What's up, guys? Welcome to another post of Plant Fanatics. Today we're going to be talking about fertilizing your potted plants. So stay tuned!
Fertilizing your potted plants is essential. Whether you're dealing with a fruiting tree, a fruiting plant, or just an ornamental plant, if it's in a pot, it becomes the gardener's responsibility to keep up with feeding. Potted plants have limited resources, unlike plants in the ground that have a constant source of nutrients. Once the plant uses everything in that pot, there’s nowhere else to go for nutrients.
So without further ado, let's get into it.
Why Regular Fertilizing is Essential for Potted Plants
When I started gardening, I frequently visited nurseries and realized their plants looked much better than mine. Their leaves were greener, and the fruits were healthier. Meanwhile, my plants often dropped their fruit and exhibited chlorosis, a yellowing of the leaves. I spoke to the nurserymen and discovered their secret: a diluted liquid feed every time they watered their plants.
Granular vs. Liquid Feed
Since then, I adopted this method. I'm not here to tell you to use granular feed because I've had awful experiences with it. Generally, following the instructions on any fertilizer should yield good results, but for potted plants, I prefer liquid feed.
My Liquid Fertilizing Process
Choosing the Right Feed
I started with Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All-Purpose Plant Food, which worked wonders. But recently, I found Expert Gardener at Walmart. After examining the nutrient profile, I realized they're essentially the same, but Expert Gardener is cheaper.
How to Prepare the Feed
You'll find granules that look like sand in your liquid feed container, and it usually comes with a measuring spoon.
But these provided measuring spoons are often too cumbersome for constant feeding.
![Granules and Measuring Spoon]So, I purchased a cheap set of metal measuring spoons. According to the directions, you should use a fourth teaspoon of the mix per gallon of water. I dilute it even further, using one-fourth teaspoon per two gallons of water, which is a typical watering can size.
How Often to Fertilize
Every time I water my plants, I use this diluted feed. It's brought great success. Previously, my plants had okay looks but not great; there were instances of chlorosis, and growth would stall. After regularly fertilizing, these issues resolved.
"It's very important for you to get on a fertilizing schedule with your potted plants."
Comparing Potted vs. Ground Plants
For plants in the ground, fertilizing isn't as crucial as for potted plants, though I still recommend composting.
My Citrus Trees Experiment
Let me show you my citrus trees. Using liquid feed, I have an orange tree in the ground in my greenhouse that I also fertilize this way. The results have been amazing—it's flowering all over, smelling heavenly.
However, remember that if you haven't consistently fertilized your plants, improvements won't be instant. Nutrient uptake takes time. Some of my plants, like my calamondin, still show chlorosis, but this will improve with regular feeding.
It takes time and patience to see noticeable changes.
"If you're a person that does not feed your plants, their health will start declining."
Importance of a Feeding Schedule
Plants eventually outgrow their pot soil's nutrient supply, leading to poor health. A consistent feeding schedule will ensure your plant thrives. For newcomers, feeding every two weeks is an option mentioned on most liquid feed containers, but I prefer a constant, diluted feed. This method minimizes the risk of over-fertilization and improves plant health.
Fertilizing Seedlings
Fertilizing seedlings is crucial as well. They require more feed as they grow. A constant, diluted feed ensures they have all the nutrients they need without the risk of over-fertilization.
Remember, taking care of your plants with a consistent and balanced fertilizing schedule is key to achieving those perfectly green leaves. Happy gardening!