Where did the idea of pouring cigarette ash into a cigarette come from? In the past, when there were no ready-made fertilizers available in every gardening store, you had to mix them yourself. It turned out that ash is useful. This concerned primarily the waste swept from the stove or fireplace, but also from cigarettes and cigars. It made sense in the past, but does it still make sense today?
Cigarette ash for flowers. Which plants should be fertilized with ash?
Cigarette ash, like that remaining after burning organic matter, e.g. wood in a fireplace or bonfire, in theory contains nutrients useful to plants. This includes: potassium, responsible for the proper transport of water inside plants, but also calcium, magnesium necessary for the production of chlorophyll, and phosphorus. Ash can therefore provide a lot of necessary ingredients and at the same time deacidify the substrate.
Additionally, ash helps fight many pests, especially aphids. In the garden, it will help deter snails. Due to its deacidifying effect, it should not be used for plants that prefer acidic soil. You can use ash to grow roses or geraniums, but also ivy and monstera. Avoid it on ferns and heather. But what should you watch out for?
wood ash garden trick Helin Loik-Tomson/ istockphoto.com
Do you pour cigarette ash into a flower pot? Be careful not to harm them
Nutrients aren’t the only things you’ll find in cigarette ash. First of all, it contains a lot of heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead and nickel, which harm not only smokers and those inhaling cigarette smoke, but also plants. Additionally, it contains a lot of calcium and is therefore used to deacidify the soil. However, its excess makes it difficult to absorb nutrients. Thanks to the ash, the soil changes its pH to alkaline, which can also seriously harm plants.
High pH causes salts to accumulate in the soil. Using cigarette ash on flowers can quickly lead to the death of the plant. Therefore, it is better to use it in moderation, e.g. when you notice the presence of pests. Half a teaspoon or a teaspoon is enough, depending on the size of the pot or bed, once every 3-4 months. Once every few months, you can water the plants with water and tobacco. However, do not mix ash and tobacco with others and do not use them right after the plants.
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
