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Indoor plants need to be fertilized because the need to supplement the food they make themselves. This is due to the fact that indoor plants receive less light then outdoor plants. Indoor p
lants do not make or use as much of their food as those plants do that are outside. This is why fertilizing indoor plants is so important. It supplements they food they make on their own.
You don't have to give an indoor plant too much food, to do so can actually harm the plant. In many cases all that is required is seasonally fertilizing once or twice per season and the plant will thrive.
In general its fine to use a water soluble multi purpose fertilizer that can be put into the water unless the directions state otherwise. You can choose from different types of fertilizers on the market that suit the type of indoor plant you have. There are Tropical Plant Fertilizers for tropical indoor plants. This type of fertilizer has concentrated micro and macro nutrients. Complete Fertilizers are fertilizers that contain 3 equal parts of main macronutrients. They range from 8/8/8/ to 20/20/20 in strength. Chelated fertilizers have an chemical agent that binds in such a way as to make them non ionized and water soluble. Time Release Fertilizers release their nutrients over a period of time. Usually it is done over several months. Many potting mixtures have Time Release Fertilizers added to them already.
Low Dye Slow Released Fertilizers are the type of fertilizers most recommended for indoor plants. A controlled release granular fertilizer is recommended for atriums. There are also special fertilizers available for specialized plants. Its best to follow the instructions of a particular fertilizer for your plants to have optimum results.
It is recommended that you do not fertilize a plant less than a year if it is bought from a nursery. Chances are it was fertilized and the soil already has fertilizer residue. When you fertilize plants make sure the growing media is moist because the chemicals whether natural or not can burn the roots. If possible water the plant right before giving it the fertilizer. Never fertilize a diseased, distressed or non thriving plants. In these cases fertilizer my actually do more harm than good to a plant in that kind of shape. Sometimes plants that have nutritional deficiencies have symptoms that mimic illnesses in plants. You need to check first to see. Lastly do not fertilize a plant when its dormant in the winter. This can kill the plant. Using a
Plants like humans suffer when they are not given the proper care and nutrition. Many of the common deficiencies plants experience can be prevented if you are on a good and regulated fertilizing schedule. You can ask you plant store what fertilizer is best for your plant and how often to fertilize. If you follow the instructions your plant should grow and thrive indoors.