How to boost your potted plants' health in winter using homemade fertilizers
Every plant lover wants their specimens to look vibrant and beautiful, but this can be challenging during winter. Many plants don't grow in this season, often failing to sprout new leaves or buds, leading to frustration. Factors like dry air, limited light, and inadequate fertilization contribute to poor growth. However, you don't have to resort to despair or costly solutions - natural remedies can efficiently rectify these problems without costing a fortune.
1:56 PM EST, January 24, 2024
Why it's beneficial to fertilize potted plants in winter
Plants respond remarkably to seasonal changes, and winter is as challenging for them as it is for humans. If we don't provide suitable conditions for their development, they can quickly perish. Inadequate warmth in homes can be devastating for some species, while inferior sunlight or its complete absence can hinder the photosynthesis process. Consequently, our plants become susceptible and often attract diseases and pests, making care quite challenging.
Regrettably, many believe that winter isn't the time to fertilize plants, which is a significant misunderstanding. Plants need nutrition during this period, and regular fertilization effectively boosts their resistance. Through fertilization, plants access essential vitamins and minerals, significantly improving their health and flowering. And this isn't about expensive, chemically-loaded preparations, but about natural and safe ingredients from our kitchen.
Preparing winter fertilizers for plants
Not many realize that the best solutions are often the most straightforward and affordable ones. This is true for plant fertilizers, with kitchen ingredients and a little patience being essential for their preparation. Onions not only serve us in cooking but also make potent fertilizers for household plants like ficus, dracaenas, ferns, and zamioculcas. These plants need a natural booster that provides essential nutrients and increases resistance.
For this homemade fertilizer, you would need three onions. Initially, chop and boil them in approximately 0.5 gallons of water for about 15 minutes. Only use this mixture after it has cooled, diluting it with water in a 1:10 ratio. This is crucial as onions contain sulfur, nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, essential elements for stimulating root development and chlorophyll synthesis in plants. The best results can be achieved when used every three weeks.
Plants appreciate garlic!
Garlic also contributes positively to potted plants' growth, and it effectively wards off pests and diseases. This homemade fertilizer is particularly liked by spathiphyllum, indoor hydrangeas, azaleas and African violets. Simply immerse about five cloves of garlic in approximately 0.5 gallons of boiling water and set aside for 24 hours. After this, strain and dilute the broth in a 1:10 ratio with water.
