Common Methods and Precautions for Making Flower Fertilizer

Making flower fertilizer means using common kitchen scraps and waste from daily life, which after fermentation or simple processing are turned into fertilizer that can be used for flowers. This method has low cost, a wide range of sources, and can also reduce the amount of garbage produced, so it is welcomed by many flower-growing enthusiasts.

Common raw materials can roughly be divided into several types: fruit peels, vegetable leaves, soybean residue and others contain more nitrogen, making them suitable for use during the plant growth stage; eggshells, bone meal and others are rich in phosphorus and calcium, which help flowering and root development; plant ash, on the other hand, has a high potassium content and can enhance plant resistance. The nutrients provided by different raw materials each have their own emphasis, and they can be used in combinations according to the growth stages of the flowers.

The main production method is fermentation and composting. After chopping the raw materials, put them into a container, add water, seal it, and place it in a warm spot to ferment. During this period, the gas can occasionally be released. Generally, a relatively long time is needed for it to fully decompose. Eggshells can also be washed, sun-dried and crushed, or animal bones can be braised and made into bone charcoal, then mixed into potting soil for use as a slow-release base fertilizer.

It should be noted that directly applying unrotted fertilizer can easily cause secondary fermentation in the pot, generating heat and attracting pests, and in severe cases burning the roots. Therefore, liquid fertilizer should be diluted before watering, and solid fertilizer should be buried shallowly in small amounts, avoiding the plant's main roots. Only by mastering the principles of full decomposition and frequent application of thin fertilizer can homemade flower fertilizer be safe and effective.