A Complete Guide to Fertilizing Flowers and Trees: Methods and Precautions

In the process of growing flowers and trees, fertilizers are generally used to make them grow better and more luxuriantly and produce more blooms. However, the fertilization methods and key points differ for different types of flowers and trees and at different growth stages, and there are also some precautions to keep in mind. Let's take a look together at what fertilization methods and precautions there are for flowers and trees?

I. Fertilization Methods for Flowers and Trees

1. Urea and ammonium sulfate

Urea and ammonium sulfate are quick-acting nitrogen fertilizers with strong fertility and fast results, but their effective period is not long. Urea is slightly alkaline and is suitable for flowers in the north.

Ammonium sulfate turns acidic after being applied to the soil, so it is suitable for flowers in the south. When using it, it is best to dilute it with 1000-1500 times water and then water the plants with it. Do not broadcast it in pots, otherwise the excessive application rate will “burn” the flowers and trees to death.

2. Potassium dihydrogen phosphate

Potassium dihydrogen phosphate is an advanced quick-acting phosphorus-potassium fertilizer. It is odorless and tasteless, with remarkable fertilizer efficiency, and has a notable effect on the growth of ornamental flowers such as chrysanthemums, Chinese roses, dahlias and kumquats.

When applying it, it should be dissolved in 500-1000 times water for dilution.

Flower fertilization: fertilization methods for four common flowers, so that your flowers can also be incomparably beautiful.

3. Superphosphate

Urea and ammonium sulfate are a quick-acting phosphorus fertilizer with a slightly acidic reaction and relatively mild fertilizer strength. When using it, it can be mixed with potting soil at 1:100, or scattered into flower beds and flower borders before planting and then turned into the soil as a base fertilizer.

For topdressing, first add 30-100 times water, soak for a day and a night, then take the clear liquid on top for watering.

4. Boric acid and boron

Boric acid and boron have a remarkable effect on promoting flower bud differentiation, nurturing flower buds and preventing fruit drop. A 2000-2500 times diluted boric acid solution can be sprayed on the plants several times before and after bud formation.

5. Ferrous sulfate

When growing acid-soil flowers from the south in the north, ferrous sulfate is used because the leaves often turn yellow and fall off. To prevent leaf yellowing, a 500-times diluted ferrous sulfate solution can be watered in regularly, once every 15-20 days.

II. Precautions for Fertilizing Flowers and Trees

1. Fertilize according to the purpose

Fertilization should not be done blindly or at random; it must be analyzed and summarized scientifically and systematically. If you want to obtain abundant mineral nutrients, apply fertilizer in a concentrated and layered way, close to the root system, combining slow-release and quick-acting fertilizers, organic fertilizers and mineral fertilizers, and base fertilizers and topdressing. If the goal is to improve the soil, lime can be used to improve acidic soil, sulfur can be used to improve alkaline soil, and so on. Fertilizing purposefully and in a targeted way is like treating the right disease with the right medicine, achieving twice the result with half the effort.

2. Fertilize according to the tree

Trees need different nutrient elements at different growth stages. Throughout their entire growth period they need nitrogen fertilizer, but the amount needed varies: it gradually increases with the growth of new shoots and decreases when new shoot growth ends and the trunk thickens. At that time, applying more phosphorus fertilizer helps accumulate nutrients in the plant and prompts buds to differentiate rapidly into flower buds. When trees are flowering, setting fruit and developing fruit, although they urgently need various nutrient elements, potassium fertilizer is especially important at this time, as it can strengthen plant growth and promote flower bud differentiation. In the later stage of tree growth, the demand for nitrogen and water is generally very low, so watering and fertilization should be controlled.