Food for Potted Plants

Hello! Today, I want to dig into an often-overlooked aspect of nurturing our beloved potted plants: fertilization. As a cut flower grower, I find myself lacking when it comes to feeding container plants. Traditional flower farming courses don't typically cover this territory.

The nursery industry has a wealth of knowledge about plant fertilization, but finding information online can be challenging. That's why I'm excited to share some of my go-to fertilizers for container plants—tips and tricks I've picked up along my journey to better feeding practices.

Slow Release Fertilizer

One of our preferred fertilizers is Osmocote, a slow-release granular fertilizer perfect for our larger potted friends destined for long-term growth. Its water-activated formula makes it easy to incorporate into your soil mix, providing a steady supply of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium over three to four months. This reliable feeding schedule takes away the guesswork and ensures our plants remain nourished even during our busiest times.

For those looking to extend their feeding schedule, Osmocote also offers options lasting five to six months and more. This versatility makes it a fantastic choice for plants like roses, dahlias, eucalyptus, and even some large ferns, especially when they're housed in large containers like seven-gallon pots.

Navigating Soilless Mixes

When using soilless mixes like Pro Mix, remember these do not come pre-loaded with nutrients. Even if you supplement with compost, your plants will eventually consume all available nutrients. Regular repotting and feeding when switching containers help maintain their health and vitality.

Exploring Calcium Options

For those with water low in calcium, adding calcium nitrate can be helpful. Offering structural support to plant cells, calcium helps create sturdier, more resilient plants. While our local water is rich in calcium, making it unnecessary for my setup, calcium nitrate is an excellent fertilizer for those needing to supplement this nutrient.

Liquid Plant Fertilizers

I also frequently use liquid fertilizers. Schultz Liquid Plant Fertilizer, with its easy-to-use concentrate, is ideal for plants like agapanthus. A handy tip: label your fertilizer bottles with their uses and application rates to prevent any mix-ups.

Similarly, Bonide Liquid Plant Food with its balanced 10-10-10 ratio suits a variety of plants. We use it for our potted eucalyptus, adding a teaspoon per gallon of water.

Quick Note on Field Crop Fertilizer

While the products I've discussed aren't organic, I still ensure our field crops receive an organic treatment. We use homemade compost, and occasionally supplement it with Nature's Intent formula, which comes in bulk bags. Organic options like these are excellent for maintaining the health of your field plants.

Final Thoughts

What works for one plant may not work for another. I suggest doing a Google search to find out the preferred fertilizing ratio for your specific potted plants, particularly if you're working with soilless mixes. Always follow recommended rates to keep your plants healthy and thriving.

These fertilizers offer varying nutrient ratios, like the 15-9-12 ratio of Osmocote or the calcium-focused formula of calcium nitrate, ensuring there's an option for every plant's needs.

I hope this guide helps you on your journey to mastering potted plant fertilization. Please reach out with any questions, and happy growing!