How and how to feed flowers on the balcony

Abundant flowering, attractive color, and shape of flowers or leaves encourage buying and planting plants on balconies, loggias, and terraces. However, for these plants to bloom intensively throughout the season, it is necessary to water and ensures proper growing conditions. Above all, a regular supply of appropriate nutrients.

The soil in a pot contains a small number of mineral compounds (elements), which are quickly depleted.

Fertilization fills the deficiency, allowing plants to constantly consume the nutrients necessary for healthy growth and abundant flowering.

How and how to feed balcony flowers, so they bloom and look beautiful throughout the season.

Why fertilize balcony flowers

In season, balcony flowers decorate balconies and loggias, turning them into real flower corners in the concrete jungle.

Most plants grown are seasonal, the task of which is to bloom long and profusely or develop numerous ornamental leaves.

Unfortunately, this is an exhausting task, so plants need to provide a constant supply of energy in the form of fertilizers to perform.

Most flowering balcony plants come from mild, sunny climates that need nutrient-rich soil. It is from the soil that flowers receive energy for abundant flowering.

Therefore, providing conditions as close as possible to needs is the basis for successful cultivation.

Systematic top dressing is also important because the amount of substrate is limited when grown in containers.

When to start fertilizing balcony flowers

Most of the nutrients for plants grown in containers are consumed quickly through the intensively developing mass of leaves and the formation of buds and flowers.

A starting dose of fertilizer is already included when purchased from a garden center or planted in fresh soil. Therefore, no need to fertilize for 3-4 weeks. The plants will take root during this time, and intensive vegetation will begin.

After the initial period of use of nutrients from the substrate by the plants, the top dressing should be started using multi-component fertilizers intended for flowering plants or specially formulated fertilizers for individual species.

Fertilizers for plants – types

The choice of fertilizers is so large that you can get confused. Therefore, you need to know what to look for. Fertilizers for balcony plants are divided into four main groups.

Fertilizers for green plants

This group of fertilizers is intended for plants with green leaves and vines. Nitrogen plays an important role in the composition of such fertilizers, contributing to the abundant growth of green mass.

Such fertilizers often also contain additional elements, such as iron, to prevent the browning and yellowing of the leaves and enhance the green color.

Fertilizers for flowering plants

These are fertilizers intended for flowering plants. The composition is dominated by potassium and phosphorus, responsible for forming flower buds and lush flowering.

On the other hand, less nitrogen can cause excessive leaf development at the expense of flowers.

Compounds may be present in such fertilizers to preserve the color of the flowers.

Universal fertilizers

The composition of these fertilizers is balanced to ensure the uniform development of leaves, shoots, and flowers. Suitable for all balcony plants but not specifically adapted to the individual needs of a particular species.

Organic fertilizers

Organic fertilizers are also intended for all balcony plants, including grasses. This is, for example, bio humus.

Due to the composition based on compounds of organic origin, they are safe for plants and difficult to overdose.

Fertilizers are available in liquid or bulk form. Loose, as a rule, are distributed in the appropriate norm over the earth’s surface around the plant.

However, be careful not to get on leaves or other plant parts, as this can cause burns.

It is much more convenient and safer to use liquid water-soluble fertilizers. The dose recommended by the manufacturer is added to the water during irrigation, and the problem is solved.

In addition to universal fertilizers, they sell fertilizers intended for certain groups or even types of plants. They contain specially selected nutrients necessary for this plant. For example, fertilizers for violets, conifers, or roses.

The composition of such fertilizers includes compounds that improve the color of flowers, accelerate growth, and consider the need for nutrition or an acidifying substrate.

In addition to fertilizers used constantly throughout the season, you can use products of a new generation – long-acting fertilizers.

Such fertilizers gradually release nutrients. Valid for up to 6 months. This means that you can apply once a season.

Although the price is higher than others, they are practical and relatively safe for plants. Usually granular, which is convenient to mix with the substrate.

You can also find fertilizer in the form of sticks or applicators placed on the pot’s rim and nourish the plant for 1-3 months.

What fertilizer to choose for balcony flowers

The choice of fertilizer depends on which plants are planted. In practice, most often, these are flowers. Therefore, it is worth choosing fertilizers for flowering plants or organic.

If flowers of the same type grow in one box, buy a fertilizer intended for these flowers.

When planting plants, you can also use a long-acting fertilizer.

If plants are planted consisting only of plants with decorative green leaves or vines, use fertilizers for green plants.

Organic fertilizers are a versatile choice for a variety of plant mixes.

When creating potted compositions, it is worth choosing plants so that the mineral needs are similar, i.e., plant several varieties or seedlings of the same species in one container.

It can be, for example, pelargoniums of several colors. Plants planted this way will be easier to fertilize, as selecting and applying one fertilizer to ensure geranium growth is easier and takes less time.

How to fertilize balcony plants

When feeding plants, it is necessary to follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding the doses, form, and timing of fertilization.

This is important, as improperly applied fertilizer can damage plants or not bring the expected effect.

You must also observe the following rules:

• When feeding plants, remember that you can not fertilize when the soil is dry; first, you need to water and then fertilize the next day;
• Do not feed on a hot day because you can harm;
• When using liquid fertilizers, do not water the leaves (except foliar), only the substrate; otherwise, you can burn.

The best time for feeding, as well as for watering, is morning or evening. At this time of day, the least evaporation of water.

Top dressing of balcony plants should be carried out systematically, according to the manufacturer’s instructions for preparation.

The most commonly used liquid fertilizers cause the least soil salinity.

Feed perennials in pots from spring to mid-August. After this period, provide only potassium and phosphorus, so they have time to prepare for winter rest.

How to fertilize with a long-acting fertilizer

A way to feed potted plants easily and effectively is to use long-acting granular fertilizers. Each granule contains a set of macro- and microelements.

Surrounded by a layer of natural resin that prevents rapid decomposition, nutrients are released slowly, gradually in small doses, nourishing the plant.

The rate of release of nutrients depends on the temperature and moisture of the substrate: the warmer and wetter the soil, the more nutrients are released.

This corresponds to the growth rate of plants – the warmer, the faster they grow and, therefore, require more food.

Prepare:

• Plant for transplant;
• Pot or balcony box;
• Fresh and well-drained substrate, preferably ready-made soil;
• Pebbles or expanded clay as a drainage layer at the bottom of the tank;
• Granular fertilizer;
• Water for irrigation.

Make holes in the bottom of the pot so that excess water can drain quickly. Pour pebbles to the bottom, then cover the substrate with a thin layer.

Spread the fertilizer granules evenly over the soil surface, then cover with a thin substrate layer. See the dosage on the fertilizer packaging.

Then sprinkle fertilizer again and cover the granules with a layer of earth.

Leave enough space for the plants to develop roots and aerial parts freely. In the box, the distance between plants should be 20 cm.

Water after planting flowers. To be able to absorb nutrients, fertilizers must be dissolved in water. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the constant humidity of the substrate.

Top dressing of perennial plants on the balcony

On terraces, loggias, and balconies, not only herbaceous flowering plants are grown, but also many types of trees, and shrubs, including ornamental ones.

Today you will not surprise anyone with a potted garden consisting, for example, of:

• Dwarf mountain pine;
• Hydrangeas;
• heather;
• Rhododendron;
• ornamental grasses;
• perennials;
• Herbs or a range of popular conifers.

Such plants should first be provided with an appropriately sized pot and the substrate required to grow the species.

For perennials, it is recommended to use fertilizers intended for a certain group of plants, for example, fertilizers for the garden, heather, conifers, and so on.

Long-acting fertilizers can be used, mixed with the soil at planting, which will release nutrients safely and regularly for most of the season.

How often to feed

You can start fertilizing any time; the sooner, the better the plants will grow.

Liquid fertilizers start working quickly. All you need to do is measure out the right amount of concentrate and dilute it in water. Then water the soil and wait for the effect of fertilizing.

Nutrients quickly reach the roots because they are dissolved in water.

Liquid fertilizers should be applied regularly, every 7-14 days. They act immediately, but plants quickly consume nutrients.

How long do balcony flowers fertilize

From August to September, perennial plants such as roses, rhododendrons, and conifers are prepared for winter with fertilizers based on phosphorus and potassium.

Autumn fertilizers help woody shoots, which will protect against winter frosts. After fertilizing, lightly sprinkle with soil and water.

When using mineral fertilizers, the manufacturer must follow the manufacturer’s recommendations not to overfertilize the plant.

Organic fertilizers were used in ancient civilizations: in China, Japan, and Arab countries.

On the European continent, already in the days of the Roman Empire and Ancient Greece, the following was widely used:

• Manure;
• Compost;
• wood ash;
• Lime;
• Olive oil production waste;
• Green fertilizers.

The great chroniclers of that period, Cato the Elder Censor and Pliny, the Elder, wrote about this.

Since fertilization has such a long tradition, it is worth adhering to and systematically supporting the growth of flowers.

Today, various types of fertilizers for the care of balcony plants are available on the market: liquid, crystalline and granular.

Liquids, when diluted with water, form solutions it is convenient to use since they are applied along with irrigation.

Crystalline must be dissolved in water and only then watered.

Plants need both macro- and micronutrients for proper growth and development. Therefore, when choosing a suitable fertilizer for plants on balconies, loggias, and terraces, one should be guided primarily by the composition and recommendations of the manufacturer.