In order for your plants to thrive, you need to care for them properly and respond to their needs. In addition to enough light and water, this also includes an adequate supply of nutrients. But what exactly are fertilizers and are there also natural fertilizers? We explain how you can fertilize your plants sustainably.
Why is fertilization important?
Plants extract nutrients from the soil through their roots, as these are their food and are essential for various growth and metabolic processes. After some time, the plants have absorbed most of the substances present in the soil. If you don't fertilize, the soil becomes impoverished and the plant can no longer grow. For this reason, fertilizers have been developed that allow new nutrients to be added to the soil as needed.
You can find out more about how fertilizers are created in this video.
The most important nutrients
Each nutrient plays a specific role in the health of the plant. If these are missing, deficiency symptoms occur. The main nutrients a plant needs include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium and sulfur.
So-called NPK fertilizers are particularly common and cover the three main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium, which are particularly important for plant growth. But only all the substances together, i.e. the main nutrients and trace elements, ensure that the plants can develop well. These trace elements include iron, zinc, copper, manganese, boron, molybdenum and chlorine. You can find out exactly what these do within the plant here!
What are natural fertilizers?
Basically, a distinction is made between organic and mineral fertilizers. arise naturally and are of plant or animal origin. Mineral fertilizers are manufactured artificially, which is why the nutrients are often in the form of salts. But there are also organic-mineral fertilizers: organic substances are mixed with mineral substances.
Organic fertilizer for plants - the benefits
Almost all organic fertilizers are also natural fertilizers. An organic fertilizer is always free of genetic engineering, radiation, synthetic pesticides and environmentally harmful chemicals. In addition, resource extraction must be environmentally friendly and all processes along the value chain must be socially acceptable. By using a sustainable fertilizer ( and peat-free soil ), you can make keeping houseplants sustainable.
On average, organic fertilizers release nutrients more slowly than conventional fertilizers and thus provide the plants with a long-term supply. Over-fertilization is avoided without losing the effect. When growing herbs and vegetables on the balcony, an organic fertilizer ensures that no edible residues remain on leaves, fruits or vegetables and is therefore always the right choice.
How can you make fertilizer for your plants yourself from coffee grounds?
You can also use coffee and coffee grounds as fertilizer because they contain nutrients necessary for plant growth. These include nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and tannic acid, but also other trace elements. However, not all plants can tolerate the slightly acidic pH value of coffee grounds. As a rule, you should only fertilize with coffee grounds every few months and not in high concentrations.
To fertilize, you should air dry the coffee grounds and then mix them in small quantities with the soil. You can dilute cold coffee with water in a 1:1 ratio and water the plant with it.
What good is plant manure, banana peels, wood ash etc.
You can also make fertilizer yourself, for example in the form of plant manure or a decoction made from banana peels. The production is often simple and inexpensive: To make a simple banana peel fertilizer, chop up the peels and soak them in water. After letting it steep, pour the mixture through a sieve and then add the liquid to the water. A manure is created when you soak nettles in water. Allow the mixture to ferment for a few weeks and dilute before using. You can add wood ash or horn shavings to combat the smell.
But how suitable are these fertilizers for houseplants and how effective are they? It is important to know the limitations of such home remedies. The production takes time and patience. In addition, the smell of fermenting plant residue can be a deterrent and is more of a sustainable alternative for plants in the garden. Another aspect is the uneven nutrient supply - self-made fertilizer tends to fluctuate nutrient concentrations, which can lead to an uneven supply to the plants.
Sustainable and efficient: natural liquid fertilizer
We at FARBIO® are proud that all of our organic liquid fertilizers can bear the ECOCERT logo. Because this organic logo goes beyond the legal minimum standard that a product must meet in order to be certified organic. This means, for example, that not only our finished product is checked and tested, but also all of our raw materials and processes. Furthermore, we develop and produce our products without animal testing.
FARBIO® not only develops natural active ingredients, but also works with biotechnologists with many years of experience in the field of agriculture to combine professional plant care and sustainability. We produce all products according to strict quality standards in Europe.
Our plant fertilizers
The FARBIO® organic liquid fertilizer for green plants is ideal for supplying plants with the most important nutrients and thus helping them to grow healthily and sustainably.
Our FARBIO® special fertilizers are something very special: leaf fertilizers! With the extra boost of nitrogen , FARBIO® Nitrogen Bio-Boost not only ensures uniform leaf and root growth, but also a better appearance in the form of rich green colors.
With our FARBIO® organic microcomplex, the focus is on protecting your plants. Essential trace elements ensure that plants become more vital and resilient!
