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7
The extraction of soil probes
In the modern world of plant production and needs-based dispensing of water
and fertilizer, it‘s simply not sufficient to have a „green thumb“. There is a
growing significance placed on environmental and economic requirements.
For the horticulturalist, this means that substrate and soil analysis have be-
come an important factor. Variables which are typically tested include distinct
nutrients (chiefly N, P, K, Mg), trace nutrients (Fe, Mn, B, Cu...), salt content,
and pH value. For outdoor cultivation, the dimensional weight and the humus
content are also measured.
Potted plants
Twenty evenly-distributed sample pots should be selected and taken out.
They are then taken out of their pots and a thin, continuous wedge is cut •
out. From this wedge, a composite sample is made in a bucket. It should
be at least 500 ml.
Using the hand sampling soil sampler and a smooth twisting motion, •
samples are pulled out of every pot. The upper centimetre is discarded
and the rest is mixed into a composite sample of at least 500 ml.
Cut flowers
Take evenly-distributed samples which are scattered throughout the growing
area. Take samples before any new plantings or every four to six weeks under
glass.
Substrate (pre-mixed and self-mixed substrates)
Twenty samples should be taken with the sampling soil sampler at different
depths and mixed into the composite sample.
Outdoor cultivation
Clear all plants and plant pieces from the area where the soil sampler will be
inserted.