How To Fertilize Greenhouse Plants
Betty Bradley
A newly potted plant will need some time so that it can grow new roots in order to absorb or take in the fertilizer that you apply.
How you fertilize and what type of fertilizer you use is dependent on what kinds of plants or crop you grow in your greenhouse, because every crop has a particular requirement with regards to nutrients, and this requirement should be met.
For house plants, it is usually much easier to fertilize a large group together. Generally, plants need to be fertilized every one or two months while there is rapid growth, and only once or twice throughout the winter season.
Alternatively, you can apply the fertilizer more frequently when using a liquid fertilizer diluted in water; this allows you to fertilize certain plants that might otherwise be injured if you use a full strength fertilizer . Generally half of the recommended strength or dosage means that you use only half fertilizer in every plant.
Annual plants grow very rapidly and will require fertilization every two weeks throughout their “short season”. A few flowering plants such as Azaleas must not be given fertilizer while in their blooming or flowering stage.
Most fertilizers that are generally used have considerable amount of nitrogen (50 percent); they contain the preferred amount of nitrate f and are usually labeled and identified as “peat-lite”. This type is preferred and recommended for greenhouse hobby use. The N-P-K ratio can be verified by reading the label that is found on the fertilizer bag.
Fertilizers are usually applied at the amount or ratio of “200 ppm nitrogen” fertilizer like “21-5-20” or “20-10-20”. This is completed by continuous liquid application; this ratio is the basis for mostly all pot grown “greenhouse plants”. The rate may be adjusted downward or upward depending on the plant that is grown.
Any pre-mixed or ready to use mixture of fertilizer for the kind of plants that you grow is acceptable; for most flowering and foliar plants. An N-P-K ratio analysis that is similar to “1-2-1” will supply a balanced growth.
Soluble fertilizers can be conveniently applied and will deliver faster results compared to solid fertilizers or “slow release” gravel-like fertilizers. Just apply the solution in a manner like you are watering your plants, however, instead of water, use the fertilizer solution, making certain that the plant soil is slightly moist before application. You should never apply fertilizer solution onto plants with dry soil. The roots can be injured by the fertilizer chemicals; moist soil further dilutes the chemicals.
Apply fertilizers using a much weaker dose than the suggested dilution strength, and not stronger, for seedlings, newly established cuttings, and developing plants will derive benefit from much weaker solutions; Using stronger solutions will only injure young and soft roots.
There are many injections or siphon devices available on the market to make application of soluble fertilizers much easier; however, when you use them, be certain that you install “backflow preventers” in order to keep the nutrients or chemicals in the fertilizer solution from contaminating your water supply in the home. Likewise do not water your plants with a “water-softened” water due to its “high salt” content.
Recommended fertilizer products
A mixture of floramicro, florabloom and floragro, will enable you to combine a wide range of many different nutrient blends or solutions in order to fulfill the specific requirement of virtually any kind of plant that you grow, and at different stages of the plants life.
This is accomplished by changing the mixture combinations as well as the general strength of your solution. You can combine different ratios and different strength of nutrients by adjusting the water quantity when blending floragro, floramicro and florabloom.
Calcium Nitrate in Greenhouse Grade may be used in large scale growing. It can be economical to buy fertilizers in 50-pound quantities. Calcium Nitrate in Greenhouse Grade and Hydro-Gro are great combinations to achieve a complete nutrient blend.
Greenhouse plants need your attention. Check on them each day to be sure that they are free from disease and pests and act immediately if there is any problem. It is a wise idea to know the characteristics of each type of plant that you grow in your greenhouse. Have fun taking care of your plants!
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