How to use ferrous sulfate for watering plants: Detailed explanation of the correct usage of ferrous sulfate

How to use ferrous sulfate to water plants

Let's talk about how to use ferrous sulfate to water plants and related details on the correct use of ferrous sulfate for green plants, specifically as follows:

1. Reasons for the yellowing of plant leaves

There are many reasons for the yellowing of plant leaves, including improper watering, unsuitable lighting, sudden temperature changes, and potting changes, all of which can lead to yellow leaves.

When plants have yellow leaves, first check the moisture level of the soil. It is essential to avoid continuous dampness or prolonged drought, as both can cause leaves to yellow and may lead to root rot in severe cases.

Pay attention to newly purchased plants; do not repot them immediately or expose them to direct sunlight right away. Gradually increase sunlight exposure, and do not make significant changes to the care environment, as this can also cause leaf yellowing.

2. Iron deficiency yellowing

If it is iron deficiency yellowing, you can supplement acidic fertilizer in time, including ferrous sulfate, which can quickly adjust soil acidity and make the leaves of the plant turn green again.

Iron deficiency yellowing is also very easy to identify. The veins of the new leaves are green, but the edges of the leaves are yellow, which indicates iron deficiency yellowing.

If the local water quality is alkaline and tap water is often poured directly into the potting soil, it can easily lead to alkaline soil. Or, if the soil itself lacks acidity, these can lead to iron deficiency yellowing.

3. Rational use of ferrous sulfate

When supplementing ferrous sulfate for plants, it is best to choose neutral or acidic water and avoid using weakly alkaline water, especially tap water that contains too many fluorochloride compounds, which has a disinfectant smell. It is best to let this water sit for a day or two before using it.

Ferrous sulfate is very prone to oxidation. If it encounters alkaline water, ferrous sulfate dissolved in such water can easily turn into rust color, and oxidized iron cannot be absorbed by plants.

When using ferrous sulfate, you can add some acidic companions to the water first, such as citric acid, to lower the pH.

4. Ferrous sulfate and nitrogen fertilizer

When supplementing plants with ferrous sulfate, you can also add some nitrogen fertilizer. A lack of nitrogen can also easily cause leaves to turn yellow. Supplementing with nitrogen fertilizer, such as the commonly used "Flower More 10," helps the plant quickly replenish nitrogen. Combined with ferrous sulfate, it quickly adjusts soil acidity and promotes plant growth, which is more effective than using ferrous sulfate alone.

How to use ferrous sulfate to water plants

5. Ensuring soil acidity

Most plants prefer slightly acidic soil, including common plants such as roses, gardenias, jasmines, camellias, azaleas, amaryllis, and bougainvilleas.

To ensure that the soil is slightly acidic, it is necessary to add more acidic substrates when preparing the soil, including common materials such as peat soil, decomposed leaf soil, and compost soil.

If the soil is too alkaline, it cannot be completely improved by fertilizing. Many online claims that adding a little something can make the soil acidic are mostly exaggerated. Adding organic fertilizer to the soil can indeed slowly improve the soil quality, but the effect is not very significant. If the soil is alkaline, the best method is to change the potting soil.

This article shares detailed information on how to use ferrous sulfate to water plants and the correct use of ferrous sulfate. I hope this article can help you with green plant management!