The Correct Methods and Taboos of Fertilizing Flowers

Scientific and reasonable fertilization is important for the growth of flowers and directly affects how the flowers grow. The following is an introduction for reference.

The Do's of Fertilizing Flowers

(1) Fertilize according to category. Foliage plants should be given more nitrogen fertilizer to keep the leaves tender and green; flowering and fruiting plants should be given more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to make the plants bloom and bear fruit earlier; bulbous plants should be given more potassium fertilizer to help the bulbs fill out.

(2) Fertilize at the right time. When the leaves of the flowers are found to be turning pale and growth is slowing down, that is the most appropriate time to fertilize. Apply different fertilizers and different amounts according to the different growth stages of the flowers. For example, at the seedling stage, mainly apply nitrogen fertilizer, using the method of light fertilizer applied frequently, to promote fast and robust growth of the seedlings; after the plants are established, the fertilizer concentration can be appropriately increased, and more phosphorus and potassium fertilizer can be added.

(3) Combine base fertilizer with top dressing. Base fertilizer is mainly organic fertilizer, which supplies nutrients for a long time and in a stable way, and can improve soil structure and physical and chemical properties, and raise soil fertility. Top dressing is mainly chemical fertilizer, which has the characteristics of containing many nutrients, acting quickly, and supplying nutrients in large amounts, and is a necessary supplement to base fertilizer.

(4) Apply nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer evenly. For example, applying too much nitrogen fertilizer alone easily causes excessive growth of branches and leaves and delays flowering or prevents flowering; applying too much phosphorus fertilizer alone inhibits the absorption of nitrogen and potassium, makes the plant grow poorly, and easily causes iron and zinc deficiency; applying too much potassium fertilizer alone inhibits the plant's vegetative growth and causes magnesium deficiency.

(5) Fertilize when the soil is moist. Fertilizing when the soil is dry easily causes the branches and leaves of the flowers to lose water physiologically and wilt, and in serious cases can cause the plant to die. On the contrary, fertilizing on rainy days, because the soil water content is high and its ability to absorb and retain fertilizer is poor, the fertilizer is easily washed away by rain, and it can also cause excessive growth of branches and leaves.

(6) Apply foliar fertilizer as appropriate. During the period of vigorous growth of the plant or when trace elements are lacking, spraying foliar fertilizer as appropriate can promptly supplement the insufficiency of nutrients absorbed by the flower roots. However, for foliar top dressing, the concentration must be strictly controlled to avoid burning the leaves.

(7) Cover with an appropriate amount of soil after fertilizing. Many people are used to applying fertilizer on the surface soil layer. This not only easily causes the fertilizer to volatilize and be lost, but also burns the root system. Especially in hot and dry weather, volatilization is faster and root damage is more serious. Therefore, after fertilizing, an appropriate amount of soil should be covered to prevent loss of fertilizer nutrients and improve fertilizer efficiency.

The Don'ts of Fertilizing Flowers

(1) Fertilizing newly planted plants. Newly planted plants have many wounds on their root systems. If stimulated by the outside, the wounds are not easy to heal, which will cause root rot and may even lead to the death of the plant.

(2) Fertilizing diseased and weak plants. Diseased and weak plants have weak growth vigor, poor photosynthesis, slow metabolism, and low ability to absorb fertilizer. If fertilizer is applied indiscriminately, it is instead easy to cause fertilizer damage.

(3) Fertilizing during the flowering period. Fertilizing during the flowering period will promote excessive vegetative growth of the plant, easily causing excessive growth and resulting in bud drop and flower drop.

(4) Fertilizing during the dormant period. Flowers stop or slow their growth during the dormant period. If fertilizer is applied, it will break the dormancy, prompt the plant to continue growing, and affect flowering the following year.

(5) Fertilizing directly under the root crown. When planting flowers, the plant roots must not be placed directly on the base fertilizer. Instead, a layer of soil should be added on top of the fertilizer. Otherwise, it is not only unfavorable for the fertilizer to be fully absorbed and used, but it also damages the root system. In addition, when top dressing, depending on the growth of the plant, it should be applied in holes at an appropriate distance from the roots to facilitate absorption by the root system.

(7) Applying concentrated fertilizer. When fertilizing flowers, the amount of fertilizer must be strictly controlled. Avoid too high a concentration or too large an amount, otherwise it will burn the plant's root system and, in serious cases, cause death. Generally, the method of light fertilizer applied frequently should be followed.

(6) Applying raw fertilizer. Applying organic fertilizer that has not been fully decomposed to flowers not only easily spreads pests and diseases, but the organic fertilizer will ferment and generate heat during the decomposition process, burning the plant's root system.