Balconies and terraces have been changing their face for several seasons and have turned from a handy storage into a quiet place to relax. The vegetation complemented the climatic arrangement. How to take care of a private patch of greenery? One of the most important care treatments is fertilization.
Balcony plants, like a rare group of plants, need additional reinforcement with a properly selected and balanced fertilizer. While plants inhabiting garden beds can draw the necessary ingredients directly from the soil, specimens grown in containers and pots do not have this possibility. It can therefore be safely said that their development, abundant flowering and good-looking habit are conditioned by the level of owner's involvement.
Flowering species are particularly voracious and require regular fertilization. The more so that most of them come from areas with a warm, mild climate, increased air humidity and soil rich in nutrients. If you do not do this, the plants will quickly weaken and lose their attractive appearance. And that's not the outcome we want.
Fertilizer for balcony plants - types of fertilizers
Fertilizer for balcony flowers is a properly balanced mixture of elements necessary for the plant. Especially three of them are crucial for its development - nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. Each is responsible for different needs of the plant, but they are all equally important.
Nitrogen (N) affects growth, regulates the consumption of other macronutrients, and its deficiencies noticeably affect the condition of the entire plant.
Potassium (K) is involved in flowering, fruiting and yielding of plants. It regulates metabolic processes, water management, strengthens plants, stimulates the production of new shoots and tillering, and increases resistance to diseases.
Phosphorus (P) is the basic element involved in the growth and development of plants. Stimulates the root system, accelerates flowering and fruiting.
Nutrients for balcony plants can be single-ingredient or a properly composed preparation, additionally containing other important elements, such as manganese, iron or magnesium. Products available in gardening stores are provided with detailed information on the composition of the fertilizer and how to use it. The leaflet also contains the percentage composition of individual ingredients, so you can be sure that you will provide your plants with the substances they need.
TYPES OF FERTILIZERS FOR BALCONY PLANTS
Before you reach for a specific offer, it is worth getting acquainted with the possibilities you have. The choice of fertilizer for balcony flowers should be based mainly on the requirements and stage of flower development, but their formula is also important. span>
Preparations are available in the market in several forms:
loose fertilizers (granules, crystals), which can be spread evenly in the pot, avoiding sprinkling the leaves and other parts of the plant with fertilizer. Direct contact with the chemical can burn the plant
liquid fertilizers (concentrate, gel), which are considered safer, require dilution in water in the appropriate proportion in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations
long-acting fertilizers, often in the form of sticks to stick into the ground or in loose form. The advantage in this case is the slow release of nutrients, thanks to which they are used once or twice a season.
In addition to the above principle, you can also choose between universal fertilizers and those that are targeted at a specific species. For example, in the assortment of the Gardenowo store you will find special fertilizers for geraniums and surfinias, but we also have fertilizers for flowering plants or fertilizers for balcony plants. Nutrients intended for a larger group of plants will work very well in the case of a large collection of flowers belonging to different species. So instead of buying several preparations, one universal one is enough.
WHAT INSTEAD OF READY FERTILIZERS FOR BALCONY FLOWERS?
Although ready-made preparations are easily available, cheap and effective, our customers often ask for more ecological and natural methods. Of course, we know such an alternative. Instead of chemicals, you can use organic preparations that are popular with people who want to grow their plants in accordance with nature.
Among the recommended natural remedies, biohumus, produced from the droppings of the California earthworm, manure (or not so smelly - granulated manure) and self-made or ready-made compost, available in garden stores, should be mentioned. Like manure, you can buy compost in granulated form.
When and how to fertilize balcony plants?
It is worth fertilizing plants inhabiting the balcony immediately after planting and continue throughout the season, until late autumn.
Because flowers need a lot of nutrients that are easily washed away by watering or rain, they should be fertilized regularly, preferably once a week. Depending on which form of the nutrient you choose, fertilization is carried out by spreading the preparation on the substrate or after preparing a water solution.
Remember to always use the dosage recommended by the manufacturer. Over-fertilization of balcony plants can be very dangerous for them. This is especially important in the case of loose fertilizers. Importantly, after applying the agent in a loose form, the plant should be watered immediately.
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