Simple household tips for flower gardening: get lush, overflowing pots without making compost
Epsom salt
Epsom salt is magnesium sulfate, a medicine used in pharmacies to treat constipation, and it can also be bought at flower markets.
Benefits and how to use:
Many flowers have leaves that are neither green nor attractive, showing as faded or purplish leaf color; this problem is common in flowers such as Chinese roses, roses, and azaleas.
Spray a 1 percent magnesium sulfate solution (4 liters of water plus one small spoon of Epsom salt) on the leaves once a month to prevent and treat magnesium deficiency and keep the leaves fresh and green.
Eggshells
Every household has eggshells; saving them every day is definitely a good habit for anyone who grows flowers.
Benefits and how to use:
The calcium and phosphorus in eggshells are essential elements for vigorous plant growth; when these two elements are lacking, flowers not only bloom poorly and are prone to root rot, but their growth is also stunted.
To use them, dry the eggshells, heat them briefly in a microwave, crush them into powder, and use as a base fertilizer, or bury them around the edge of the pot to prevent calcium and phosphorus deficiency, resulting in more and brighter blooms. They also have the benefit of improving the acidity and alkalinity of the potting soil.
White vinegar
White vinegar is a common household seasoning, and it also has unique benefits for growing flowers.
Benefits and how to use:
The trace elements in white vinegar also help plant growth. When growing flowers, use it to improve the acidity and alkalinity of the soil; it is safe, effective, and easy to use.
Add two small drops of white vinegar to one mineral water bottle's worth of water, and water the flowers once every three months to keep the soil acidic and also prevent and reduce disease. For many foliage plants, wiping the leaves with a white vinegar solution can promote healthy, glossy leaves.
Banana peels
Bananas are one of the most common everyday fruits; although many flower lovers know that banana peels can be used for growing flowers, they may not know the following.
Benefits and how to use:
Banana peels are a natural potassium fertilizer material, and potassium is one of the flower fertilizers most commonly needed for growing flowers. When plants lack potassium, growth and nutrient uptake are affected, and leaves develop spots, curl, or wrinkle.
Banana peels can be used to make compost, but it takes a long time, and many flower lovers do not like making compost at home. Cut the banana peels into small pieces and sun-dry them, or dry them at low temperature in an oven, then after cooling, grind them into powder with a blender or by hand.
When fertilizing, take a small amount and sprinkle it around the edge of the flower pot, then water.
Aquarium water
For households that keep fish, the water changed out from the aquarium can be used to water flowers; it not only saves water resources but is also very good for plants.
Benefits and how to use:
Aquarium water not only lacks the chlorine of tap water but also contains fish waste, making it a fairly ideal water for watering flowers.
However, the acidity and alkalinity of aquarium water change with the fish, filter media, and other factors, so it is best to test the acidity and alkalinity with test strips; if it is on the alkaline side, do not use it to water acid-loving plants.
As long as the difference between the water temperature and the air temperature is not very large, it can be used directly to water flowers.
Besides aquarium water, for the other several items, be sure to pay attention to the amount used; better less than more.