Fertilizing in Fall:
Plants need food too!
Q: I know that I am not supposed to fertilize plants in winter.
But I just bought several ground orchids from you, they are blooming now and I wonder if I can
give them some food to support their bloom energy? When should I do the last
application of fertilizer? I will keep them in a sun room during Winter until
Spring.
A: Traditionally, end of October to November is the time when we
give the last dose of fertilizer to our tropical plants. Liquid fertilizers,
and especially amino-acid based Sunshine Boosters, are safe to apply year around. This means, you can
continue feeding your plants with Sunshine Boosters through the Winter without
risk of over-feeding or burning roots. Why?
The answer is very simple: even with their metabolism slowed down in
Winter, plants will use all that food.
Sunshine Boosters have special mild formulas that are scientifically
designed and based on Amino Acids. Plants will use all essential elements from the
solution as needed.
Liquid fertilizer is diluted in water, and will be applied only when you
water the plant. During Winter, water needs are lowered = watering times are
less frequent, with less amount of water = the plants will get less water and
less fertilizer accordingly.
Importance of micro elements
in combination with plant food during winter
In the photo: winter chlorosis on Kumquat
leaves that is very hard to treat and should be prevented instead
Keep in mind that feeding your plants regularly during Winter will help
to avoid "winter chlorosis" and other deficiency problems. So called
"cool-temperature-induced chlorosis" (CTIC) is especially common in Spring on young,
actively growing leaves. Unless chlorosis is prevented by micro-element
applications, affected leaves may remain in this condition for the rest of the
growing season.
Make sure to select proper type of fertilizer for your over-wintering plants. We have
special formulas for foliage, flowering plants, fruit trees, young seedlings, even
for for orchids and bromeliads. Check out our selection!
