Have you ever seen someone wearing matches to the soil of pots and wondering – why do you need it? Although it sounds unexpected, it is a simple but effective trick that can help from pests, stimulate growth and even supplement the soil with beneficial substances. Using matches as a natural remedy can improve the condition of the plants without additional fertilizer or chemicals. Learn how and why it is worth starting this small but useful ritual today.
Why do you need to put matches into the ground growing in a pot?
This can be done for several reasons. You may be surprised, but when you find out and try it, you will soon be convinced of it yourself!
1. It is a good measure of pests
If you notice that your beloved plants do not grow as they should, it may be due to various pests that attacked them. In this case, despite careful fertilization and care, your plants may not grow as you would like.
Take 8-10 matches and insert them into the soil with heads down, slightly away from the edge of the pot. Water the plants as usual. Leave the matches in the soil for a week and check that their heads are dissolved. If so, remove old matches and replace them with new ones. Repeat this process 3-4 times until you get rid of the pests.
2. Matches help to strengthen plant growth
The matches contain potassium chlorate, phosphorus, sulfur, slightly magnesium and iron oxide. Some types of matches also contain red phosphorus. If you do not have the time to constantly fertilize your plants, throw a handful of matches into the soil to help them grow. The phosphorus in the matches helps to develop a good root system. Also perfect for fruits, vegetables and herbs. Sulfur and magnesium help to produce chlorophyll, making the leaves of plants greener.
Note: This trick is suitable for small plants in pots and may not be suitable for very large plants and trees.
3. Acting as fertilizers
It is not always easy to determine how many fertilizers the plant needs. You can do this safely by inserting 10-15 matches into each pot. When watering the plants, the matches of the mat dissolve – phosphorus gradually releases into the soil, and sulfur, which helps plants gradually and constantly eat. This will not change the use of fertilizers at all, as the matches cannot provide the same nutrition, but can be replaced periodically if necessary.
I am Jovita, one of the authors of Hitas.lt articles. From an early age, I like to cook and I am glad that my mother allowed me to experiment in the kitchen. Favorite dishes are undoubtedly desserts. I also like to “spin” at home, so I try to give readers not only fun recipes, but also useful tips for housework.
