How to Make Foliar Fertilizer for Pothos? A Detailed Guide to the Mixing Method
Pothos, also known as devil's ivy, golden pothos, golden vine, etc., is a large evergreen climbing plant of the genus Epipremnum. Because it survives as soon as it touches water and has extremely strong vitality, it has another name, the "flower of life." It is very easy to grow and only needs plenty of water, but plants cannot do without the nourishment of fertilizer. Let's take a look below at how to make foliar fertilizer for pothos!
How to Apply Foliar Fertilizer to Pothos?
Fertilizing is essential when growing pothos. A mix of soil and wood shavings works best, and a compound fertilizer such as a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer can be used as a base fertilizer. For foliar fertilizer, pothos should be given a fertilizer specially formulated for foliage plants and flowers. Applying it once every 10 to 15 days can promote strong roots, stems and leaves. Each time, spray toward the underside of the leaves, and stop spraying once they are moist.
How to Make Foliar Fertilizer for Pothos?
[Materials] 1 g of monopotassium phosphate, 1 g of urea, 1000 g of clean water.
[Preparation] Put 1 g each of monopotassium phosphate and urea into 1000 g of water, then stir until fully dissolved.
How Should Pothos Be Grown to Thrive?
1. Light: Pothos does not have a strong tendency to lean toward the sun. However, in northern regions during autumn and winter, light intensity should be increased to make up for the lack of temperature and photosynthesis. At the same time, when temperatures are low, open windows as little as possible, because leaves can be frostbitten in an extremely short time.
2. Humidity: Pothos grows faster in environments with higher air humidity. It is recommended to maintain indoor humidity; you can use a humidifier to increase air humidity, or cover the plant with a transparent plastic bag to create a mini-greenhouse effect, but this should not exceed two hours.
3. Temperature: Pothos is very sensitive to temperature, and it is easily frostbitten when the temperature is too low. A room temperature of around 20 degrees is sufficient. If heating equipment is in use, the leaves of the pothos should not be too close to it. Keeping the indoor temperature above 10 degrees is enough for it to safely get through winter.
4. Fertilizing: Because pothos grown indoors absorbs less nutrients than it would outdoors, it is recommended to apply fertilizer once every half month. You can buy fertilizer specially made for pothos on the market, or ask the florist to help choose a fertilizer.
5. Watering: When watering pothos, do not pour water directly into the pot. Instead, first pour the water in slowly, and after it seeps down, spray evenly and wait for the water to penetrate. In addition, water should also be sprayed at the places where aerial roots grow, to reduce insufficient water uptake by the roots caused by overly rapid evaporation.
6. Shaping: Shaping and pruning of pothos is carried out in spring. When the stems and vines have covered the moss pole and the tips extend about 20 cm beyond the moss pole, cut 40 cm off the stem tips of 2 to 3 of the plants. After new buds and new leaves sprout following the cutting back, cut off the stem tips of the remaining plants.
7. Pests and diseases: Pothos plants are very susceptible to problems with pests and pathogens. Typical pests affecting pothos include mealybugs, red spider mites, scale insects, etc. Mealybugs are usually the most common, and can be controlled using alcohol, removed with a cotton swab, or picked off by hand.