I'm new to caring for houseplants and I've had some for about a year and a half. I usually just used Miracle-Gro or worm casting tea, but now I've got Superthrive Foilage Pro and Neptune's Harvest, and I need some guidance. I read somewhere that I should water my plants before fertilizing, but I thought you mix the fertilizer with the watering can. Can someone clarify the best way to do this?
2 Answers
Just a heads up, Superthrive is more of a plant tonic than a fertilizer, so watch out not to overdo it. I typically use it only for sick-looking plants or when I'm repotting. It can help with transplant shock. I also like mixing worm castings into my soil, which gives my plants slow-release nutrients whenever I water. I usually adhere to the 'fertilize weakly, weekly' approach, which has worked wonders for me!
If you're using liquid fertilizers, definitely mix them with your watering water. The advice about watering before might apply to solid fertilizers, like granules. Personally, I never follow the recommended dosage on the bottle because it's often too high—half strength is usually a safer bet. I fertilize every other watering, or at least once a month during the growing season (March to October in the Northern Hemisphere). If you've just repotted your plants, they might not need any added nutrients just yet, so be mindful of your dosage!
Totally agree! I always mix about half of what the bottle suggests. It's better to underfeed than to risk root burn. If you're unsure, you can always add more later!