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Any tips or pros and cons on these?

I have Miracle Gro's water soluble blue powder I've bought, but also bought MG -- and Osmocote-- granules (for flower containers) and spikes (for house plants). Is one better than the other, do they all work? The green spikes, espcially, just seem so......cheap.

Miracle Grow says use one of its special formulas (unfortunately NOT the one I bought) for potted plants.
Osmocote says their granules are INdoor and OUTdoor.

I never really have fertilized or fed plant regularly at all. MAYBE twice a year.

Do you feed/fertilize? when you do does it really help with growth and health, etc. Given that my plants have lived for YEARS on just water, I'm asking....

Also root burn seems to be a concern for potted plants.....

I started using Osmacote after I stopped at a nursery that told me that they used it in all of their containers. i also use a liquid Miracle Gro with my fuschias which are heavy feeders. I use other fertilizers with my daylilies and japanese irises.

Granular fertilizers are given only a couple times a year if advertized to be slow acting.
These are generally given for outdoor use.
Water soluble types are given for their ease of application. You just dilute with water and pour.
They go straight to the roots and are used instantly.
Its a good idea to water the plant first, then apply the fertilizer.
The water sets up capilliary action, drawing the fertilizer down and protects the roots against fertilizer burn.

Both types are used and can be trusted if directions are followed.

Advertizers push the products for clients to stay on shelves.

How MUCH do you notice the feeding/fertilizing REALLY helps?

Anyone use the short green spikes on their houseplants?....

Also does anyone feed regularly...like once a month? How are the plants/flowers dong with that?

I use spikes made to use on flowering plants for African violets. When I'm lax about replacing them at the 3-month mark, the plants stop flowering and don't start again until new spikes are placed. So for A. violets, spikes do work. But I can't say I've noticed much difference in the non-flowering plants I use spikes on. Can't say I notice a difference with any kind of fertilizer I use on non-flowering plants, actually.

Indoors I do not use any fertilizer from October thru April on my tropicals etc. Then I use Schultz 10-15-10 Plant food every few weeks in the water when watering. I also use their cacti drops once a month during this time too on my succulents/cacti. Figure since I am watering them this saves a step....and I control the amount vs a stake or granules.

Outdoors I put in stakes in my pots but they don't seem to do as much as when I mix bloomboosters in for my floral pots when watering....and I use Mater Magic Organic on my Tomatoes and Peppers which I also grow in pots!
This year I am growing a huge tub of lettuce as well. OFF the ground away from bunnies....

So overall I definately prefer to water it in!

I have read several articles that Oct-April the plants are resting/ more dormant as part of their natural cycle. They also need less water during this time as well. Everyone seems happy so I will continue my routine!

quote:

How MUCH do you notice the feeding/fertilizing REALLY helps?

Excellent point you brought up! I fertilize my houseplants now whenever I think of it (only in the growing season like the above poster stated, and stop in the fall/winter). I once read that you shouldn't fertilize houseplants in the wintertime, so I don't do that. The truth is, many years ago, I NEVER fertilized any houseplants ever. They did perfectly fine and I don't really know if it is necessary to fertilize them (although the gardening companies like Miracle Grow, et. al. would have you believe otherwise)
I plan on transplanting my pruned Philodendron houseplants in new pots and I plan on doing a test:
One plant will be watered more often
One plant will be watered less often
One plant will be given plant food

I want to study this and see if there is a noticable difference between the 3 of them. I want to know if watering more often makes them grow more too!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wavee,

I fertilize/feed only when I think -- "Oh I wonder if I should fertilize. ....wonder if the "babies" need any food. I really don't do anything els for them. So maybe I should 'halp' them." My watering really is inconsistent, I'll get brown leaves. and die-off.

...that's only about twice a season (spring through early fall)...so what's that maybe twice from April to late September.

I want great looking plants, nice flowers....some people seem to have great flowers, and are so into their gardeing...I don't do that much any me stuff sometimes looks needy.

That's why I was wondering about feed/fertilizers....spikes, water soluble, and granules, and any success or tips people may have.

I only fertilize during necessity calls for it. And i prefer organic fertilizers.

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