Flowers are a beautiful and bright element of the interior. Most lovers cannot imagine their life without house plants. Watering and feeding your flowers, a person feels needed, and this activity is an outlet after a hard day's work. And the flowers reward the owners with a pleasant aroma and beauty.
Caring for home flowers is not as easy as it seems at first glance. For abundant flowering and well-being of plants, one watering is not enough. Flower pots have little space and lack nutrients. Therefore, it is recommended to periodically transplant into new soil and fertilize. Even if the flower grows in a large pot, it will eventually lack nutrients. Mineral and organic fertilizers can be purchased at specialty stores, or you can make them at home using only improvised means. So how to feed indoor flowers at home?
1 Sugar fertilizer
Fertilizing flowers with sugar is most necessary in winter, since at this time there is very little sunlight and plants receive little ultraviolet light. The sun is necessary for good photosynthesis, otherwise plants use their hidden reserve. First of all, sugar is consumed, which is why sweet fertilizer is so necessary in the winter season.
A teaspoon of sugar is poured into a flower, after which it is poured with water at room temperature. You can also make a sweet solution. To do this, a tablespoon of sugar is dissolved in 0.5 liters of water.
How often to feed indoor flowers with sugar - scientists have not yet found a single solution. Some say that it is necessary to feed every week, while others say that once every two to three months is enough. Therefore, this issue needs to be addressed by each plant lover on their own.
It is important not to overdo it to avoid mold or rot.
When using any fertilizer, special attention should be paid to watering. A large amount of water washes away useful elements from the earth. And because of this, the root system can rot. The first signs are yellowed leaves, a weakened stem and spotting. You need to know the measure in watering and in fertilizers, then the plants will delight with excellent flowers and good health. A spoonful of sugar will definitely give a result, but only temporary, so this procedure is repeated regularly.
1.1 Glucose
Instead of sugar, you can use glucose, which is sold in every pharmacy. Such dressing for flowers will be more effective. To do this, dilute one tablet in a liter of water at room temperature. It is recommended to spray or water the flowers with this solution no more than once a month.
2 Feeding homemade coffee flowers
A good fertilizer for indoor flowers is sleeping coffee. The most convenient is that it does not need to be prepared specifically for plants. After drinking the drink, simply do not throw away the coffee grounds, but mix them with the soil in the pot. Thanks to this, the earth will become lighter and looser, its acidity will increase and saturate with oxygen.
Before using coffee for home flowers, it is worth remembering that increasing the acidity of the soil does not have a positive effect on all plants. You can also fertilize plants in the flower garden:
- azaleas;
- gladioli;
- lilies;
- all types of roses;
- rhododendrons;
- evergreen.
Home flowers are also fed with ordinary tea brewing. But it can also have a negative effect. Tea leaves in the ground are very attractive to black flies (sciarids), so be extremely careful.
2.1 Feeding houseplants with fruits
Peel of a banana, orange or tangerine - This is an excellent top dressing for indoor plants. But for such a fertilizer will have to work a little.
For cooking, it is necessary to grind the zest, pour it into a liter jar by a third, then pour the jar completely with boiling water. This “drink” should be infused for a day, then we take out the crusts and fill the jar with water to the edge. Now you can water the plants.
Flowers are fertilized with banana peels in the same way: you need to chop the peel, fill it with half a liter jar and pour boiling water over it. After a day of infusion, the peel is taken out and topped up with water.
Banana peels, unlike oranges, can be mixed directly into the soil in a pot. When transplanting, add a small amount of dried and finely chopped banana peels to the flowerpot along with the soil. They will rot and enrich the soil with microelements.
And from the peel of citrus fruits and a banana, you can make a very effective cocktail for plants. It is prepared according to the following recipe: finely chop the zest and peel of a banana in equal proportions, fill a 3-liter jar by a third, add 2 teaspoons of sugar and pour warm water. After three weeks, you will have a light yellow liquid, which should be stored in the refrigerator. For fertilizer, this liquid is diluted with water 1:20 and fed once a month.
2.2 Ash
Ash is an excellent fertilizer, which contains phosphorus, iron, magnesium, zinc, potassium and sulfur. To feed the plants with ash, you need to mix it with the soil when transplanting. In this way, the earth will not only become more nutritious, but will also be disinfected, and roots damaged during transplantation will not begin to rot. You can also prepare a solution of ash: 1 tablespoon of ash is diluted in a liter of water.
2.3 Yeast
Yeast has a lot of nutrients that accelerate the growth of flowers: B vitamins, phytohormones, auxins. Yeast contains cytokinins that regulate cell division.
Yeast is a popular fertilizer method that has been repeatedly studied by scientists. As a result, it was proved that with the help of yeast, the activity of various microorganisms in the soil increases, and the release of carbon dioxide increases. That is why fertilizing flowers with a yeast solution is equated to full-fledged mineral fertilizers.
To prepare the solution, take 10 gr. yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar. Dissolve all this in a liter of warm water. If you take dry yeast, the proportion will change slightly: 10 grams of dry yeast and 3 tablespoons of sugar per 10 liters of water. Before using any of the solutions, let it brew for two hours. Then you need to dilute with water 1:5 and you can water flowerpots with flowers.
Novice flower growers are often interested in how to feed a petunia. For this plant, yeast has the following properties:
- accelerate the process of formation and development of the root system;
- provide a phased restoration of a damaged flower, since yeast contains a complex of minerals and vitamins.
2.4 Onions
Onions are a good fertilizer for violets, especially if the plant is sick or attacked by pests. Onion skin is useful for flowering and flower growth, especially violets. To make an onion decoction for violets, you need to boil the onion peel under the lid, let it brew and then strain. The decoction is used to spray violets. It is worth considering that a decoction for violets is best used on the day of preparation.
2.6 Top dressing during flowering
When the plant begins to bloom, there is a need for abundant phosphorus nutrition. For better flowering, it is recommended to add superphosphates and to the soil, which quickly and easily dissolve in water. These fertilizers are applied to the ground just before flowering.
If you want to have a chic flowering bush at home - try to apply fertilizer in a timely manner. In the spring, plants are ready to gain useful trace elements for further active growth, and throughout the rest of the period, fertilizer should be applied in the form of leaf spraying and root watering.
Candidate of Agricultural Sciences Nikolai Khromov
It's no secret that indoor flowers need to be fed, and we go to stores, buy, sometimes expensive, fertilizers and start feeding, watering and spraying plants with them. In most cases, we get good results, but is it really necessary to spend money and use “chemistry” at home when you can use the available tools at hand.
Fertilizing with sugar keeps houseplants alive during the winter months when they lack light. Photo by Vitaly Pirozhkov.
Indoor roses respond best to coffee grounds. Photo by Nikolai Khromov.
Citrus peel nutrition is especially good for spathiphyllum. Photo by Nikolai Khromov.
Few people know that ordinary yeast contributes to the growth of flowers and their full development. Yeast solution is the richest pantry of a variety of microelements that activate the processing of organic compounds both in the soil and in plants. In the process of their processing, the composition and quality of the soil improve, the immunity of plants to diseases and pests increases, and active growth and development of the root system is observed.
To prepare a growth-stimulating solution, it is enough to take 10 g (a bag) of dry yeast and 4 cubes of refined sugar and dissolve in 1.5 liters of water. Hold the resulting mixture for 2 hours in a warm room, and then dilute five times with water. For a smaller volume, 1 g of dry yeast and 1 tsp is enough. granulated sugar. When watering a flower, 50-100 ml of solution is consumed per 1 kg of soil in a pot. It is desirable to carry out the procedure once in spring, summer and autumn.
You can use yeast for any indoor plants, especially flowering ones. However, during fermentation, yeast fungi can actively absorb such important elements as potassium and calcium from the soil, sometimes in large quantities. It is quite easy to compensate for these elements: at the same time as watering the nutrient solution, add wood or stove ash to the previously loosened soil - only 5-10 g, and even better, 0.5-1.0 g of potassium sulfate dissolved in soft, settled water.
It is also good to soak plant divisions in a yeast solution for faster formation of the root system (12-15 days earlier).
Another effective remedy for feeding indoor flowers is sugar. In the soil, it breaks down into glucose and fructose. Plant tissues cannot absorb fructose, but glucose can become a powerful source of energy for most of the important processes of their life, such as respiration, absorption of nutrients. In addition, glucose is a universal building material that literally builds the most complex organic molecules. But glucose can become a builder of organic molecules if it is fully absorbed by plants, and this requires a second component - carbon dioxide. If there is no or little carbon dioxide in the soil, mold may appear and root rot may occur. Therefore, along with doses of sugar, it is recommended to apply any of the microbiological preparations for the soil (EM preparations). These preparations contain bacteria that contribute to the decomposition of organic matter and the release of carbon dioxide.
The benefits of sugar have long been confirmed by numerous studies of biologists. Sugar helps keep the flowers alive during the winter when they suffer from a lack of light. But plants become stronger and healthier after sugar additions and in spring. Their growth increases, flowering improves and its duration increases.
To prepare a sugar solution 1 tbsp. l. granulated sugar is diluted in 0.6 liters of water. You can also use pure glucose - it is sold in a pharmacy: 1-2 tablets are dissolved in 1 liter of water.
Large plants, in particular ficuses, love sugar dressings, but cacti also prefer them.
Coffee grounds can be a good organic plant food. Drinking coffee acts as a delayed nitrogen fertilizer. Microorganisms contained in the soil release nitrogen from the coffee grounds. As a result, the soil becomes looser, lighter, and more oxygen accumulates in it.
Before making coffee grounds, it is advisable to dry a little, and then mix with the soil at the rate of 1 tsp. thickets per 500 g of soil. Usually such an additive is enough for 5 kg of soil. It is not worth increasing the dose, because drinking coffee in excess can acidify the soil.
Indoor roses react best to sleeping coffee - the duration of their flowering increases and the brightness of the flowers increases. The sleeping coffee of azalea, gardenia, anthurium, indoor cypress is useful. But it is not worth using tea brewing for top dressing. Once in the soil, it will attract black flies - sciarids.
Valuable top dressing for indoor flowers can be obtained from the peel of oranges, tangerines, lemons. To prepare the infusion, the peel is cut into small pieces (1 cm each), they are filled with a third of a liter glass jar and poured with boiling water for a day. After a while, the infusion is filtered and topped up to the top of the jar with settled water. Apply such top dressing once every four to five weeks, pouring 50 ml under each flower. The infusion heals both the soil and plants, increasing their immunity. In addition, the aroma of citrus repels spider mites and scale insects. But if these pests have already settled on the flowers, you will have to use fungicides.
Spathiphyllum responds especially well to dressing from citrus peel.
Wood ash containing potassium (up to 5%) and phosphorus is rarely used for dressing indoor flowers. Furnace ash is considered more useful, but wood ash also improves the composition of the soil, disinfects it, increases water and air permeability, normalizes acidity, and prevents the spread of putrefactive microflora. The potassium in the ash is necessary for budding and good flowering, and phosphorus is necessary for fruit and seed setting.
For the preparation of top dressing 2 tsp. ash is dissolved in 1 liter of water, infused for a week. Water with this solution once every two weeks. Top dressing is designed for 5 kg of soil. You can also use dry wood ash, it is mixed with the soil before planting or transplanting plants in a ratio of 1:50.
Ash top dressing is suitable for all indoor flowers. However, some of them are capricious and prefer acidic soils, such as azalea, gardenia, calla, anthurium, indoor cypress. Ash can harm them by reducing the acidity of the soil.
Onion peel is also used for top dressing, it contains a lot of phytoncides that protect the soil from harmful insects, and when decomposed, help improve its structure. Applying onion peel constantly, you can improve the quality of the soil, making it looser. Plant growth will increase, flowering will become more magnificent.
To prepare the solution, a handful of onion peel (50 g) is poured into 2 liters of water, boiled for 15 minutes, allowed to brew for 2-3 hours, filtered and spilled over the soil or sprayed with flowers. It is advisable to do this no more than once every 45-60 days. This dressing is most suitable for plants planted on the balcony.
Aquarium water is considered a good natural fertilizer. It is soft, has a neutral acid-base balance and contains many trace elements that stimulate the growth and development of plants. Flowers can be watered with such water once every 35-40 days (not more often) and it is better in spring and early summer, otherwise microscopic algae can multiply in the soil, and the earth will turn green and sour. Spend 1 liter of water for one large and 0.5 liters for a small flower.
Orchids react well to aquarium water, with this water they can be watered and sprayed, diluted twice. They love aquarium water myrtle, crossandra, pelargonium.
Another rare top dressing for indoor flowers is water left after defrosting meat. It contains substances that contribute to the formation of chlorophyll necessary for all plants in the tissues. Plants should be watered with such water once every 3-4 months, after diluting it twice. No more than 100 ml of solution is poured into a flower pot with a capacity of 5-6 kg of soil. As a result, the flowers acquire a rich green color, become healthier and grow faster.
Finally, some general advice. Before applying this or that top dressing, spill the soil in the flower pot with clean water, this will help not to destroy the flowers if the fertilizer is too concentrated. Repeat watering regularly, but not year-round, flowers especially need top dressing in spring and summer - during the period of active growth and flowering. Feed weakened plants very carefully, using a solution of low concentration. And remember that excessive amounts of water can lead to root rot and disease.
You can bring a part of nature into your home with the help of indoor plants. What better way to purify indoor air than using all sorts of bright colors. They can be placed on window sills, hung or installed on special racks. However, all representatives of the flora need proper care. First of all, you should take care of the nutrients. For harmonious growth and long flowering, they must receive them in plentiful quantities.
As gardeners fertilize the plants on the site, they should also act as top dressing for indoor plants. And it is not necessary to do this with the help of chemical products from the store. You can always use simple natural remedies, among which simple sugar is more effective.
Why do you need to fertilize indoor flowers with sugar?
Especially indoor pets need top dressing in the winter. At this time, it becomes cool and the number of sunny days is reduced. Plants on the windowsills no longer receive enough light for full growth and development. Sunlight plays an important role in photosynthesis. If this process begins to proceed slowly due to lack of light, then the use of hidden resources begins. First of all, sugars begin to be consumed. For this reason, it is necessary to feed indoor plants with sugar, more precisely with glucose.
In the autumn-winter period, due to the lack of light, plants require sugar supplements.
The use of this tool can be combined with the installation of additional lighting. Practice has shown that flowers growing on the basis of the constant addition of sugar additives to the soil begin to activate their growth and become stronger and healthier every day. They keep the buds open longer and produce more new shoots.
VIDEO: Fertilizing seedlings with yeast and sugar. Myth or reality?
Biological rationale for the benefits of sweet additives
Accelerated growth is explained at the molecular level. Feeding home flowers with sugar promotes the occurrence of certain chemical reactions, which we have been well aware of since school. The fact is that it has the ability to break up into two components:
- fructose;
- glucose.
If fructose plays a secondary role and is practically not absorbed by tissues, then the second component is a vital basis.
When flowers saturate their structure with glucose, they receive a versatile building material capable of forming various organic compounds, such as:
- lipids;
- starch;
- nucleic acid;
- cellulose;
- proteins.
Glucose is a valuable source of energy, which is used to maintain nutrition processes, tissue formation, as well as the absorption of useful components from the earth.
Assimilation of glucose takes place properly only in the presence of carbon dioxide. Therefore, along with the sweet component, it is worth adding preparations containing bacteria to the soil for the rapid decomposition of organic matter (yeast). During their decay, the necessary carbon dioxide will be released.
Feed preparation method
To dissolve sugar, you can pour it on the surface and pour clean water on top. One teaspoon is used per pot.
In order for the feeding of plants with sugar to be more efficient, it is better to make a liquid solution based on 1 tbsp for each liter of water. granulated sugar.
Unfortunately, many disagree on how often such a solution can be used. For some, the results show that it is desirable to make it once a week. Others argue that it is necessary for them to do the sweet life no more than once every two months. This is exactly the type of food that can be harmful at the same time as it can be beneficial - an excess will lead to mold and the appearance of annoying midges.
Precautionary measures
The addition of a natural substance to the soil is a clear advantage over the use of mineral preparations. However, feeding flowers with sugar can also bring a negative effect if all the necessary recommendations are not followed. You need to know that different plants will react differently to the presence of this component in the soil. If ficuses and cacti can be pampered more often with a sweet substrate, then others may react negatively to an excess of a sweet substance. Therefore, for each specific case, it is necessary to observe certain proportions and apply this natural top dressing with the correct intensity.
The most important thing is not to overdo it with sweet fertilizer, otherwise the roots will begin to rot and the flower will die.
During the saturation of indoor plants with sugar, one should not forget about timely watering. With abundant irrigation, all useful trace elements can be washed out of the soil. Too wet soil can cause rotting of the root system and the appearance of various diseases. Stems and leaves can quickly turn yellow and lose their strength.
Excess water and frequent feeding with sugar can lead to unwanted stains. Therefore, in everything it is desirable to observe the measure and, when adding various substances, closely monitor the state of the plant.
It is also necessary to remember that one-time feeding of flowers with sugar will not give any effect. It is repeated at regular intervals. If, after applying fertilizer to the soil, the plant began to take on a healthy appearance, then you are doing everything right. Remember that it is better to give less sugar initially than to look for ways to reverse the effects of overfertilization later on. After all, after a glut, the buds begin to die off or later undergo the flowering process.
When do plants need additional micronutrients?
To determine when it is better to introduce additional substances for indoor plants into the soil, their appearance will help you. The lack of useful trace elements will manifest itself in the following symptoms:
- slow growth of stems and leaves;
- rapid growth of stems with a decrease in thickness;
- the leaves have lost their natural color and slightly drooped;
- plants stop blooming;
- spots form on the leaves, which indicates low immunity and the appearance of diseases.
It is advisable not to bring representatives of the flora to such a state. Therefore, it is better to introduce natural top dressings for your pets into the soil immediately and in moderation.
VIDEO: Effective top dressing for indoor flowers
Key rules for applying natural fertilizers
In order for top dressing of indoor plants to give a positive, and not a negative result, you should listen to the following rules:
- Everything should be in moderation.
- The first addition is carried out only after two months from the moment of landing in the ground. As a rule, planting is carried out in already fertilized soil and the introduction of natural preparations will lead to an excess of nutrients, which will negatively affect the condition of the plant.
- Before adding various products to the soil, you need to spill it well with water. This precaution will protect the root system from the negative effects of a solution with too high a concentration.
- Sick and young flowers need to be fed with a solution with a lower concentration.
- In winter, it is advisable to add fertilizer less often. The frequency of their use can be reduced by 3-4 times.
The following types of plants perceive sweet top dressing best of all:
- succulents;
- ficuses;
- palm trees and dracaena;
- roses.
In general, all plants readily accept such nutrition, but the above must be fed monthly.
Many doubt the quality of sugar, fearing thereby harm indoor flowers. You can just as well replace refined sugar or granulated sugar with glucose (sold at any pharmacy).
The concentration of glucose should not exceed 1 tsp. per liter of water at room temperature. If you spray the leaves, reduce the proportion by half.
For sugar, there is a specific recipe - 1 teaspoon per liter of water or scattered over the surface of a pot with a diameter of 10 cm. If less - no more than half a spoon also per liter or in dry form. For larger diameters, for each additional 10 cm, add a quarter of a spoonful of sugar.
Without carbon dioxide, sweet fertilizer will rot anyway. To make up for the deficiency, the soil in the pot is well loosened - at least 1 time per week.
Do not confuse loosening and watering. The soil should not be overdried, and even more so if it is dry, it should not be unnecessarily stirred. Once watered - loosen after 2 days. In this case, a sufficient influx of carbon dioxide is ensured and glucose will be perfectly absorbed.
When choosing this type of top dressing, remember that syrup is a poison for plants. The weakest concentration is not more than 1 tsp. per liter of water. In this case, the iron rule applies - the less, the better.
How to deal with midges
Often, after sweet top dressing, midges start up in pots. The sciarids themselves (midges) are not dangerous for humans, although they are very annoying, but the roots of flowers can cause significant harm.
In order to get rid of it, you can prepare a garlic solution - 3-4 heads and pour a liter of boiling water over it. After 5 hours, when infused, strain, pour into a spray bottle and process all the flowers (soil and leaves). 2-3 times are enough for the midges to disappear forever.
Organic Natural Supplements
Among other natural remedies with high efficiency of action, it is necessary to highlight:
- ash;
- coffee grounds;
- peels from bananas and citrus fruits;
- yeast;
- onion peel;
- eggshell;
- aloe.
Ash
Ash is a classic option, the benefits of which are well known to everyone. Feeding ash to indoor residents will enrich them with phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron and other components. The first two components are very easy to digest. This makes ash an excellent fertilizer.
An excess of calcium in the ash leads to a decrease in the level of acidity in the soil. Therefore, it cannot be used to feed callas, thuja, azalea, gardenia and other flowers that prefer to grow in acidic soils.
It is especially important to add this component during the laying of buds and their flowering. Ash does not contain nitrogen. It promotes the appearance of green mass. Therefore, this component is replenished by other means. It is advisable to add substances filled with nitrogen a short time after the application of the ash.
Among all the positive aspects of ash, it should also be noted:
- additional protection of the root system from pests and diseases;
- improves soil composition;
- makes the soil structure better for free penetration of air and water;
- conducts disinfection of the soil.
You can add it during transplantation. To do this, it is mixed with planting soil. As a result, you will receive a nutrient substrate with a disinfecting effect. Top dressing with ash can also be carried out in liquid form. To prepare the solution, it is necessary to carefully dilute one tablespoon of ash in one liter of water.
Coffee grounds
This is the recommended option for most plants. It doesn't need any special preparation. You just need not to pour out the coffee grounds, but use it as a fertilizer. It is evenly laid out on the surface layer of the soil. When dry, it will create a mulching effect.
During irrigation, water passes through the surface of such a mulch and supplies all useful trace elements to the ground. The layer you created will additionally retain moisture in the ground. This will allow you to water less often, and the earth in the flowerpot will become light and loose.
You should not use coffee grounds for flowers that do not like acidic soil.
Banana and citrus peels
Usually peelings from tangerines or oranges are immediately thrown away. However, if you like to eat brought fruits, then with their help you can get trace elements not only for yourself, but also for indoor plants.
To prepare fertilizer you need:
- cut off the skin from the pulp of the fruit;
- finely cut;
- fill them with a third of a liter jar;
- pour boiling water and insist.
Approximate time of infusion - a day. Then the infusion is filtered and fresh water is added to the resulting volume to get exactly one liter of liquid. The solution is ready for use.
By the same principle, an infusion of banana skins is prepared. The only difference is that you need to fill the jar with chopped banana skin halfway. The second difference between banana skins and citrus peels is the possibility of their application directly into the soil substrate during transplantation into a new pot. Before this, banana skins must be crushed and dried well. In the ground, they will gradually rot and provide valuable nutrition.
Yeast
You can fertilize indoor flowers using yeast. It is a natural ingredient that is not inferior to anything else. While in the ground, they will release a rich complex of minerals:
- B vitamins;
- auxins;
- phytohormones;
- cytokinins.
The latter promote healthy cell division. In general, yeast helps to create the optimal microflora in the soil for active growth. Those who are not sure about the benefits of this component can read the findings of numerous scientists. Unlike other natural remedies, yeast has been the object of research more than once. All of them proved that the nutritional value of the yeast solution corresponds to that of mineral fertilizers.
To prepare the product, you will need not only the main component, but also sugar. One tablespoon of sugar and 10 g of ordinary yeast should be diluted in 1 liter of slightly heated water. To dissolve the dry product, you need to take:
- dry yeast - 1g;
- sugar - 3 tbsp. l.
- water - 10 l.
The resulting mixture is infused for two hours and diluted in water in a ratio of 1:5.
onion peel
With its help, you can create a life-giving liquid that is suitable for absolutely all representatives of the home flora. After all, onion peel contains a whole range of useful substances. To prepare the infusion, you need to pour 50 g of husks with heated water in a volume of 2 liters. In this form, the liquid boils for 5 minutes. After that, it is infused for 3-4 hours. After the broth has completely cooled, it must be filtered and used for its intended purpose. It must be used immediately, as it is stored for a short period of time.
Eggshell
Solutions are not prepared on the basis of the shell. It is added in crushed form to the ground during planting in a new pot. It should be borne in mind that this component is very oversaturated with calcium, which is not recommended for everyone in large quantities.
Aloe
A good way to significantly boost immunity. Therefore, with aloe, it is good to water weakened or young plants. This component can be purchased at pharmacies, where it is sold in 1 ml ampoules. One ampoule is diluted in 1 liter of water. If aloe grows at home, then 5 ml of juice can be squeezed out of it and diluted with 1 liter of water. This will also provide an efficient slurry.
VIDEO: 6 Natural fertilizers for indoor flowers and more
Today on the market you can find a variety of fertilizers for indoor plants. We will talk about natural fertilizers that are popular for feeding flowers at home. The most popular household fertilizers are sugar, banana peel, yeast, wood ash, eggshells, iodine, hydrogen peroxide, ammonia and succinic acid, to name a few.
All of them have their own characteristics and rules of use. The effectiveness of the use of natural home fertilizers causes heated debate and discussion among flower growers. Their reviews can be drastically different from each other. Therefore, for now, we can conclude that the use of home fertilizers is a purely individual matter.
We will try to shed light on some of the secrets of using such natural dressings.
We also invite our readers to a discussion and a balanced approach. Please share your experience with this or that fertilizer in the comments.
banana peel fertilizer
Very popular natural fertilizer for indoor plants and flowers. Banana peels, which are mercilessly thrown away by us, contain many nutrients, such as potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and nitrogen. Many housewives speak positively about this fertilizer and use it to feed cyclamen, violets, begonias and other plants.
There are several ways to prepare banana peel fertilizer.
- A clean banana peel is crushed, placed in a liter jar up to half and filled with water. Infuse for a day, then drain, bring the volume to 1 liter and water the houseplants. The main disadvantage of this method is the unpleasant smell of the infusion.
- A clean banana peel is dried (for example, in an oven or on a radiator). Then grind in a coffee grinder. The resulting powder is scattered over the top layer of soil in a pot, and then watered with water (about 1 time per month). Another use is to break dried banana skins into small pieces and place them in the bottom of the pot over the drainage during transplantation.
- Cleanly washed banana peel finely chopped and buried in the ground as deep as possible. The disadvantage of the method is that the decomposition of the peel does not occur so quickly. In addition, it is difficult to calculate the required amount of peel for a plant.
- Banana cocktail for spraying. For cooking, you need to mix the dried peel from 4 bananas with 2 tsp. eggshell powder (2-3 pieces) and 20 g of magnesium sulfate (magnesia). Dilute the resulting solution with 900 ml of water and shake well. The prepared composition must be stored in the refrigerator. It is recommended to spray plants once a week.
Plant nutrition with sugar
Common natural fertilizer. The main benefit of the application is that sugar is a source of glucose (obtained in the process of decay), which is so necessary for the basic life processes of plants.
To prepare a nutrient solution 1 tbsp. a spoonful of sugar is diluted in 500 ml of water. To simplify the procedure, you can simply sprinkle the soil in the plant pot with sugar, and then water in the usual way. It is recommended to feed indoor flowers with sugar no more than 1 time per month.
Considering that all the value in sugar for plants lies precisely in glucose, you can use ordinary glucose tablets, which are sold in pharmacies. The recommended ratio for the nutrient solution is 1 tablet of glucose per 1 liter of water. The frequency of feeding or spraying is also not more than 1 time per month.
Feeding with sugar is an excellent source of energy, as well as a builder for the plant. With only one caveat. Glucose is well absorbed only if carbon dioxide is present in the right amount. With its deficiency, sugar that has entered the soil can become a source of nutrition for various root rots, molds and other unhealthy processes.
Therefore, it makes sense to use sugar as a top dressing only in conjunction with one of the EM preparations (for example, Baikal EM-1). Preparations with effective microorganisms increase the amount of beneficial microflora in the soil, and the absorption of glucose increases markedly.
Fertilizing plants with dormant coffee
Immediately you need to make a reservation that not all indoor flowers love coffee. Sleeping coffee increases the acidity of the soil, and this is not required by all plants. Coffee top dressing is useful for azaleas, some types of lilies, rhododendrons, and some others.
In addition to acidity, drunk coffee has a good effect on soil structure. It becomes looser and lighter, and, consequently, the level of oxygen rises.
Tea brewing can become an analogue of coffee grounds. However, there is also a drawback here. She can attract black flies.
Fertilizing houseplants with wood ash
This is a unique fertilizer for both garden and indoor plants. Depending on the method by which it is obtained, the chemical composition of the ash may vary. However, any ash is an excellent source of trace elements, which are so necessary for the proper development of plants. These are potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc. Moreover, potassium and phosphorus are contained in the ash in an easily digestible form for plants, which distinguishes ash from other fertilizers.
Unlike potassium chloride(ready-made chemical preparation), ash does not acidify the soil. For many plants, this factor is decisive. For example, plants that do not tolerate an acidic environment can get sick from improper feeding. Wood ash is absolutely safe in this regard and can be an excellent substitute for mineral fertilizers.
Top dressing with wood ash improves the composition of the soil, making it looser. Ash contributes to the favorable development of microorganisms, as well as the formation of humus.
For the preparation of fertilizer you need 1 tbsp. dilute a spoonful of ash in 1 liter of water. Also, you can simply mix the ash with the soil when transplanting. This method will not only make the soil nutritious, but also protect the plant from infection.
Yeast fertilizer for indoor plants
Did you know that yeast is an excellent growth stimulant for houseplants? This is especially true for plants weakened as a result of a transplant or a disease, as well as during the flowering period.
Yeast secrete a huge amount of nutrients that stimulate the growth and flowering of plants - B vitamins, phytohormones, auxins and cytokinins.
Benefits of yeast supplements proven by scientists. As a result of their application, the activity of microorganisms in the soil and the release of carbon dioxide increase, which equates yeast top dressing to full-fledged mineral fertilizers. That is why this method is used by many professionals.
Preparation of yeast solution. Dissolve 10 grams of fresh yeast in 1 liter of slightly warm sweetened (1 tablespoon of sugar) water. The solution should be infused for about two hours. The resulting infusion should be diluted with water in a ratio of 1:5 and used for watering plants - in winter and autumn 1 time per month, in spring and summer 1 time in 10 days.
Other sourdough options. Fertilizers can be fermented using wheat grains, hops and ordinary bread. The general principle is to boil the main ingredient, add sugar and leave in a warm place to sour. Then this mass is diluted with water and used to fertilize plants.
Yeast top dressing has a beneficial effect on the root system of plants and increases the strength for flowering.
succinic acid
Succinic acid is obtained in the process of processing natural amber. This substance has a lot of useful properties, including for indoor plants. Outwardly, it looks like citric acid - a white powder with sourness. The use of succinic acid as a top dressing strengthens the immunity of flowers, helps in the absorption of nutrients. Succinic acid cannot be called a complete fertilizer. However, as an auxiliary substance, it is often used for rooting cuttings, when soaking seeds, as well as when watering and spraying.
Ficuses, begonias, chlorophytum, citrus fruits and fat women are especially fond of top dressing with succinic acid.
Important! Top dressing with succinic acid can be used no more than 1 time per year! Spraying can be done a little more often, but do not get carried away.
Eggshell
Eggshell is as popular a natural fertilizer for indoor plants as it is controversial. The fact is that the calcium contained in it is in a hard-to-reach form. In addition, not all indoor plants like calcium, and its excess can lead to chlorosis.
Therefore, feeding with eggshells should be started gradually, with small dosages.
Application methods. Eggshells are either mixed with the soil during transplantation or made into an infusion to water the plants.
I must say that this is a very controversial way to feed indoor flowers. Although the eggshell can perfectly cope with the function of drainage when planting.
Fertilizer with ammonia
Ammonia, or a solution of ammonia in water, is used by many as a nitrogen fertilizer. However, they must be used very carefully. Nitrogen is an essential element for the production of chlorophyll and plant growth. Ordinary organic matter entering the soil is not immediately absorbed. And ammonia is an emergency remedy and immediately replenishes the nitrogen deficiency. This substance is instantly absorbed by the plant without any processing by bacteria.
Ammonia is considered a kind of elixir for tired plants. By analogy with humans, ammonia "invigorates" the plant, "brings it to life."
Solution preparation. 1 st. dilute a spoonful of ammonia in 1 liter of water and water the plant.
To prepare the tincture, you need to take a handful of onion peel, pour 1 liter of boiling water and boil for 5 minutes. When the solution has cooled, you can water and spray the plants.
Castor oil supplement
Castor oil, oddly enough, is also considered a useful top dressing for plants. Such top dressing is especially effective on flowering plants during the setting of buds. For 1 liter of water, take 1 teaspoon of oil, shake well and water during flowering and fruiting.
I would be grateful for the feedback. Didn't use it myself. Although this method is described by many well-known flower growers. Also, this method is referred to as the old one.
Feeding with hydrogen peroxide
The disinfecting properties of hydrogen peroxide have been known for a long time. But it turns out that it is useful for plants too. For example, it is used to process peat for seedlings. Apparently, during the decomposition of peroxide, oxygen is released, which causes the formation of growth stimulants in the soil and the death of pathogenic microorganisms.
It is recommended to use for sluggish weakened plants as a growth stimulator. To do this, 20-25 ml of 3% peroxide is diluted in 1 liter of water. The resulting solution is watered and sprayed on the plant. The procedure can be repeated after a few days, until the revival effect appears.
Top dressing with iodine
Iodine is also an excellent growth stimulant. This microelement is useful not only to people, but also to plants. In microdoses, it has a beneficial effect on the appearance of the plant, helps it get out of a state of stress. To prepare the solution, you need to dissolve 1 drop of iodine in 1 liter of water at room temperature and pour it over the plant along the edge of the pot so as not to burn the roots. You don't need to water a lot. It is recommended to apply no more than 50 ml of the solution once. If the soil in the pot is too dry, you must first spill it with water.
Plant nutrition with aloe juice
Aloe is a wonderful immunomodulator. Many treatises have been written about its beneficial properties for humans. But it turns out that it is also good as a natural fertilizer for houseplants. It has been noticed that indoor flowers grow faster after feeding with aloe juice. To do this, you need to take 1 teaspoon of fresh aloe juice per 1 liter of water, and water the plants with this solution. If you take pharmacy juice in ampoules, then the nutrient solution is made in the proportion of 1 ml of juice per 1 liter of water. Such top dressing can be done once a month.
Some flower growers use this recipe: 6-7 branches of aloe should be cut into small pieces, put in a 3-liter jar and pour warm boiled water. Infuse for a week in a dark place. Then 200 g of the resulting infusion is diluted with three liters of water and indoor flowers are watered under the root.
Feeding plants with milk
A drink that brings great benefits to plants. Milk is a whole complex of useful substances - calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron, etc. Milk solution in a ratio of 1:10 is watered and sprayed with indoor flowers. After such milk dressings and baths, the metabolism of plants increases and resistance to fungal diseases increases.
Dairy dressings also have another feature. Almost all insects are lactose intolerant. Therefore, spraying with milk is a good protection against many pests. In addition, the resulting thin milky film on the leaves creates a barrier to the penetration of pathogens.
Many indoor plants (ferns, roses, etc.) love dairy top dressings, with the exception of succulents.
Plant nutrition with vitamin B
Vitamins are of no small importance not only for the proper functioning of humans, but also for plants. B vitamins have a positive effect on metabolism and the development of the root system. Studies have shown that the use of vitamin B helps the plant make better use of soil nutrients. And this in turn affects the faster growth and health of plants, the rapid germination of seeds, the formation of larger flowers.
Treatment of indoor plants with vitamin B is carried out both by watering and spraying. A positive effect is achieved with systematic use.
However, vitamin B should not be applied during the dormant period of plants. This is an excerpt from the book "Floriculture", G. E. Kiselev, second edition, corrected and supplemented, State Publishing House of Agricultural Literature, M. 1952, p. 92).
Mode of application. Dilute 1 ampoule of vitamin B1 (thiamine) in 1 liter of water at room temperature. Use a solution for soaking, watering and spraying.
Vitamin B3 (PP, nicotinic acid) is used for plant shock therapy. Diluted in the same proportion. Can be used simultaneously with other vitamins. However, not more than once every 10 days.
Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is a good immunostimulant. The dosage is the same, not more than 1 time in 10 days.
Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin, cobalamin). Its use is especially relevant in the autumn-winter period, when there is little light and not enough fresh air. The dosage is the same.
There are imported preparations with vitamin B1. After making the solution according to the instructions, you can water the plants with this solution (both seedlings and adult flowers as a top dressing).
Almost all plants respond well to vitamins. Petunias, violets and other flowers are very fond of such vitamin dressings.
Without belittling the role of full-fledged complex fertilizers, it must be admitted that interest in natural home fertilizers is noticeably increasing. People want to make the most of nature's possibilities by caring for their favorite plants.
The only thing worth adding - do not overdo it! Both deficiency and excess of nutrients can harm the plant and even cause their death.
There is a general rule for all indoor flowers - do not feed newly transplanted plants for two months. Fresh soil always has enough nutrients.
If you've had experience caring for your indoor flowers, please share! Tell us what plant nutrition you use.
Flowers - what could be more beautiful? Perhaps that is why we, summer residents, grow them not only in our garden plots, but also at home. It is especially pleasant when snow sweeps outside the window, and beautiful flowers bloom on the windowsill in the room, isn't it?
Today I propose to talk about an important nuance, without which it is problematic to grow healthy, beautiful ones - about natural dressings. And if in the country we always fertilize the plantings, then when it comes to home flowers, some top dressings are neglected. But in vain.
When to feed
Home flowers should be fed much more often than we sometimes think. This need is caused, first of all, by the limited area of plant nutrition. And even if your flowering pet grows in a large, spacious pot, this does not mean that it lacks minerals. The plant in any case strongly depletes the earth, therefore, it needs additional feeding.
Part of the way out of the situation will be a periodic transplant into a new nutrient soil substrate. But the supply of nutrients contained in this very substrate will be enough for about two months, but not for six months or a year, as many beginner flower growers believe. And after these very two months, the plant, especially if it begins to bloom or actively grow, must be fed. The only exception will be specimens that have entered a dormant period: they temporarily do not need additional nutrition.
The signal that you need to urgently start feeding home flowers will be the following signs:
- slow growth;
- weak elongated stems;
- pale, slightly colored, excessively small, drooping leaves;
- unwillingness to bloom;
- low resistance to diseases, yellowing and dropping of leaves, the appearance of various spots on them and other signs of ill health.
Of course, it is better not to bring green pets to such a state. Therefore, let's talk about what natural fertilizers we can use for our pets, and how exactly.
Sugar
Perhaps the most popular natural fertilizer for feeding indoor flowers is ordinary sugar. Yes, yes, it is sugar, I did not make a reservation!
Who first guessed to use it as a fertilizer for plants, history is silent, but we can successfully use it to feed our own flowers.
Benefits of sugar supplements
We remember from chemistry lessons that sugar breaks down into fructose and glucose. The first one is useless to us, but the second, that is, glucose, performs 2 functions at once. First of all, it serves as a source of energy for all life processes of plants (respiration, absorption of various nutrients, and so on); secondly, glucose is a building material necessary for the formation of complex organic molecules.True, there is one caveat: glucose is an excellent builder only if it is well absorbed, which, in turn, requires carbon dioxide. With insufficient concentration of carbon dioxide, sugar will turn from a builder into a food source for mold, root rot, and so on. Therefore, together with sugar dressings, it is very desirable to use one of (for example, "") - such a combination will be 100% good. To prepare top dressing, dilute 1 tbsp. a spoonful of sugar in 0.5 liters of water, or simply sprinkle sugar on the ground in a flower pot, and then water.
Such top dressing of home flowers should be resorted to no more than once a month, so do not overdo it.
When feeding house plants, do not overdo it-everything is good in moderation
Instead of sugar, you can also take ordinary glucose, which is sold in a pharmacy - such top dressing will be even more effective. One tablet of glucose should be diluted in a liter of water. It is also necessary to water or spray the plants with “glucose” water no more than once a month.
drunk coffee
An excellent fertilizer for all home (and not only) flowers - it is all the more convenient that it does not need to be specially prepared. Simply, after drinking a cup of fragrant drink, do not pour out the coffee grounds, but mix it with the ground in a flowerpot.
Thanks to this simple technique, the soil will become looser and lighter, the acidity of the soil will increase, and there will be more oxygen in it. When using spent coffee as a top dressing for home flowers, remember: not all plants have a good effect on increasing the acidity of the soil. And do not forget about the green pets in the flower garden: this fertilizer will benefit:
- all kinds;
- and other evergreens.
For fertilizing home flowers, tea leaves are often used. Unfortunately, it can give not only a positive, but also a negative effect. Undoubtedly, such additives will make the soil in the flower pot looser, but do not forget that tea leaves in the soil are simply “adored” by black flies (sciarids), so be careful.
Citrus and other fruits
The peels of tangerines, oranges and bananas can turn into an excellent fertilizer for houseplants. True, for this they will have to “conjure” a little. To prepare fertilizer from citrus fruits, their peel must be crushed, filled with about a third of a liter jar and pour boiling water to the top. After insisting such a “citrus” fertilizer for a day, we take out the peels, again bring the water in the jar to a liter in volume, adding clean water, and water our flowers.
Fertilizer from banana peels is prepared in approximately the same way: grind them, fill a liter jar to half and fill it to the top with water. We insist for a day, after which we filter, discard the peel, and again fill the jar to the top with clean water.
