, with long, thick leaves at the tips of the branches. plumeria flowers contain poison which can cause skin irritation in humans. Plumeria trunks are used to make musical instruments, utensils and furniture.

Interesting Facts:

• The plumeria is the national symbol of Nicaragua and is featured on some banknotes.
• plumeria flower will not burn at temperatures below 500 C.
• In modern Polynesian culture, plumeria is worn by women. , which want to indicate their marital status - above the right ear, if looking for a soul mate, and above the left, if already busy or married.
• In India, the plumeria is a symbol of immortality, due to its ability to produce leaves and flowers, even after being taken from the soil. It is often planted near temples and cemeteries, where fresh flowers fall daily on graves.

2. Sweet Alyssum flower fragrance

The sweet alyssum flower is also called alyssum or rockwort. He is a simple annual, the seeds of which grow in the spring after the snow melts. Sweet allisum blooms from early spring to autumn. The flower itself will produce seeds and grow next year in the same place.

© AKIsPalette / Getty Images

Sweet alyssum is a dense bouquet of small flowers. Little effort and minimal cost will give your garden or apartment a unique aroma.

Interesting fact! After the flower is pollinated by insects, the perianth falls off the plants, and the flower becomes unattractive. In most plants, but not the sweet alyssum. Flower petals with already set fruits do not fall off, but, on the contrary, increase in size, attracting insects to the remaining blooming flowers.

3. Aroma of a flower chocolate cosmos

Chocolate Cosmos is also called Black Cosmos or Blood Red Cosmos.

© kudou / Getty Images

Chocolate lovers will love this flower. Chocolate Cosmos has unique reddish brown petals that give off a light vanilla flavor, reminiscent of chocolates. However, you should know that the alluring smell of this flower is deceptive, because in fact it is poisonous.

Native to Mexico, chocolate cosmos is a herbaceous perennial in warm climates, and an annual in cold climates. This flower loves sunlight and grows up to 91 cm tall.

Gardeners advise immediately planting six to eight bushes in order to fully enjoy the spectacular aroma. Wherein, the higher the air temperature, the stronger the aroma becomes chocolate space.

Interesting fact! It is believed that chocolate cosmea grew in ancient times in Mexico. Its chocolate aroma attracted people, the flowers were plucked and the plant died. In nature, chocolate cosmea is difficult to germinate, therefore, she did not have time to recreate herself. After all, at the beginning of the twentieth century in Mexico There is only one bush of this plant left.

Fortunately, scientists came to the conclusion in time that if urgent measures are not taken, then people will already will never be able to admire these beautiful flowers again. In 1902 from a single bush botanists received seeds and artificially planted cosmea in Mexican fields.

This is how it happened that all chocolate cosmos in the world have one common ancestor. Botanical scientists are very proud of their achievement, which is why this flower is often presented in scientific cases dedicated to the conservation of botanical genetic diversity.

4. Scent of wisteria flower

In the southern latitudes of the Earth, true a sign of spring if the sweet smell of wisteria blows in the air. Huge, profusely blooming in clusters, wisteria resembles grapes. For some varieties such clusters can grow up to 92 cm long.

© bonottomario / Getty Images

Wisteria has purple or white shades of petals, and the petals themselves fall after full flowering for only a few days. Before the petals fall, it is better to leave all your affairs and enjoy this beauty to the fullest.

True connoisseurs of wisteria are very fond of the aroma of its flowers, but no less appreciate the beauty of the vine of this tree outside of flowering. Wisteria winds its branches in a horizontal position, or around various structures: lattices, pillars, houses. This is wood is widely used in landscape design, decorating the facades of houses.

Interesting fact! The world's largest wisteria grows in the Sierra Madre, California. It covers 4000 sq. m and weighs 250 tons. The length of the branches is 152 m. In one year, 1.5 million flowers bloom on this wisteria.

5. Sweet Pea Flower Aroma

Known for flowers with intense fragrance, sweet peas have been cultivated for over 300 years. Its flowers come in a variety of shades from red, pink and white to combinations thereof.

© aga7ta / Getty Images

Sweet pea grows up to 1.8 m in height. It is planted in autumn if the winters in this climate zone are mild, otherwise sweet peas are planted in early spring.

The aroma of this flower can be enjoyed all spring, although the sweet pea endures the summer heat with firmness. However, there are varieties that give no flavor at all.

Interesting Facts:

• Sweet Pea grows in a very wide range of colors, but not in yellow.
• Sweet peas are not edible and are slightly poisonous.
• Studies have shown that a fresh bouquet of these flowers in the house improves well-being, increases libido, both in men and women, reduces the effects of a hangover.

6. Aroma of lily of the valley flower

Lilies of the valley are tiny white or pink bell-shaped flowers with a bouquet of wonderful fragrance.

© Yulia Korneva / Getty Images

Tough, but fragile-looking lilies of the valley are easy to care for. You can even plant them at home. and enjoy the fragrant smell for several years. It is a perennial plant and reproduces quickly, so fences are placed to limit overgrowth.

Small lily of the valley flowers grow on top of a slender stem, surrounded by broad, glossy green leaves.

Interesting Facts:

• In many nations, lily of the valley personifies purity, tenderness, fidelity and love.
• It is the national symbol of Finland.
• Lily of the valley is part of the symbols of the state of Massachusetts (USA). The ancient Indians living in this territory worshiped the flower as a gift from the gods.
• The lily-of-the-valley adorns the coat of arms of one of the districts of Moscow, Kurkino, nicknamed the local Switzerland for its unique climate and rare plants.
• In France, they organize an annual folk festival in honor of the lily of the valley. If a girl and a boy exchange bouquets of these fragrant flowers, then this means declaration of love to each other.

7. Scent of Gardenia flower

A classic evergreen gardenia shrub with thick, white and waxy flowers that give off a heady aroma. Gardenia was named after the physician and botanist Alexander Garden.

This flower with a complex fragrance, serving as inspiration for spirits, such as Chanel Gardenia (Chanel's Gardenia) and Marc Jacobs (Marc Jacobs Eau de Perfume).

© ouchi_iro / Getty Images

Gardenia reaches up to 2.4 m in height. She loves mineral-rich soil, lots of light and moisture. Gardenia is susceptible to aphids, mealybugs, mites and whiteflies. This is a somewhat capricious flower in terms of care, but its rich, sweet flavor is definitely worth the effort.

Interesting Facts:

• There is in the world 140 species of gardenia.
• This flower symbolizes secret love, purity, joy and beauty.
• Gardenias are worn by men as boutonnieres (flowers in the buttonhole of a suit) in France.

8. Flower fragrance night beauty

The English name for this flower is four hours (Four o "clocks).

© Abu Naser Ador/Getty Images

The name of the flower night beauty speaks of its specificity: the funnel-shaped flower of this perennial shrub opens in the afternoon, when the temperature begins to drop and stays open all night.

It is best to plant these flowers in the yard where you can fully enjoy the strong aroma in the evening. A night beauty in purple, yellow or white will add a special charm to your garden.

It begins to bloom in the middle of summer, continuing to amaze with its beauty until frost. Night beauty is beautiful feels both in the sun and in the shade, growing up to 1.2 m in height.

Interesting Facts:

• Night beauty (lat. Mirabilis Yalapa), where "mirabilis" from Latin means amazing.

• One of the main distinguishing features of the night beauty is that you can often see on one plant flowers of various shades.
• In the Krasnodar Territory, this flower is called a dawn.

9. Jasmine flower scent

The rich and sweet scent of white or yellow jasmine has made it a very popular flower throughout the world. Jasmine is native to tropical and warm countries. Its essential oils are used in perfumery and aromatherapy.

© G0d4ather / Getty Images

These flowers are closely related to the olive family. There are over 200 different types of jasmine. These woody plants can grow up to 4.6 m in height.

Jasmine is valued for its shiny green leaves and soft, delicate, wonderfully scented flowers. Its flowers are the source rose oil, which is used in many perfumes. From dried flowers Arabian jasmine is made into a tea.

Interesting Facts:

• Jasmine blooms in spring or summer.
• Being already six months old, jasmine releases its fragrance at night after sunset.
• Jasmine buds are more fragrant than flowers.
• Two types of this flower use for oil production.
• The dried roots of some jasmine species are used in medicines, although they are poisonous.

10. Rose flower scent

Perhaps the aroma of many modern varieties of roses grown by florists is no longer the same as compared to old-fashioned garden roses.

Roses are decorated with strict petals of various colors. Garden roses of incredible beauty with various fragrances, usually with white or pastel flowers.

© Kseniia Perminova

Modern flowers are prized for their rich colors and luxurious shapes with a subtle fragrance that varies with species. Successful growing of roses requires a lot of sunlight they often need to be trimmed and fertilized, but the effort is well worth the beauty and heady scent.

Interesting Facts:

• Excavations in Colorado (USA), discovered a rose, which about 35 million years.
• Roses can be used to show feelings and emotions. Red roses give in order to show a romantic mood, love or passion. Yellow roses give to express sympathy, happiness or love. Pink Flowers are given to show a friendly attitude towards another person.
• Sometimes you can hear the term "black rose", but in fact black roses do not exist. These are actually called dark red colors that look dark and gloomy.

More 80% land in Zambia (South Africa), busy growing these flowers.

Beginning flower growers sooner or later face the problem of a whitened substrate layer in a pot, and this often causes a feeling of concern for houseplants. In fact, this condition of the soil is not a serious problem that can greatly harm the plant, but the accompanying factors are dangerous. Today we will take a closer look at the causes of white bloom and analyze how to deal with this problem and what to do in the future to prevent this condition of the substrate from happening again.

Problems with soil in a pot

Very often, indoor flowers die due to improper care, which primarily affects the substrate and thereby harms the roots of the plant.

White coating on the surface

When the substrate turns white in a flower pot, this is a sign that the plant is not properly cared for, therefore, first of all, it is necessary to identify the factors that caused the problem.
Reasons for the appearance

There are several reasons for the appearance of a whitened substrate, among them are:

• Too frequent watering- salts appear on the surface of the soil due to the active evaporation of water.
• Irregular poor watering– salts can accumulate on the soil surface. In this case, the bottom layer of soil in the pot is petrified, and the water moistens only the top layer of the substrate, which causes a white coating.
• Insufficient air humidity causes the liquid that has entered the flower pot to evaporate intensively - in this case, salts actively accumulate on the upper layer of the substrate. The soil becomes saline, which affects the normal development of plants.
• Too much fertilizer. If the flowers are fertilized very often or the concentration of fertilizing is too high, the substrate may become covered with a white crust.
• Incorrectly selected substrate for growing indoor flowers. When purchasing it in a store, pay attention to the label. There are cases of buying a universal substrate that is used for growing seedlings. Such soil is specially treated with numerous top dressings in order to stimulate the rapid growth of seeds. In this regard, a white coating begins to form on the surface, and this can adversely affect the health of indoor flowers.
• Non-compliance with the ratio of the volume of the pot to the size of the plant. As you know, experienced flower growers recommend choosing the size of the pot so that it is only slightly larger than the plant that will be planted in it. If you neglect this rule and purchase a large pot, fill it with a lot of substrate and plant a small plant, then its roots will not be able to absorb the moisture that will be introduced into the soil. Thus, with active evaporation of the liquid, the surface will quickly become covered with a white coating.

There are several options for dealing with white bloom on the soil in flower pots. You need to choose the most suitable method according to the cause of this problem.

To make plaque on the substrate form more slowly and be almost invisible, it is recommended to sprinkle it with expanded clay on top.

It is worth considering the fact that after a certain time, white plaque can also settle on expanded clay: in this case, the upper drainage is removed, washed well and put back into the pot.

There is another option to deal with the problem - river sand is used for this. It is poured over the substrate and the soil is well loosened with a wooden stick. Such manipulation will not only avoid the appearance of white plaque on the substrate, but will also be useful to the roots.

The fastest and easiest way is to remove the top layer of the substrate with whitened earth, and fresh soil is filled in instead.
If you have established that the reason for the appearance of a white coating on the ground is the dryness of the air in the room, it is recommended to place the pot on a pallet with expanded clay, which is regularly sprayed with water from a spray bottle. This way you will create the necessary moisture around the pot and prevent the problem from developing.

Mold in pots

Often the appearance of white plaque is associated with a biological cause - the development of fungal spores and the appearance of mold on the substrate. This situation is provoked by improper flower care or the influence of other negative environmental factors.

Did you know? Mold is one of the most ancient living organisms on the planet: it appeared more than 200 million years ago. During its existence, the mold has been able to adapt to the most difficult natural conditions and survive on glaciers, in radioactive zones and in outer space.

Often the first mold appears in the place where the soil and the pot come into contact. The effect of such an interaction is characterized by a white or brownish coating, which spreads with great speed. If you do not fight the cause of the development of this problem, the air is saturated with a large number of spores of the fungus, and after a while rapidly developing colonies of fungi form, and the flower dies.

Reasons for the appearance

In most cases, the occurrence of mold in a pot is the result of any negative factors affecting the substrate.

In this case, there are several reasons for the development of mold:

1. Excessive watering and stagnation of liquid in the substrate. As a result of constant waterlogging, spores of the fungus quickly develop, and mold forms.
2. Low temperature and high humidity in the room is a favorable environment for the development of the fungus.
3. Regular watering of the soil with cold water.
4. Neglecting drainage or improper use of it leads to clogging of the holes in the pot and provokes stagnation of water in the soil, which causes the spread of fungus.
5. Use of soil already infected with mold spores for planting flowers.

Important! Often, the fungus develops in poorly ventilated rooms in the spring and autumn, when the air humidity is high, the apartment is cold, and the evaporation of moisture from the soil is minimal.

Often the reason for the development of mold in a pot is excessive watering and humidity, so if fungal foci have been noticed in the substrate, it is necessary first of all to correct the watering schedule. To do this, the frequency of irrigation is reduced and the volume of liquid is reduced.

If the flower requires rare but abundant watering, it is necessary to loosen the substrate with a wooden stick after each soil moistening, to the maximum depth, reaching the drainage.

When loosening, you must act very carefully so as not to damage the roots.

In order to protect the flower from damage and remove mold from the pot, it is recommended to do the following manipulations:

1. Scrape off the outer part of the substrate affected by the fungus. This manipulation must be done immediately, as soon as the first foci of mold are found. If you delay the removal, then the infection will begin to penetrate into the inner layer of the soil, which will provoke decay and death of the plant.
2. Treat the bottom layer of the substrate with acidic water. To do this, a teaspoon of citric acid is dissolved in a glass of water. Thanks to such a liquid, the spores of the fungus will not multiply and will soon die.
3. Fill the missing part of the substrate in the pot with new soil, to which add bactericidal agents designed specifically to resist fungi. For this, charcoal, crushed into small pieces, or sphagnum is suitable.
4. After the done manipulations, the substrate is watered with a solution of "Fundazol" (1 liter of water and 2 g of the agent). If mold has struck a flower, it is also treated with this solution from a spray bottle.

Treat the bottom layer of the substrate with citric acid

If you notice that the mold has spread to the lower layers of the substrate, you can try to save the flower by transplanting it. To do this, carefully remove it from the pot, thoroughly clean the roots of the substrate. Next, plant the flower in the usual way.

Some growers use chemicals that are designed to fight mold, you can learn more about them in a specialized store.

Important! When choosing such products, you must carefully read the label on the drug to make sure that it does not harm the plant.

Midges in the ground

Often, indoor flowers are affected by midges, which appear as a result of non-compliance with the rules of care. The most common are sciarids - flower midges, which focus both on the soil and on the green part of the plant. They do not harm the flower, but their larvae can cause severe damage - affect growth, lead to wilting of leaves and flowers.
Reasons for the appearance

Among the main causes of midges are:

1. Excessive watering of plants. Constantly waterlogged soil is an ideal place for the life and reproduction of midges.
2. The infestation of the land that was purchased for plant transplantation.
3. Watering the flower with liquids that are not intended for these purposes. For example, some housewives prefer to water indoor plants with tea leaves, which sometimes cause pest damage.

There are several effective methods that can cope with pests. These include: physical, chemical and folk.

Physical pest control methods include:

• replanting in new soil. To do this, the flower is carefully removed from the pot, the roots are cleaned of infected soil, and transplanted in the usual way, taking into account all the features of the plant;

Important! The pot in which the flower was located must be washed well with soapy water and poured over with boiling water.

• partial replacement of the substrate. If there are not many midges, you can remove them by replacing the topsoil. To do this, it is carefully scraped off and thrown away, and the voids are covered with fresh substrate.

Chemicals for the destruction of pests are purchased in specialized stores. Using these tools is quite simple, and they quickly cope with the task. Such drugs are presented in the form of "Flycat", "Agravertin",. They must be used in accordance with the instructions on the label.

Among folk remedies in the fight against midges, the use of:

• potassium permanganate solution. To do this, a liter of water is diluted - at the tip of a knife, so that the liquid turns a light pink hue. Water the flower with the resulting mixture once every 5 days and spray it regularly with a spray bottle;
• improvised means. These include tobacco, garlic or orange peel, which are distributed over the surface of the substrate. Such products, due to the smell, repel midges and do not allow them to exist normally.

VIDEO: HOW TO GET RID OF MIDS WITH CINNAMON

Unpleasant smell from the soil in the flower pot

Sometimes it happens that the soil in the pot begins to smell unpleasant - this is a sign of acidification of the substrate and the beginning of the process of decay of the root system of the flower. This problem is directly related to improper care, and in order to save the plant, you must act immediately, as soon as you notice the first signs of souring.

Reasons for the appearance

Among the most common causes of acidification of the soil are the following:

1. Untimely transplantation of a plant from the substrate in which it was purchased at a flower shop. Such soil is too moisture-intensive and often causes the plant to rot.
2. Growth in heavy clay soil, which is not suitable for this plant and provokes its decay.
3. Excessive regular watering, especially during the winter, or moving the flower to a dark, cold place.
4. No drainage or drainage holes.
5. The size of the pot does not match the size of the plant.

Due to acidification of the soil, the risk of complete death of the plant is very high, therefore, in order to save it, it is necessary to remove the flower from the pot and inspect the root system. If the roots are not damaged, then the earth ball is wrapped in a newspaper or a special absorbent material in several layers. The plant is placed in a warm place, away from direct sunlight.

Periodically change the absorbent material until the liquid stops seeping out of the ground.
After the lump is dried, it is dipped in perlite and planted in an old pot. Some time after planting, it is recommended to loosen the soil to provide air access to the root system of the plant.

If, after you took out the earthen ball, rotting of the roots was found, you should resort to transplanting the plant into a new substrate. To do this, the roots of the plant are cleaned as much as possible from the old substrate, rotten roots are cut off and the cut point is treated with crushed wood or activated charcoal. Next, the plant is planted in fresh soil.

Did you know? Experienced flower growersoften used as drainage - it is able to absorb salts that will save the soil from acidification. Accumulating excess liquid in itself, coal prevents waterlogging, and in the absence of watering gives moisture to the plant.

Preventive measures

In order not to subject plants to tests in the form of molds, midges or acidification of the substrate, it is necessary to follow some rules in caring for the soil in flower pots and regularly resort to prevention.

Preventive measures include:

1. Regular, but not excessive watering.
2. Choosing a pot according to the size of the plant.
3. Good drainage, which is selected according to the size of the hole in the pot so that they do not clog.
4. Regular loosening of the soil for normal access of oxygen and seepage of liquid to the lower layers of the substrate.
5. Soil treatment with a weak solution of potassium permanganate 1 time per month.
6. Systematic ventilation of the room in which the plants are located, maintaining the optimum temperature and humidity.
7. Use of high-quality soil, which is sold in specialized stores and packed in factory-made bags.
8. Disinfection of purchased soil before planting a flower with potassium permanganate.

Thus, the appearance of mold, white bloom, unpleasant odor or midges in the soil of flower pots is directly related to improper plant care. In order to avoid unpleasant consequences, it is important to take into account the peculiarities of flower care and follow preventive measures, and in case of any problem, act immediately to keep the plant healthy.