1. Fertilization method: There are two types of fertilizers for potted flowers: base fertilizer and top dressing.

1. Base fertilizer

Basal fertilizer is the fertilizer applied to the soil before planting seedlings. Basal fertilizer is applied when potting or mixing mud in winter. It is recommended to use slow-release long-acting fertilizer for basal fertilizer.

2. Topdressing

Top dressing refers to the fertilizer applied during the growing and flowering season of flowers. It is recommended to use quick-acting fertilizer similar to nutrient solution. Adult seedlings are generally applied once every 7-15 days, and the frequency for seedlings should be higher, but the concentration should be lower .

2. Fertilization principles:

1. Fertilization must be timely

Timely fertilization means fertilizing flowers when they need it . It is most appropriate to fertilize when the leaves of the plants become pale and the growth is weak.

2. Fertilization must be appropriate

Fertilization must be applied according to the different growth stages of flowers.

• For example, more nitrogen fertilizer should be used in the seedling stage, the fertilizer and water should be light, and the frequency should be high to promote rapid and strong growth of the seedlings;

• After the seedlings have grown, more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be used;

• Foliage flowers should be given more nitrogen fertilizer to make the leaves green;

• Ornamental fruit-bearing flowers should be fertilized with more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers to make the plants bloom and bear fruit early, and also to make the flowers and fruits brightly colored.

3. Fertilization must be done in season

In spring and summer, flowers grow rapidly and vigorously, so more fertilizer should be applied; after autumn, flowers grow slowly, so less fertilizer should be applied; in winter, they are dormant, so fertilization should be stopped.

4. Fertilization must be timed

When fertilizing potted flowers, the principle of "eat less and more meals" (i.e. "apply thin fertilizer frequently") should be adopted. Generally, from the beginning of spring to the beginning of autumn, thin fertilizer water can be applied every 7-10 days, and after the beginning of autumn, it can be applied once every 15-20 days.

5. Temperature must be controlled when applying fertilizer

Fertilization should be done on sunny days. It is not suitable to fertilize potted flowers around noon in the hot summer, because the temperature of the pot soil is high and topdressing is easy to damage the roots. It is best to apply it in the evening.

6. Fertilization must be done before loosening the soil

Before applying thin liquid fertilizer to potted flowers, you should first rake the surface of the pot soil loose, and wait until the pot soil is slightly dry before applying fertilizer. Immediately after fertilizing, spray the leaves with water to prevent residual fertilizer liquid from contaminating the leaves. Be sure to water once the next day after fertilizing.

More content from "Home Flower Care Guide":

• How to care after grafting
  

• A Guide to Watering Flowers [Collector's Edition]

• How to judge whether your flowers need watering?

• What should you pay attention to when watering flowers in summer?

• When should flowers be fertilized?