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Many people remember to water theirhouseplantsbut dont consider fertilizing them.
Fertilizer vs. Plant Food
As important as fertilizer is to plants, it is not plant food.
Commercial houseplant fertilizers are often called plant food, but plants make their food through photosynthesis.
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Fertilizers provide the nutrients necessary for the plant to function overall as well as to photosynthesize efficiently.
Macronutrients in Fertilizers
Fertilizers contain the mineral nutrients a plant needs.
These are also called the macronutrients.
These are ratios, not percentages.
What Are Complete and Balanced Fertilizers?
Micronutrients in Fertilizers
Plants also need other minerals although in lesser quantities.
These are called the micronutrients.
No less important, just not as much is needed by the plant.
In general, apply fertilizer during the plants active growing time, which usually is spring to fall.
The exception is a winter blooming plant.
Keep in mind that some plants are heavy feeders and of course some are larger than others.
However, as time passes and you water the plant, the nutrients will leach out.
Think about fertilizing a month later and develop a schedule.
Do not fertilize when the soil is dry, either water first or water with very diluted fertilizer.
Types of Fertilizers and How To Use Them
Fertilizer comes in different forms.
Liquid Fertilizer
There is ready to use liquid and a concentrated liquid that must be diluted.
The ready to use liquid is just added to the water you use to water the plants.
It probably has very low numbers such as 2-2-2 and is intended for continuous feeding.
The concentrated form will have higher numbers and must be diluted first in water.
Some are made with messy dyes that can stain the hands.
In the summer, the humidity may make the powder clump.
system can be tricky if there is little soil visible because of the foliage.
Over time, the fertilizer is released to the roots, so this is done every few months.
You will have to remember when you applied the granules.
Again, this can be tricky if there is little soil visible because of the foliage.
Also, you will have to remember when you inserted the stick or tablet.
Foliar Feeds
These are liquids that are sprayed on to the plant.
The disadvantage of course is the mess, you may not be able to spray in your living room.
However, this is a good method for feeding epiphytes such as tillandsias and bromeliads.
For indoor plants, this is a personal preference.
The plant itself does not care.
Organic fertilizers are made with organic ingredients such as liquid kelp, fish emulsion, and bat guano.
Yes, some can be odiferous.
Usually, the three macronutrients are present but not all the micronutrients.
They tend to be weaker solutions than synthetic fertilizers.
Synthetic fertilizers are made from man-made, inorganic compounds usually derived from by-products of the petroleum industry.
More Is Not Better
With fertilizer, more is not better.
This does not necessarily mean you overfertilized, though.
To flush the salts out, watering thoroughly, allow the water to drain, then drench it again.
Fertilizing houseplants is just as important as watering them.
Learn what your plant needs and what works best for you in terms of your budget and time.
Then develop a plan to provide your houseplants the nutrients they need to stay healthy.
Utah State University.Selecting and using organic fertilizers.
