If you’re new to growing succulents in a little greenhouse, you’re undoubtedly wondering, “How often should you fertilize succulents?” A fertilizer boost will surely make your succulents healthier and more attractive. Succulents that are regularly fertilized develop a flawless form; they bloom fully, expand swiftly, and thrive even when they are constantly subjected to specific environmental challenges.
Although succulents can absorb nutrients from the soil, fertilizing them on a regular basis will allow them to generate richer and brighter colors. Succulents may thrive in locations where the climate is primarily dry because of their thick stems and fleshy leaves, which allow plants to store enough moisture and nutrients. While potted succulents in your hobby greenhouse do not require as much water as other greenhouse plants, they do require frequent irrigation.
Unfortunately, irrigating the soil also flushes the nutrients away, which is why you must fertilize it on a regular basis. It’s vital to note that utilizing the appropriate kind of fertilizer is critical to the health of your plants because you could wind up scarring or scorching your fragile succulents if you use too strong fertilizers. Just keep in mind that if you use too much fertilizer or specific fertilizer blends with a high nitrogen content, your succulents’ leaves and roots may rot.
Succulent Fertilizer Needs
Succulent fertilizer requirements differ from those of regular plants, in addition to watering, soil, and light. Feeding is relatively limited in the range of natural environments from which these plants arise. Succulents don’t require a lot of fertilizer. As a result, fertilizing domesticated cacti and succulents should be limited in order to imitate their native circumstances.
When to Feed Cacti and Succulents
According to some experts, feeding succulents and cacti should be limited to once a year in most circumstances. That, I admit, is a rule I’ve broken.
Too much fertilizer weakens succulent plants, and any additional growth is likely to be weak and spindly, fostering the dreaded etiolation that we all strive to avoid. Other experts remind us that nurseries feed with every watering throughout the growth phase, a practice known as fertigation, in which a little amount of food is mixed into the watering system.
Some people advocate a monthly feeding regimen. Take this information into account as you learn when to feed cacti and succulents. Feeding your succulent plant immediately before and during its growing season is the aim. According to experts, this is from early spring until late summer. If you have a plant that grows in the winter, fertilize it throughout this period. Most of us don’t have that kind of information on all of our plants, so we approach succulent and cactus fertilizer requirements in broad strokes, such as a spring feeding for all.
This regimen is suitable for the majority of plants. If your plants aren’t growing or aren’t looking their best, fertilizer cacti and succulents again in early summer may help. And, if you decide to try a monthly feeding, research the plants you’ve chosen to see if there’s any credible information regarding which feeding schedule is ideal for them, or at the very least learn when they’re in bloom.
Also Read: How Often Should Succulents be Watered?
Types of Fertilizers
Because succulents are naturally adaptable, they can be fed with a variety of fertilizers. If you decide to use commercial fertilizer, consider one with a higher phosphorus-to-nitrogen ratio, as most soils are high in nitrogen but low in phosphorus. Furthermore, too much nitrogen in the soil will attract damaging bugs and promote fungal growth.
Slow-release fertilizers should be avoided because they are too potent for your plants. Use a water-soluble fertilizer and dilute it about 2 to 3 times the recommended dosage.
Manure tea is another sort of fertilizer that you can use. Contrary to popular belief, using this to fertilize your succulents will not leave you filthy or stinking. Because this fertilizer is gentle, you won’t risk burning the foliage of your succulents.
Commercial Fertilizers
You must be careful not to use too strong a fertilizer, otherwise the succulents will burn. However, using the appropriate fertilizer every few months can make a significant difference in how well your succulents thrive.
You can also use the Miracle Grow Cactus Fertilizer according to the directions on the bottle. Other commercial solutions should be balanced (such as a 10-10-10) and diluted the first few times you use them to avoid burning.
Manure Tea Fertilizer
The concept behind dung tea is brilliant: it’s similar to using compost or manure as fertilizer, but it’s less dirty and stinks less. It’s an excellent natural method of fertilizing succulents, and my succulents liked it!
It’s completely safe for the succulents, and they grew much bigger and healthier than they would have otherwise.
How Can You Prepare Manure Tea?
The procedure of making manure tea is incredibly simple. However, the process would take several days. A tea bag, a huge bucket that can hold up to 5 gallons of water, and a watering can are all required.
Check out the step-by-step guide below for a head start:
- Before placing the teabag in a large bucket, remove it from its packing.
- Then, as you try to fill the bucket with 1 to 5 gallons of water, run the water over the teabag.
- When you’re finished filling the bucket, let the thread hang over the edge before covering it with a lid.
- Allow it to sit for 2 to 4 days before using it to fertilize the succulents.
- Fill a large watering can halfway with fertilizer. Don’t be afraid to lavishly apply the solution on your prized succulents.
The Perfect Time to use Fertilizers
You can fertilize succulents as often as once a month if you use manure tea or a lower quantity of regular fertilizer. It’s important to note, though, that most succulents grow great if you fertilize them once a year in the spring. Because most succulents begin their growing season in the spring, they will require the nutrient boost that only fertilizers can provide.
Winter-growing succulents, on the other hand, require fertilization only once in the fall.
Conclusion
What we use is just as crucial as the timing, especially if we only feed once a year. We’ll want to make sure that feeding is effective. There are numerous solutions available to meet the needs of succulents in terms of fertilizer. Some experts advise applying a low-phosphorus fertilizer, such as those used to promote summer flowers. Some people swear by compost tea (offered online). Most experts advise against using nitrogen-heavy products and nitrogen-rich compost, however, a few do recommend using a balanced fertilizer once a month. Finally, in plants that have been in the same soil for a year or more, add trace elements to the soil. If you follow these guidelines, you’ll be able to quickly design a feeding routine that is appropriate for your collection.
