Tropical House Plant Care – Fertilizing Your House Plants
In order to survive, your houseplants need two kinds of nourishment. We discussed one of these, water, in Part II of this series. They also need minerals. When a plant is outdoors, it can usually get enough minerals from its surroundings all by itself. But houseplants need more attention - the nutrients available to them indoors must be provided by the gardener.
What are those numbers on the bag of fertilizer?
The key elements required for plants are Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K). A fertilizer bag shows the percentages of these three nutrients as three numbers, always given in the same order. An example: an 18-6-12 label means that the bag contains 18% nitrogen, 6% phosphorus, and 12% potassium, usually in the form of nitrates, phosphates, and potassium salts. Other nutrients are also needed, but their required amounts are much lower.
How do I decide what proportions to use for my plants?
This of course depends on what type of plant you are fertilizing. It is very important not to give your plant too much or too little food. This is a decision that must be made for each individual plant. You should carefully read both the label that came with your plant if there is one, and the label on the bag of fertilizer. If you're still not sure, ask the person at the plant store for advice.
What is the function of each of the primary nutrients?
This topic is continually being researched by scientists. For the purposes of gardening, we can say that phosphorus is needed in greater amounts for flowering plants, while leafy plants like plenty of nitrogen. Potassium is particularly required for plants that bear fruit, since it helps to carry other nutrients through the plant tissues.
How can I tell if my plant is getting too little or too much fertilizer?
Insufficient fertilization can cause the plant leaves to turn pale, or not to grow as large as they should. This can be remedied by using a fertilizer solution, so that the plant can absorb nutrients faster. If plants are over-fertilized, the leaves may wilt or begin to turn brown at the tips. In this case, you should thoroughly soak the plant in water to rinse the excess minerals away.
How and when do I apply fertilizer?
My personal preference is to use "liquid" fertilizers, since that makes it more difficult to over-fertilize. Dry fertilizer is dissolved in water using the directions given on the package. Then the plants are soaked by pouring the solution into the pot until it begins to flow out the holes in the bottom. I do this every two months - a bit more frequently during the blooming season.
If you're careful in fertilizing your house plants, they should not just survive, they'll thrive. Don't be shy about asking for advice at your local plant store. They should be glad to help.
Do you need more help with tropical houseplant care? Visit the Professor's blog on tropical houseplants, where you can get help with your plants. There are also lots of beautiful photos, and some cool videos too.
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December 23 2009 04:58 pm | Gardening
