Potting compost and potting soil are usually 2 terms that are used interchangeably to describe any medium in which a garden plant can be grown in a container. However, when you have certain to a type of gardening you will find that potting soil is often times referred to as potting soil, especially when you have certain plants that can be grown in a round bottomed pot, such as Java fern. You will also find that potting compost is a common term used when you are talking about the material that you put into a pot in which you are growing plants. Here we will take a look at what is the difference between potting soil and potting compost.
The first thing that you need to understand is that there is considerable variation between potting soil and potting mixes. Not only is the quality of the materials very different, but the process by which the materials are made also has a large effect on how the final product is. You will notice that not all gardening products are designed with the same amount of light, water and nutrients in mind, which means that the final product will vary between different brands and types.
If you are working with an area of low moisture but high potassium content, then you will find that your best bet is going to be one of the bags that are made from perlite. This is because the high concentration of potassium helps to keep the roots of the plants from drying out too quickly. Another extremely effective material that you can use is vermiculite. While it does have a high concentration of potassium, it also has a high concentration of magnesium. This helps to make the raised beds perlite work even better as a source of nutrients for the plants.
What is the difference between potting mix and fertilizer is that fertilizer is generally sprayed directly onto the soil in order to provide the needed nutrients. This is typically the case with most of the top selling fertilizers on the market today. You will find that these products also contain ingredients that help to keep the soil moist, which can help to extend the growing season. However, these fertilizers are not usually made to hold onto the moisture that is in the air. This means that you are going to want to consider purchasing containers that have some sort of spading holes in them, which is going to provide the added moisture that is needed to ensure that your plants stay healthy all year long.
The third ingredient that you are going to find is that you are going to need to look for a soil that is rich in nutrients and aeration. Potting mixes and fertilizers tend to lack these vital ingredients, which can lead to unhealthy roots if you are not careful. The aeration and nutrient retention that is required for healthy plant growth occurs through the perlite, vermiculite and aeration that these ingredients provide to the soil. If you only have some type of soil in your pots then you are going to find that you do not have the aeration and nutrients that you would need to help your plants thrive. If you purchase a container that has perlite, vermiculite or aeration mixed into it then you are going to find that you get the nutrients, aeration and moisture that your plants need to grow.
The final ingredient that you will want to pay close attention to when you are looking over the various mixes that you can purchase for your plants is the drainage that is being provided. Most of the more expensive types of mix are not only going to feature organic materials in their ingredients, but they will also feature some type of a hydroscopic drainage system. What this means is that water will be able to travel up from the roots up into the air where it is available for your plants. While it may sound like a good thing, this is one of the main factors that can lead to root rot if you do not make sure that there is adequate drainage.
The last thing that you want to be aware of when you are researching the ingredients that your potting mix contains is what is called a bio-ballast. This is a natural ingredient that is added to the mix to help with ensuring that the roots of the plant remain strong after they are planted. Pine bark is often times used as an ingredient that will help to strengthen the root system as well. However, what happens is that the oils in the pine bark will attract more Organic Matter Compaction (OSC) from the ground around the roots. This will ultimately increase the speed in which the roots of the plant are able to absorb the needed amount of water and the amount of Organic Matter Compaction (OMC) that is in the soil.
So what is the difference between potting soil and potting mixes that contain a bio-ballast? If you wish to avoid having problems with your indoor plants, then it would be advisable for you to research the contents of the potting mixes that you are looking at purchasing. If you are buying a product that has a high level of Organic Matter Compaction (OMC) in it then you will have better results if you do choose to use these types of products. However, if you are looking for a product that will provide your indoor plants with a higher rate of water absorption and will have an increased rate of water evaporation then the ingredients of these organic mixes may be exactly what you are looking for.