Such fertilizers are divided into complex and simple. The composition of simple fertilizers includes one main nutritional ingredient: it can be phosphorus, magnesium or potassium, nitrogen. And the complex includes three main elements: phosphorus, potassium and nitrogen in the form of chemically different compounds. More complete fertilizers will be those that contain, in addition to the three main elements, another magnesium with microelements. Mineral fertilizers for indoor plants are commercially available as a solution, granules and as slow-acting fertilizers (MRLs). Fertilizers in granules are placed in the ground during planting, they can be diluted in a liquid for root feeding and foliar dressing. Concentrate solutions are easy to use. They are added to water, they make root and foliar top dressing.
If you own more than ten pots with indoor plants, then it will be more convenient for you to purchase a complex of ready-made mineral fertilizers, and give preference to those that contain trace elements. If your home garden can be compared in size with the plantation, and begins to require large investments to purchase fertilizers, it will be appropriate to feed plants with simple fertilizers in large packages, mix them yourself. It should be noted that foliar top dressing should be nitrogen-containing in the form of ammonia (urea), and the soil should be fed with oxides or a mixture of nitrogen oxides with urea.
It is in the line of mineral fertilizers that the most extended number of names and purposes is found. The main advantage of such fertilizers in their chemical orientation. What plus mineral fertilizers for indoor plants can be distinguished? The plus is that plants need nutrients in their periods of growth and development unequally. When a plant begins to grow, it needs nitrogen, when phosphorus and potassium blossom and fructify. And it is mineral fertilizers that can give the plant what it needs, and on time. A minus of mineral fertilizers for indoor plants is that they alone are difficult to manage. As you know, the plant should receive eight trace elements. And in mineral fertilizers contains only three. There is another important circumstance - the use of mineral fertilizers can affect the properties of the soil, that is, the acidity, the number of salts, etc., so you should carefully and carefully use them! Mineral fertilizers usually contain nutrients that are divided into micro- and macro-elements. The plant needs macronutrients, that is, in nitrogen, in phosphorus and potassium, this composition also includes magnesium, calcium and sulfur. A trace elements include iron, zinc, manganese, copper, molybdenum and boron, which perform in the plant one of the more important functions. For a plant, trace elements are needed in small quantities, and their lack has a negative impact on the life of the plant and its flowering, fruiting.
Nitrogen - an important element for a houseplant, it is he - an integral part of the vegetable protein compound. Nitrogen promotes the growth of leaves, shoots and the formation of chlorophyll - green cells of the plant.
Phosphorus promotes the growth of roots, ovary buds and kidneys. It is also important in the maturation, coloring of flowers, seeds and fruits.
Potassium. It maintains the water balance of the plant, keeps water in the cells. Also contributes to increasing the plant's resistance to pests and increases resistance to adverse conditions.
Sulfur, like nitrogen, forms protein-like plant compounds and chlorophyll similar to the building material.
Calcium is responsible for increasing the strength of plant tissue and, like potassium, increases the endurance of the plant.
Most often, the house plant is enriched in nutrients in sufficient quantity if it is fed by them during the period of growth and do not forget to transplant it sometimes to new soil. But it is possible to notice a disruption in the growth, coloring of your plant for no apparent reason. In fact, the food of the plant is disturbed. If the growth of the plant is slowed down, this indicates a lack of nitrogen - the leaves became pale, the color faded and a red shade appeared. The porous tissue of the plant speaks of the lack of nitrogen. The plant becomes susceptible to diseases and pests. And if the flowers do not appear or are painted in a pale color, the correct indicator of the absence of phosphorus. When the indoor plant becomes inanimate on a warm, sunny day, this indicates a potassium deficiency. The plant does not grow, the leaves fall off, the plant is prone to diseases and pests. A typical sign of lack of iron, when the color of veins of leaves becomes dark green, and the surface becomes pale with a yellow tinge. The plant encounters a restriction in the gland, when the light day becomes less or the acidity of the soil is lowered. If the level of acidity of the earth is comfortable for the plant, then it will be able to absorb nutrients well. The high content of lime in water rapidly decreases the acidity of the earth and the leaves turn yellow, there is a shortage of iron. Many plants in the period of growth need not forget to feed once a week. In winter, the plant is fed less often, once every four weeks. If the plant is young, it needs a fertilizer with a lot of nitrogen, it will promote the growth of the stem system and leaves. When the plant blooms, it should be fed with mineral additives with phosphorus. And in potassium, mostly large quantities, any plant needs in any phase of development.
Here are 2 ways to use mineral fertilizers for indoor plants: the main fertilizer is introduced before planting, fed in the growing season. They are applied and in a solid form, are introduced into the soil, and in the form of a solution, the solution should be added immediately after preparation.