Topic: Fertilizing House Plants

[Dianna]

I don't know if I remember this question answered anywhere, so I will ask now and ease my mind. Is it okay to fertilize your house plants during the winter? If so, how many times do you fertilize your house plants throughout the year?

I have some plants inside that I would love to "perk" up...

[duh]

hey Dianna do you know what your plants are?  Because the answer varies depending on the plant. 

Orchids and African Violets even have their own special fertilizer/plant foods. 

Also how long has it been since they were repotted?  I go on a three year rotation giving them new soil every three years even if they haven't outgrown their pot.

[Dianna]

I will have to go around and make a list, Tammy. I have lots, but can't think of them all without looking at them...

[Bonnie]

I always thought that plants were dormant during the winter and only needed fertilizer during the time they were actively growing, but I have put a weak solution of miracle grow on them.
I guess Duh is right it would depend on the plant. I don't have any delicate house plants.

[Dianna]

I have:

17 African Violets, several miniature (thanks, Sarah)
Ledebouria Socialis
Schlumbergera Truncate
Schlumbergera x Buckleyi
Ananas Comosus
Ficus elastica burgundy
Spathiphyllum
Aloe Vera
Crassula ovata
Kalanchoe blossfeldiana
Chlorophytum comosum
Begonia coccinea
Caltathea corona
Schefflera arboricola
Pachira aquatica
Ficus benjamina
Philodendron hederaceum v. wxycardium
Maranta leuconeura erythroneuro
Tradescantia zebrina
Dracaena deremensis
Epipremnum aureum
Euphorbia tithymaloides
Senecio radicans glauca

And one more that I can't remember the name. I can't even remember the common name to try to find it, either. May end up posting a picture of it soon...

I know outside plants go dormant, Aunt Bonnie, but the ones on the inside are always putting out new growth. That is why I am worried that they might be getting hungry. I don't think they are sleeping the winter away. I have been giving them a little less water since Winter started...

I, also, have some good-sized brugs in the house, along with a datura "moon" vine. They are putting out new leaves daily...

[duh]

And I thought I had a bunch of house plants but you have me beat all to smitherines.

Lets see I recognize a few.

I've killed a Ficus benjamina and a Philodendron hederaceum v. wxycardium
so I probably am not the one to ask on those.

I've just started growing AV's so I'm not the one to ask on that either.

Crassula ovata, Kalanchoe blossfeldiana are succulents and mine don't take much water over the winter months at all and since they like to bloom as soon as the days start getting noticable longer I would say now is probably a good time to give them some plant food.

Aloe Vera can get absolutely huge so I would say that replanting it with good succulent soil every three years is probably all you need.  Unless you want one that is as tall as you are.  But remember that some of them will put out roots equal to their leaf length.

[Dianna]

Thank you, Tammy. I would have more, but I have killed some accidentally...  

How many houseplants do you have and what kind are they? I love plants inside...

[duh]

Amaryllis, Kalanchoe, AV (2), Orchids (3), Silver Shield, Dutch Pipe, Oyster Plant, Noble Pine (it's waiting for spring to be planted outside), and that houseplant with the striped leaves.  I've forgotten the name of that one.  I did like houseplants but I think I went overboard and now I'm not as thrilled with them.

[barleychown]

Dianna, I rotate fertilizers, and use natural substances as well...depending on the plant and what I have available.

One of my favorite instant perk-ups for plants is the bit of blood in the bottom of the meat trays. Add it to a full pitcher of water, and give it to plants that like nitrogen(most plants that are just grown for their foilage, not flowers). The tiny bit of blood doesn't smell, and the plant will thank you.

[Dianna]

The plants won't get salmonella from the raw blood juice of the chicken?

Thanks, Sarah. I will try that...

[sunsoaker]

I'll have to try that too. I've never heard of that. I tend to kill all but the easiet to grow plants.

[barleychown]

The plants won't get salmonella from the raw blood juice of the chicken?

 

If they do, mine are in B I G trouble.

I'll have to try that too. I've never heard of that. I tend to kill all but the easiest to grow plants.

I really think most people fuss with houseplants too much. My poor plants are seriously abused, and I rarely loose one.


What would you like to grow?

[sunsoaker]

I dunno. I have a plant at work that my just retired co-worker left me. It is doing sooo well. Even better than when it was hers. I think it just like where I put it. I have absolutely no idea what it is. I'm afraid to bring it home. Actually I have a couple of plants at work that thrive. You think it has something to do with the flourescent lighting?

I like tropical looking foilage plants.  I'd love to try brugs outside. Afraid of losing them though. I did try to grow Love Lies bleeding outside, I think they are cool and read that they were easy to grow, just throw the seeds and they grow. Not here they didn't, even when I actually tried planting them.  I have pictures of a plant I'd love to grow too, but don't know what it is either (would be outdoor). I think part of the problem here with outdoors is lack of good sunlight. Too many trees on my property.

[barleychown]

You should post some pictures. Someone will be able to tell you what they are.



If you like brugs, start with Datura this year. In fact, I have Datura seeds coming out my ears if you wanna try. Love lies bleeding has to like the soil...but it doesn't necessarily need "good" soil. Try again.  Gardening is mostly a try, try again adventure...or at least it is for me.

As for the sun/shade problem, the darker the leaves, the less sun it needs, generally speaking.

[Dianna]

As for the sun/shade problem, the darker the leaves, the less sun it needs, generally speaking.

I didn't know that!

Barb, there are some beautiful plants that love the shade. I can't grow them because I have the opposite problem with having too much sun...

[sunsoaker]

I'm afraid the photos are on my dead laptop. I will have to see if I can photos off my phone onto my desktop. My desktop doesn't have bluetooth and I don't have a cord to hook it to the PC. Maybe my son can help me with that this weekend. I bet his laptop has bluetooth.

[barleychown]

That'd be great, Barb. 

And, for more on fertilizing...you can also give your houseplants cold diluted coffee and/or tea, in moderation of course. When you empty a carton of milk, you can add water, swish around, and give a tiny bit to each plant. Your grandma more than likely watered with water that egg shells had been soaked in, along with water that an old rusty nail had soaked in.

Remember, commercial fertilizer blends are a relatively new thing...houseplants are not.