Floriculture is an important branch of horticulture, which deals with cut or loose flowers, ornamental plants, such as foliage plants, trees, shrubs, climbers, palms, bamboo, cacti and succulents, dried flowers, essential oils and landscape gardening.To achieve that these fulfill the main function of decorating, certain physicochemical parameters must be taken into account in their cultivation, since these parameters make the visual attributes of flowers and plants sufficiently striking.
One of the most important attributes and perhaps the main one is the color of the flowers and leaves. We all know that chlorophyll is the molecule responsible for imparting the green color of the leaves, however the flowers have different coloration and this depends on the different molecules that produce pigmentation and that can be found in them.
We present you the two key color effectors:
- xanthophylls: are the molecules responsible for the pigments that give flowers the range of colors from pale yellow to garnet red or brown.
- anthocyanins: they are pigments whose colors range from blue to mauve, purple and lilac.
Most of the flowers sorts have only one of the two types of pigments, so they either have xanthophylls or they have anthocyanins. The more concentration of them a flower has, the darker or on the other hand we can expect lighter color
One of the parameters that is of key factors in achieving the right hue of colorations in flowers are also the soil conditions. The pH of the soil is a factor so that the flowers of a plant can be of one color or another.
A soil with a more acidic pH than that of the plant itself will be a factor for flowers of the most intense colors to sprout in each of the previously presented types of pigments. That is, red for flowers with xanthophylls and purple for flowers with anthocyanins. Due to this, it is recommended to keep a control of the pH of the soil where the flower is grown to obtain the desired color results.
The best example are the hydrangea flowers, which depend on the chemical reaction of the soil on which it is grown, the more acidic soils will give deeper hue of blue, on neutral reddish, and on alkaline we can expect pinkish flowers. Soil pH indirectly changes flower color by affecting the availability of aluminum in the soil. When the soil is acidic (pH 5.5 or lower), aluminum is more available to the roots, resulting in blue flowers.
At Hanna we have a variety of direct soil pH meters to carry out this control and thus ensure the optimal conditions for obtaining the desired color.
Designed to bring simplicity to pH testing to environmental and agricultural testing, the HI98168 GroLine Professional Portable Soil pH Meter is engineered for direct insertion in soil. The specialized probe features a conical tip and a triple ceramic junction for improved performance in soils that have a low moisture content.
- ±0.002 pH Accuracy
- Comes with all the necessary solutions and batteries- everything you need to get started measuring right away.
- Specialized electrode for spot checking the pH of soil and soil slurries.
The HI99121 is the perfect portable Direct Soil Measurement pH Meter. With the HI99121 and HI1292D direct soil pre-amplified pH and temperature probe, users can test both the pH of soil directly or after preparation of a soil slurry with deionized water. The HI1292D features a conical, rugged tip that can be directly inserted into moist or soft soil. For harder soils, the kit includes a plastic auger to perforate the ground.
The World’s First pH Electrode with Bluetooth Smart Technology for the Direct Soil Measurment
Our HALO® Wireless Soil pH Meter has a triple ceramic junction in the outer reference cell, built-in temperature sensor, and the conic pH sensing tip making it ideal for pH measurements in soil samples. All readings are transmitted directly to your Apple or Android device or the edge®blu.
Don’t worry, If this seems a bit too high-end for you, we have variety of testers also for the Hobby gardeners!
The HI981030 GroLine soil pH tester is an application specific designed pH tester for the measurement of soil pH. This meter offers many advanced features including the ability to clear any clogging of the reference junction, which results in a longer life than standard pH testers.
- ±0.05 pH accuracy
- Comes with all the necessary solutions and batteries- everything you need to get started measuring right away.
- Specialized electrode for spot checking the pH of soil and soil slurries.
The HI3896 is a chemical test kit for the determination of commonly monitored parameters in soil testing. By using Hanna’s Soil Test Kit, it is possible to measure pH and the most important elements for plant growth: nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).This kit is equipped with all the necessary reagents and equipment to perform over 25 tests for each parameter.
- Pre-made reagents for ease of use
- All reagents marked with expiration date and lot number for traceability
- Soil test handbook provided
