Young plants don't just need careful care. To ensure that the seeds germinate reliably and that cuttings quickly form strong roots, special growing soil is required. This meets the requirements of young plants far better than conventional potting soil, but unfortunately it is not exactly cheap. Especially if you want to grow a lot of plants, it's worth making the substrate yourself.
How can you make your own potting soil?
Make your own growing soil by carefully mixing 1/3 fine topsoil, 1/3 mature compost and 1/3 sand. To sterilize, heat the mixture either in the oven at 200 degrees for 30 minutes or in the microwave at the highest wattage for 10 minutes.
Why is potting soil useful?
There are two main differences between seed soil and conventional substrate:
- Sowing soil has a different composition. It is lower in nutrients and has more fine porosity than potting soil.
- The substrate is germ-free. Spores and fungi, which can be very damaging to the newly sprouted seedling, have been rendered harmless by sterilization.
- It contains no roots or seeds of other plants.
Mix your own seed soil
The optimal mixing ratio is important here. Use:
- 1/3 fine topsoil
- 1/3 mature compost
- 1/3 Sand
and mix the ingredients very carefully. Stones should be selected, so sieve the mixture well.
This composition has a loose, fine-grained texture. This prevents waterlogging and minimizes the risk of rot. In the fine substrate, the young roots can spread easily and grow more vigorously.
Sterilizing potting soil
Depending on the amount required, you can sterilize the seed soil in the microwave or in the oven. Either put the substrate in the tube for half an hour at 200 degrees top/bottom heat or put it in the microwave at the highest wattage for 10 minutes.
Tip
Some gardening enthusiasts still recommend peat as a component of potting soil. If you make these yourself, you should avoid adding this material for ecological reasons. The extraction of peat contributes to the destruction of moors, and thus the important habitat of many microorganisms.
