What are the methods and precautions for fertilizing flowers?

Many friends grow flowers. For flowers to grow well, fertilizing is very important. Today I will share with you the methods and precautions for fertilizing flowers.

Fertilizing flowers is fairly complex. The general principles to follow are: the amount of fertilizer should be small with frequent applications; inorganic chemical fertilizers must not be broadcast or come into contact with the base of the stem; organic fertilizers must be composted and decomposed before use; in summer, when the weather is hot and humid and plants are growing vigorously, apply more; in winter, when temperatures are low and light is weak and plants grow slowly, apply less; after heavy rain, or when leaves are yellow-green and dull and the plant lacks nutrients, apply a timely supplementary feeding, and so on. Fertilizing methods for different situations are as follows:

1. Base fertilizer for flowers - for large-scale field planting of flowers or nutrient seedling beds, decomposed organic fertilizer is mostly used. The base fertilizer application rate is 1500-3000 jin/mu; if cake fertilizer, bone meal, dried livestock manure, etc. are used instead, the rate is 100-200 jin/mu, or simultaneously mix in 20-40 jin/mu of biological fertilizer. When preparing the land, incorporate it evenly into the soil, and planting can be done several days later. Nutrient seedling beds mostly use highly adsorbent media such as peat; add an appropriate amount of nutrient elements before planting seedlings, let them adsorb, and then plant, or at the same time add 0.001-1 ppm of the trace elements manganese, iron, zinc, boron, copper and molybdenum.

2. Topdressing for potted flowers - because the medium capacity in pots is limited, potted flowers need to be supplied with various nutrients at any time. For seedlings that have turned green and produced new leaves, topdressing should begin; the amount of topdressing depends on pot size. Apply 40-60 granules of compound fertilizer per pot each time (imported compound fertilizer); for seedlings that are already growing vigorously, apply 100-120 granules per pot each time, twice a month, plus 5-8 sprays of formulated liquid fertilizer. If there is heavy rain, one supplementary topdressing should also be applied. Topdressing should be applied around the edge of the pot, as far from the stem base as possible, and especially the fertilizer granules must not fall into the center of whorled leaves (such as Dracaena species, Bromeliaceae species, etc.). If flower forcing is needed, spray 0.2% potassium dihydrogen phosphate to speed up flower bud development and make it stronger, generally once every 3-5 days.

Topdressing methods for different types of potted flowers:

① Topdressing for bulbous and succulent flowers - because bulbs and succulent stems can store nutrients and the root systems are relatively few, the topdressing amount can be half the normal amount. Since they have relatively high requirements for nitrogen, potassium and calcium, when using formulated liquid fertilizer, mainly use potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate in combination.

② Topdressing for fibrous-rooted flowers - such flowers need to be planted in loose media, such as Rhododendron hybridum and ornamental bromeliads. Topdressing requires small amounts with frequent applications; the topdressing amount is 1/5-1/4 of the normal amount, that is, 15-30 granules of compound fertilizer per pot each time is enough.

③ Topdressing for large-leaved shade-loving foliage flowers - these flowers grow rapidly, have well-developed root systems and need a lot of fertilizer, such as Aglaonema and other Araceae plants. In addition to the normal amount twice a month, with 100-120 granules of compound fertilizer each time, also add 5-8 sprays of formulated liquid fertilizer.

④ Topdressing for bonsai - the characteristics of bonsai fertilization are that the amount should be small and the fertilizer effect should last long. Generally, slow-release organic fertilizers such as bone meal and cake fertilizer are used as the main body, mixed with slowly released urea-formaldehyde, phosphate rock powder, etc. and a small amount of fertilizer. If there is no ready-made special fertilizer for bonsai, commercially available flower fertilizer can be rolled in olive oil or wrapped with plastic film and treated with liquid, so that it achieves sustained and long-lasting effect; then shallowly bury the fertilizer under the substrate at the edge of the pot. For large-scale bonsai production, the formulated liquid fertilizer spraying method can be used, spraying once every 3-5 days, with an alternate watering to wash out salts.

When the pot soil cannot maintain normal flower growth, conditions such as yellowing leaves, thin and weak branches, sparse flowers and small fruits will appear, and then fertilization is needed. But fertilization must be based on the flower variety, habits, purpose of fertilization, and the missing elements to determine the type, amount, frequency and method of fertilizer application.

For home flower growing, it can be divided into courtyard planting (that is, open-field planting) and pot planting, and fertilization should also differ. Although courtyard planting differs from field planting, the ground temperature is high, the area is large, and water and fertilizer absorption are convenient, so the frequency of fertilizing and watering can be less, and slightly stronger fertilizer will not cause fertilizer damage for a while. Pot planting is different. Due to environmental limitations, on the one hand it cannot lack fertilizer, to prevent deficiency symptoms; on the other hand it is necessary to prevent too much fertilizer, which causes fertilizer damage to the plant and affects normal plant growth.

Plant habits also differ between those that like fertilizer and those tolerant of barren soil. For example, fertilizer-loving plants such as citrus, Nandina domestica, pomegranate and Epiphyllum should be fertilized more; while barren-tolerant plants such as rhododendron, black pine and five-needle pine should be given light fertilizer. Because rhododendron has fine roots and weak fertilizer absorption, too much fertilizer harms it instead, while too little fertilizer affects flowering.

To fertilize, you must first understand the types of fertilizers and their functions. The basic nutrients for flowers are the three elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium:

1. Nitrogen fertilizer: can promote luxuriant branches and leaves and increase the flowering rate. Common nitrogen fertilizers include human manure and urine, ammonium sulfate, etc.

2. Phosphorus fertilizer: can make flower colors bright and fruits plump. Common phosphorus fertilizers include rice bran, fish scales, bone meal, chicken manure, superphosphate, etc.

3. Potassium fertilizer: can make the root system grow robustly, enhance the resistance of flowers to pests, diseases, cold and heat, and can also increase the fragrance of flowers. Common potassium fertilizers include rice straw ash, plant ash, potassium sulfate, etc.