Top Layer - Soil Ammendment

by Richard Chew

It is almost a year since I started this blog. I am really glad that I make many new friends. I like to thank you for visiting and dropping your kind comments.

Though I made some good progress and experience some success, I feel there is still more to learn.

In this posting, I like to write about soil amendment. I learned that after transplanting the rose plants, over time the soil may deplete in certain nutrients or the soil pH may deviate outside the favourable range.

And sometimes the varying factor may be caused by neither of the above, the weather itself may affect how the plant uptake the nutrients, and this could be why you may hear that rose plant deteriorate due to lack of sun or too much direct noon sun or rain and etc.

Well I like to share that there is a solution to improve the rose plant in adapting to the environment simply by amending the soil.

Replacing the soil is not necessarily the most effective solution; as this may disrupt the soil organism in the soil. I believe amending the soil may be sufficient to do the job.

The next question, is when will it become necessary to ammend the soil? And how?

In my opinion, soil ammendment can be done regularly. It can be done through organic fertilizer or by laying a layer of compost at the top soil.








The above pictures are some of the reactions/results happened while I was experimenting. Changes to the soil affects how and what nutrients are absorbed; thereafter affects the formation of leaves.

I believe we can perform a systematic soil amendment. If can perfect this art, we can achieve the following.

1. "Fuel" the plant for strong growth; especially after pruning; nutrients are released for stronger stem development and clusters bloom.

2. Produce better quality blooms during flower development; nutrients are released for flower develoment as the flower bud is forming

3. Counter pests & fungus infestations, example preventing black spots and spider mites by "inducing" certain bacteria to coat a layer of wax on leaves

4. To maintain soil structure to counter continous pouring rain during rainy season

5. To retain sufficient moisture to counter hot and dry season

6. To retain and minimise plant nutrients from leaching off the soil for later uptake

I hope to achieve some favourable results as I continue with my experiments, and certainly looking forward to share my experiences in my future postings.




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