Info:Soil
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What is pH
We speak about a low pH when the soil contains a high level of hydrogen-iones(H+). The more of these iones the more acid the soil is and the lower is the pH. With less of these iones the pH of the soil is higher. The pH-scale goes from 0 to 14, where pure water has a pH of 7, we call this neutral. So lower than 7 is acid and higher alkalic. Soil with a pH of 4.5 is 100 times more acid than a soil with a pH of 6.5. Soil with a pH of 4.5 will lack a lot of elements needed for healthy growth. Grounds who have a lack of humus need an extra 0.5 pH. So if a plant needs a pH of 6 in sandground you actually have to bring the pH to 6.5 With certain pH's some elements needed for growing are in the ground but not available for the roots because they make connections with other elements. This will cause diseases.
- Problems with a low pH
lack of Phosphorus(P) - bad growth especially young plants
lack of magnesium(Mg)
lack of molybdeen(Mo) especially in potting soil
To much mangaan(Mn), aluminium(Al) and iron(Fe) wich can poison the plant.
Loss of Kalium(K) and magnesium(Mg) due to watering
On clayground it causes a bad structure of the soil
- Problems with a high pH
Several diseases because of a shortage of Iron(Fe), mangaan(Mn), borium(B), copper(Cu), zinc(Zn) The organic humus will disappear more quicly especially on sandground.
- Optimal pH(h20)
For sand = 6.3
For clay = 7.2
Soil Type
Sand
Clay
Potting soil
pH of the soil
Generally
For most bananas and plantains the pH has to be between 5.5 and 7.5. It is known that a very low pH will result in bad growth and deformed plants.
For AEAE
For Ensetes
For ensetes probably a neutral or higher pH of the soil is the best. From most ensetes and maybe all we know that they grow in a limy environment. (perrieri/glauca)
For other Musa
How to change the pH
To raise the pH you have to add lime to the soil and bring more air into the ground by spitting. Liming will improve the structure of the ground also
