Soil salinity is a salt accumulation process driven by natural processes such as weathering of minerals and secondary processes of drainage or irrigation. This process harms the plants. In simple terms, when a white salt blot accumulates on the soil surface, it prevents the plant from developing fully.
A certain amount of salt in the soil is natural - it is a mineral that is included in any type of soil. If you don’t take care of the soil properly in the future, there will be a significant excess of salt that will affect the plant’s normal development. That’s why this white buildup will let you know you made a mistake in the care of the plant. This so-called crust «salt» can be white to yellow. It often occurs when the physical evaporation of water from the soil dominates the evaporation of the same plant’s water.
Reasons
There are several reasons why soil salinity develops:
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Perhaps the mechanical components of the mixture in the pot are too heavy. This is why there is a high (and sometimes excessive) capillary action, and through it, water is more attracted to the soil surface.
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The white buildup can also quickly appear through fungal microflora. When irrigated, all conducive conditions for fungal reproduction are easily created. To get rid of this kind of fungi, water your potted plants correctly. It means that they should be watered only when the top layer of ground in the pot is already dry!
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The dryness of the air in the room where the plant is placed. As a result of the increased evaporation of moisture, the soil concentrates salt on its surface.
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Improper fertilization of the plant. During the growth season, it is crucial to calculate the dosage accurately. Do not fertilize the plant during its rest season (in each plant time of rest individual)!
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Another common cause of saline on the surface may be that you’re watering the plant with water that just came from the tap. Water for irrigation shall be set for at least 24 hours. This is necessary to settle harmful substances and to evaporate all the chlorine.
Solutions
Curing the problem of salinity in plants is not as hard as it seems. Here are some simple tips and preventive measures that will help you!
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One of the simplest solutions to this problem is simply removing the top layer of the «sick» soil and replacing it with a fresh layer.
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Shower your plants periodically. Just put your plant in a pot under a warm shower and keep it there for several minutes.
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Fill the soil surface with kermesite. Remove the affected topsoil and fill it with drainage.
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Another way to deal with the saline layer is river sand. Just put sand in the pot and rip it up. This combination will not only protect your plant but will also be very useful for its roots.
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Pick a pot to suit the size of each plant, as the wrong size of the pot can cause soil salinity. If there is too much soil in the pot, the roots will not fully absorb the moisture, and the excess moisture will start to form salt buildups as it reaches the surface.
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Carry out prophylactic treatment of plants on a regular basis. Use half of a teaspoon of citric acid for 8.4 fl oz of water. Water the plant twice a month using this solution to prevent excessive salinity.
We hope that your pet plant will not get sick because of excessive salinity again with these pieces of advice. While a certain amount of salt is okay for any type of soil, it is important to make sure that it is not exceeded as it will prevent the roots of the plant from properly absorbing water and all the essential nutrients.
