What exactly is the BHAL we use in our gardens??

[aykhan]

I'm bringing some rose from overseas and I want to potthem so they mature before I put them out in the blazing sun. Anyone know what would be a good potting mixture for roses in Pakistan. The nursery overseas recommends 2 parts native soil to one part peat moss. I'm wondering if the bhal we use here in Pakistan is a good option for the"native soil".Anyone know what pH the bhal is and wether it has any nutrients? Thanks.

[Izhar]

As per my limited knowledge, River bed and river bank soil is termed as "Bhal". It contains lots of nutrients which the water brings from the mountains it flows from. Excellent for most of the plants, The pH ranges form mildly acidic to mildly alkaline which depends on the concentration of lime stone between the path of river. Mixing of bhal with well rotted manure decreases its pH and converts it into a convenient mix for annuals which require quick nutrients. However, due it fast draining nature it leaches the nutrients in 2 - 3 month time, to prevent this any material which has water retentive properties is used which included Peat, Coco chips & Coco peat, Tree bark, Perlite, Sphagnum moss etc

[aykhan]

Is there a difference between peat moss and sphagnum moss. Where is the best place in Lahore to get peat moss and what kind of price is it? Thanks for your informative answer.

[Izhar]

Peat moss is actually the more decayed form of Sphagnum moss.
Sphagnum moss also contains live spores which can germinate and grow if kept humid.

Peat moss is available at Pride Seed store but is expensive, better alternative is Coco peat (Coir). You can follow the link for further reading:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/node/819

[khabbab]

I have heard that canal bhal (nehri bhal) is much better than river bhal.

[UMAR KHAN]

Khabbab u re right nehri bhal is exellent.i also prefer it over river bhal.

[aykhan]

I heard that the canal bhal has a lot of weeds (booti) so most people have to use the river bhal to avoid weeds. I think that's good advice as far as lawns are concerned but don't think it matters much for potting purposes.

[UMAR KHAN]

Aoa yes weeds are the major problem in bhal so its not good to sprikle over the lawn every year.there is a weed in pushto we call it dheela i dont know its english name or urdu name.its a grass family weed.a real nonsence in lawn.but in flower beds bhal is very useful.weeds can easily be uprooted by regular weeding.never use bhal in established lawn.for the new it is ideal the grass roots run very fast in bhal.here comes the mali,s real job,how hard he works & how frequently he removes the weeds.ay khan you can use bhal in rose bed with well matured manure & clay sand mix.also do not use manure in lawn,as it is also house of many weeds.

[Muhammad Arif Khan]

The River sediment varies from coarse sand as of Chanab, River bed sand (common builder sand), fine sand from river banks (ghasoo), canal Bhall and nullah bhall. Chanab sand has the highest porosity and lowest nutrients while nullah bhal is the least porous and highest in nutrients,