Spring is approaching and the garden, balcony and terrace season begins with it. And with warmer weather, plants need more care again to flower and thrive. The easiest way to help green pets is to use fertilizers because they provide them with nutrients and strengthen their defenses. The choice in the garden or hardware store is huge. There are fertilizeras granules, ie solid, liquid or as sticks. liquid fertilizer have been on the rise in recent years because of their ease of use.

Fertilizing is not magic

Only plants that have been standing for a few months should be fertilized, whether on the balcony, the terrace or in the room. So those that are the nutrients of potting soilhave already recorded most of it – so you have to freshen up earthpotted plants can not be fertilized immediately. The plant absorbs the nutrients directly from the soil. For all the rest, with water alone, even the most unpretentious plants only lead a sad existence!

Liquid fertilizers are practical and easy

Liquid fertilizers are added to the irrigation water. This gives the plant the necessary nutrients right from the pouring process. As with „normal“ watering, the water-fertilizer mixture should not hit leaves or tubers. Since the liquid fertilizer Evenly distributed in the soil, all roots can take up the fertilizer, virtually an „immediate all-round supply“. Decisive for the success of fertilizing is the correct dosage of the product. The right mixing ratio between water and liquid fertilizer can be found on the packaging. The motto here should be: „Less is more!“ If the plant gets too much fertilizer, it is overwhelmed with good „food“ and refuses to eat, so it is almost on a hunger strike, which can lead to the ingestion of the plant. In addition to the wrong mixing ratio, well-meant „over-fertilizing“ can lead to damage. In the growing season, plants should not be fed more than once a week with nutrients. Orchids and roses even rarer and best with special fertilizers.

Ingredients of liquid fertilizers – the menu for the plant

Liquid fertilizers belong to the so-called NPK fertilizers, ie the complete fertilizers. The ratio of the three ingredients nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) is indicated on the package. Great differences in the composition of liquid fertilizer However, individual manufacturers are not found. Common conditions in green plants are 7-3-6 or 15-5-20, in flowering plants 7-6-8 or 6-8-7. It is true that the higher the proportion in the product, the less fertilizer you need. The expensive branded product does not necessarily have to be better than the discounterware. The plant shows in its appearance what you „get“.
Nitrogen needs the plant for generative and vegetative growth. Phosphorus is responsible for flower and fruit formation, but also stimulates root growth. By strengthening the cell walls, potassium provides more plant resistance. Other important plant nutrients are, for example, calcium, magnesium or sulfur. Trace elements such as copper, zinc or iron are also in the liquid fertilizer contain.

Mineral or organic fertilizer

This distinction relates to the production. As a rule, mineral fertilizers are understood to be artificial fertilizers; The term organic fertilizer refers to agricultural waste products that are reused or reused. The latter include manure, manure, guano or composted plant residues. Artificial fertilizer or mineral fertilizer is produced industrially, ie „artificial“. Unlike organic fertilizer, this inorganic fertilizer does not form humus. The nutrients are quickly available to the plants. Organic fertilizer generally serves to improve soil quality. Its effect is long term. The important components of plants nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are also included in the natural product, but in smaller quantities.

Conclusion: Even plants need more than water to live. With correct dosage of the liquid fertilizer they „thank“ you by splendid flourishing.