How to fertilize plants and flowers
Core introduction to the main text: Discussing how to fertilize plants and flowers and essential fertilizing methods for beginners, let's follow the editor to check out the specific content!
It has been mentioned to friends before that fertilization should only be done when plants are in a growing state. When plants are sprouting new buds, growing new leaves, or developing flower buds, the fertilizer given at this time should be fast-acting, including water-soluble fertilizers, granular compound fertilizers, or nutrient solutions.
There is another type of fertilizer called base fertilizer (basic fertilizer), which slowly releases fertility. Adding it to the soil in advance allows the plant to have fertility during the subsequent growth process, ensuring better growth and flowering. Base fertilizers include commonly used organic fertilizers and controlled-release fertilizers (slow-release fertilizers).
1. Fertilization suggestions for indoor foliage plants
If you only keep some foliage plants at home and the environment is not well ventilated and lit, the plants do not need frequent fertilization because they grow slowly and have less demand for fertilizers. Therefore, it is also necessary to control fertilization, or it will not only fail to promote plant growth but may even cause fertilizer damage.
In such an environment, it is generally recommended to use slow-release fertilizers, applying once every six months to a year, which is sufficient. Sprinkle 2-3 grams around the topsoil of each pot.
If the indoor environment has decent ventilation and lighting and the plants are growing well, in addition to supplementing slow-release fertilizers every six months, additional water-soluble fertilizers can be added. This includes common products like Huaduo No. 1 and Meileke General Fertilizer, which can be supplemented every three to four weeks. The concentration can be slightly lower than usual, depending on the plant's condition.
2. Fertilization suggestions for plants on balconies or outdoors
For plants growing on balconies or outdoors, where there is relatively good ventilation and lighting and the plants are growing well, there are some differences in fertilization compared to indoor plants.
How to fertilize plants and flowers
It is not recommended to use organic fertilizers in indoor environments with poor ventilation and lighting, which include common fertilizers like manure, cake fertilizer, and compost. Once organic fertilizers are used indoors, they can easily attract various insects, including small black flies, so slow-release fertilizers are usually used directly.
Plants growing on balconies, terraces, or in gardens can be appropriately fertilized with organic fertilizers, such as sheep manure, earthworm manure, and cake fertilizers.
The method of using organic fertilizers is also very simple. When plants are repotted, you can first spread a thin layer of soil at the bottom of the flowerpot, then add organic fertilizer, cover it with soil, and then transplant the plant with soil, covering it with soil to complete the addition of base fertilizer.
If the fertility is relatively mild, such as sheep manure or earthworm manure, you can mix them appropriately in the soil or shallowly bury them on the soil surface, as long as they do not directly touch the plant's roots, there will be no problem.
The usage of slow-release fertilizers is more recommended to be sprinkled on the soil surface or shallowly buried around the soil, which can encourage the plant's roots to grow upward rather than all towards the bottom of the pot.
Plant roots also have a fertilization preference; they grow towards areas with fertility. Sprinkling a little slow-release fertilizer on the soil surface will slowly release fertility during the normal maintenance process.
3. Supplementing water-soluble fertilizers
Outdoor plants also need to be frequently supplemented with various water-soluble fertilizers, or directly applying compound fertilizers is fine, but attention should be paid to dosage, concentration, and frequency.
For outdoor plants, if they have not yet started to recover and grow, have not sprouted new buds, or have not grown new leaves, such as right after repotting or within the first few weeks after purchasing, do not rush to fertilize.