The Truth About Fertiliser Most People Don’t Know

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[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Download my FREE Plant Parent's Troubleshooting Handbook 👉 resources.sheffieldmadeplants.com/handbook

[@kjudestevens1519]

Speaking of soil, I'd like a video explaining why we pack the soil when planting to avoid air pockets that'll cause root rot, but we don't want compacted soil overall. How compact is it supposed to be?

[@sassak]

If people have room to compost in their yard, it’s great to have your own supply of it ! Even in an apartment, worm bins are easy to set up so you have plenty of worm castings and compost to reinvigorate the soil for your houseplants : )

[@jackrice2770]

I've used organics for outdoor plants, but I'm not ready to raise worms in my apartment. Same with indoor composting. It's not like I have to buy yards of soil for my indoor plants.

[@George1789]

I love my worms! I’ve had a compost bin going for almost 2 years and my plants have never been happier.

[@grooviechickie]

Interesting! I have used a product here in Australia called Charlie Carp on my plants (indoor and outdoor) for decades. It is a liquid of mulched European carp (an overpowering introduced species here). Works a treat and saves Aussie waterways.

[@ebinom8112]

The look on your face at 3:40 really cracked me up!🤣

[@N0C0MPLY]

Loved this video, nice to have a cheeky glimpse of your garden too. Something that may be of interest to note is that adding fertiliser to water, tap, distilled, rainwater or whatever, can change the p.h. Different plants thrive in different p.h zones. Some, more sensitive plants may not be able to uptake any nutrients at all from the soil if the p.h is far enough out.

[@Stargazer-vk6vz]

Good Morning Mr Sheffield!!! Thank you for sharing knowledge that the "blue water" and organics can work together. Each has their own benefits but understanding what they actually do and how is important. Thank you!!!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

My pleasure 😊

[@Dynysis]

What if I put slow release fert, can I still use the blue water?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@Dynysis no don’t double up

[@mcgritty8842]

⁠@@SheffieldMadePlantswhy not? I haven’t had any issues using both. One is for immediate nutriets, the other is to break down over time. Seems like that would be the best way to go about it. A combination of immediate and slow release

[@mcgritty8842]

@@Dynysismost people would say to do it

[@laurachristianson1688]

This is why liquid fertilizer is used in garden centers, it provides quick growth for all those lovely petunias and begonias in your local Home Depot (insert your local garden emporium here). I use a mix of both for my potted and garden plants.

[@LeafyConversations]

I have all my plants in a free Plant app that allows me to enter the watering date and the feeding date, which if I didn’t have that I would be in big trouble!

[@susanmilam2346]

You mean I’m actually doing something right with my house plants? Huh, good to know! Thanks!

[@wilhelminaulry4663]

Hi Mr. Sheffield. I believe all us plant parents are real. That includes Laura. We are all serious about our kidds. Keep on keeping on plants in pots need more attention. Love you

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Same to you!

[@andrewvail5458]

For my indoor plants I use Miracle Grow 20-20-20 once a month and an organic soil conditioner once a month (every other watering). Currently using on my Hoyas, Pothos and Philodendron. I use orchid spray on my orchids. My plants are thriving. 😎

[@LoHMysticAgent]

Greetings, when using the fertilizer does it burn and or rot your plants? When I try it on my houseplants, they end up burning, rotting then dying.

[@andrewvail5458]

@@LoHMysticAgent Hi. I'd suggest using the fertilizer at half-strength to avoid overfeeding. That may help. Good luck.

[@ravensdotter6843]

Just remember, everything goes to the ocean. What's better down THAT road?

[@psycobasschick]

I use miracle grow for my dragon fruit cactus. It bloomed this year and I have 3 fruits growing. It's more likely to burn plants and has to be used more often than organic ones. I really like the long acting pellet fertilizers for house plants, just learned the hard way how much you have to actually use. I also water my plants with the water from my aquariums most of the time, chunky bits and all.

[@jpc1147]

I have great results with Miracle-Gro. I use it at half strength, but every week. It helps with the ups and downs that using synthetics can cause. The plants really respond well to this schedule. Remember, even though Miracle-Gro is a leaf as well as a root feeder, some plants don't like any liquid fertilizer on their leaves. Zinnias doesn't like any liquid fertilizer on their leaves. For those plants, I pour the fertilizer only on the ground, not the leaves, and those plants respond really well to this. Tomatoes, peppers, and beans, to name a few plants that respond well to leaf fertilizing. Good luck.

[@Th3RealRyan]

Im guessing you grow these all in pots? I've never found zinnias to benefit from ferts in the garden. I haven't tried them in containers because they grow so well in ground. One of the few things that flower from April to December in my garden.

[@jpc1147]

@Th3RealRyan this was in the soil, and I had great success. My Zinnias were over 6 feet tall and had huge flowers. I still feed with organics in the fall. I try to use organics when possible, but if the organic spray doesn't cure, then I will use a synthetic.

[@Th3RealRyan]

@jpc1147 interesting. I don't use anything in my soil, just whatever compost I make myself and get fairly large flowers and good crop yields. I dont think my Zinnias are quite 6ft though so I guess they are getting something out of the fertilizers. I use a lot for my potted plants, so I try and save money, not using it on the ground, lol. Might try using a little next year and see.

[@mcgritty8842]

What are the ups and downs of using synthetics?

[@jpc1147]

@mcgritty8842 The pros are that synthetics are instantly available to the plant. The cons are that it washes out fairly quickly. Synthetics feed your plants. Organics feeds your soil. Hope this helps.

[@LittleGooseReads]

I used an organic fertiliser on my palm and is pushing out 4 new leaves in a week. I've never had that much growth before!

[@Alex18442]

Ecologist here: in terms of outdoors-Even organic fertiliser will not do too much for your soil. The soil organisms can actually synthesise much of what a plant needs, but it needs to be fed with compost/dead organic material. But if you supply fertiliser (organic or synthetic), it disrupts the nutrient cycles below ground.

[@AnaLuizaHella]

I'm thinking about using both alternatively. Now I'm using "cote" for 3 months Next time I'll use bokashi, but I was told it smells terribly. Not sure I want it in my house. But I'm losing my will to live just like you said in one video.😢 I killed my white kalanchoe.😢😢😢😢😢😢 It never happened to me. So sad Mr Sheffield, So sad. I watered it and left it , sniff, on the table in the living room. I didn't notice there's no air and it is a bad environment to dry the soil. On Monday 😢😢😢 she was sniff with the leaves all black and... Life is hard. It was my fault. It never happened to me. It doesn't end here. My fish columeia was losing leaves because I got carried away with the possibility of having some plants far from the window. 😢😢😢 She will grow again and there's a side that didn't lose leaves. Things are pretty sad here Mr Sheffield, I'll keep on going taking care of all the others. I bought my tenth plant. Yay! It's a "string of bananas" that I had never seen. I can't hardly wait to receive it. So I have 10 plants. But I bought 3 hangers, perlite and a good *substrate*: yes, you are right! So much easier and it doesn't make a mess. I have no idea why I bought it for my collection is complete. Now I'll take a look if I find something interesting to have as a plant. If course I'll not buy it. I'm a woman who honour my plans. I said 10. But maybe, as some plants get sick, to have ten we need more since sick plants are not counted. ❤😂😂😂

[@cassthompson3386]

H¹+

[@wjscott9]

I use a fertilizer made from worm castings. My plants are happy🎉

[@bluestar.8938]

Thank you Mister Sheffers : )

[@bpapso]

A couple of years ago I went totally organic in my vegetable garden, and it was horrible, low yield & smaller plants. Needless to say I’m back to miracle grow in my vegetable garden. So far the garden is beautiful and I’m already harvesting cucumbers and squash. My house plans get organic fertilizer and for the most part are doing well this summer with the air conditioning running

[@Th3RealRyan]

I think it depends on the soil for inground. If you treat your soil poorly it will respond poorly. - My brother uses ferts with an auto feeder and drip. I grew some CC Jalapeño seedlings indoors and gave him some in early Feb to put in ground. We both transplanted it the same weekend. I harvest my first batch in late April and have harvested enough to make Texas Poppers for 3 family Qs thus year and fill a jar for pickles. He's literally only gotten 1 small harvest. Our squash, tomatoes, melons, etc aren't even comparable. I don't use any fertilizer, I just take care of the soil. Potted plants need a lot of fertilizer though, due to the nature of growing in pots.

[@bpapso]

@@Th3RealRyan I was using manure, worm castings peat to amend the soil before I planted. It was a disappointing experience.

[@Th3RealRyan]

@bpapso I wouldn't use any of those things. Manure can kill plants, peat shouldn't really he used in beds. Worm castings are ok, but overpriced. - If you can try making homemade compost and or find a good source of compost ( not black kow or really any bagged ones tbh.) Normally you can get it free from the city but you have to pick it up yourself. If not there's probably bulk sellers that are cheaper than bags anyway. Ideally making it yourself, though, if possible. Besides that it's important to keep the soil alive year round. If you can grow something tolerant of your winter lows that's great, but at a min try adding a 2inch layer of compost and covering it when the beds are out of use. - You can keep using the MG while doing the other stuff at the same time. You aren't on an industrial farm I'm assuming, so you won't be using enough to damage the soil. Over time you should notice you can reduce the MG and get the same yields until eventually you don't need it at all.

[@Bam_Bam_Bam_Bam]

@@bpapso synthetic makes your soil dependent on fertilizer which in turn the idea of planting a home garden in the first place. Synthetics are high in salt content and destroy your soil quality the longer you use it making what you plant mire dependent on those synthetic because you’ve destroyed the natural organic material in the soil.. Building soil quality takes more than one season to do.

[@mcgritty8842]

@@Bam_Bam_Bam_Bamthis is simply false rhetoric that has been disproven. If you abuse anything, bad things will happen. Use it the right way and you’ll have no issues❤

[@alanhunter2009]

I have been using phostrogen for over 50 years. Have tried others and there's not a lot of difference between them all in reality but I always return to the old faithful.

[@kelsey9605]

Your videos upload around 630 in the morning here… right as I’m getting up! Great timing! Also as always a great video! 🌱

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Nice!

[@jackrice2770]

I re-watched this and one more point came to mind: So many plant 'experts' seem to stress giant size and rapidity of growth. It's like their plants are in a race and they have to be the biggest, fastest (and most expensive) green racer in the pack. I live in a rather small flat and while part of the point is to increase that jungle effect and bring the outdoors inside, I don't really have the space for a Monstera that would take up a quarter of my floor space. or a ten-foot-tall moss pole covered with pothos. My ego is not on the line here, I just want some of Nature's beauty inside my living quarters, to make it less like a cave. I guess I'm secure enough that I don't have to get into a 'mine-is-bigger-than-yours' contest. Focus on having well-grown plants that interest you and don't get caught up in the more-is-better pitch. My joy comes from finding a little 2" potted beauty in the big box store, bringing it home and watching it flourish (or not...death is a part of life, eh?). I'd have to add that in my experience, light is the more important factor anyway. I just feed enough to keep my little buddies happy, I'm not fattening them up for the County Fair.

[@corvusmonedula]

Great timing! Just yesterday I was reading about fertilizier. Some people will automatically assume that organic fertilizier is better because it's more "natural" but in reality the plant doesn't care. It just depends on what you are growing and where.

[@Dumbscience4thewin]

Everything is organic basically like plants differ in the NPK Value they require! NPK is organic. Prominently featured, the N-P-K-ratio is the percentage the product contains by volume of nitrogen (chemical symbol N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A 16-16-16 fertilizer, for example, contains 16% nitrogen, 16% phosphorus, and 16% potassium.

[@wilhelminaulry4663]

Hi again ,Richard,I spelled miracle grow wrong. Glad you found my secret. I have used the blue stuff forever. I was waiting for you to discover a plant food that works. I hope was all the new plant parents love your teaching. I have been with you from the beginning and used your tips that I didn't know. Now want to let you know I am the real Billie Ulry. So correct tour thoughts. Love your videos and will continue till you quit. Propagation is the best better than human kidds.don't talk back lol. Lo value

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks Billie 👍

[@scottgalbreath5707]

This is why we buy bagged house plant soil contains earth worm castings (organic).

[@JasonHarminghtona]

A good vidoe! Love itt

[@LeafyConversations]

I also heard Organic feed brings more bugs too

[@LauraMohammed-xv3ci]

Good video, love it!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thank you 😊

[@suzypennycook3047]

I use the water out of my fish tanks instead of fertiliser.

[@LikaPyramid]

Won’t that stink? 😅

[@thomashaapalainen4108]

​@LikaPyramid no fish tank water is odorless really if the tank is healthy. At worst it smells like lake water or mud.

[@kaiw391]

Yes same here, my plants absolutely love it, they perk right up after a good soak.

[@LikaPyramid]

@@thomashaapalainen4108 interesting!

[@michelleburkholder2547]

Ever since my daughter set me up with a 10 gallon fish tank, my snake plants, succulents, and cactus have never grown faster and fuller with no risk of over fertilizing.

[@sandyloyst1811]

Bravo! Excellent, always with the helping information. Rich your home is looking so bright and sunny over there today. Love and Peace.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks!

[@PlantPerson58]

I’ve had good luck with Espoma organic fertilizers, but I’m open to trying another brand. As long as my plants are happy, I’m happy.

[@johna8973]

I might suggest Dr. Earth products. . I'm new to Dr. Earth my self , so we'll see....

[@chrisstaniforth5629]

Awesome video!! Cheers for the content!!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks for watching!

[@yesterdayseyes]

I do both, works great!

[@XxShellyW13xX]

I was highly disappointed to see that the botanical soils are NOT available for shipping to the United States. Was really considering purchasing a large amount of soils. Guess I'm sticking with Miracle-Gro soils, which are pretty good too.

[@wilhelminaulry4663]

Hellow, RIC Yellow Rinhard. Here I am back. Seems like you found that logical grow is the best fertilizer. You can spray on leaves too. By the BBC way I am a real plant parent. Been plant mom for many years. I think I told you I was 77.So I forgive you for thinking I was not real. I have got more than I kn 🐱ew from your teaching. Hope all your new plant parents follow you guidance. Will also follow propagation hints. We all learn more. Love you. Hope you spend time with your human beings in your life The real Billie Ulry

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Glad I could teach you something new 😁

[@PokemonLoverfellow]

A good video, love it!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@spectralhauntings]

I actually recently moved from that miracle grow blue fertilizer every x weeks to concentrated liquid seaweed/kelp added to every watering and I have found them to be much happier in my personal ecosystem inside my house! I am planning on mixing some bonemeal with them as often times bonemeal makes up for what seaweed lacks and vice versa making them a rather good combo. Really goes to show that some things work better in one instance over the other it seems. Also definitely agree with the lesser fertilizer with every watering! Much easier and my plants seem to enjoy the consistent nutrients over spikes in fertilizer. (Also as having pets I generally prefer fertilizers that I am less concerned about the contents of just in case the curious buggers ever get into it!)

[@regi985]

If you use fertilizer for plants you then want to eat, plaese read the label if it´s suitable for them, you don´t want to have unknown chemicals left over in your fruits and vegtables. And if you are unsure if your plants are growing in winter or they grow very slow, you can always dilute the fertiliser more if you are scared to give them toomuch. A little bit is still better than nothing if the plants needs some ;)

[@AdrianJackson-n3c]

Good vidoe, love it!

[@lynkin]

Thank you 😊

[@jumaris28]

A new Subscriber and very happy , you go straight to the point !! Greetings from Camarillo, California 👍🌺🪴

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thank you 😊

[@maithilim5096]

Thanks for explaining the difference and usage guide of organic vs synthetic feeds. I just feed once a month with Seasol. I always have a reminder -say, first weekend of the month, that's just my way to keep it regular. And in colder months I totally refrain from any kind of feed.

[@feelingevaporated2912]

Seasol isn’t a fertiliser and has no significant NPK content just so you know. The same company makes PowerFeed which actually is a fertiliser and is decent. Seasol is good for plant hardiness and root growth though.

[@AcrylDame]

Good video on fertilizer. Right now I'm trying out some organic slow release fertilizers because they could make my plant care easier. Preparing different nutrient solutions for different plants is a chore. One important detail on fertilizers is that most don't contain enough Calcium and Magnesium. If you use distilled or rain water this can become an issue in the long run. That's why I also add in some tap water and add a Magnesiumsulfate solution (my tap water is low on magnesium).

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

One to check 👍

[@teuth]

yeah buddy! i use miracle gro with every watering, i just dilute it. i find that the measuring spoon is wildly inaccurate because the blue stuff packs down tightly kinda like brown sugar. so i weigh it, i use about .8g per gallon. i got onto this when i noticed really expensive niche fertilizers were just watered-down versions of regular miracle gro! why would i pay for 1-1-1 when i can make it myself out of 20-20-20?? have a good one 💚

[@jackrice2770]

A few points: I avoid 'pre-fertilized' potting mixes. I have no way of knowing how long it's going to be working, or what strength. I use Schulz's Instant liquid fertilizer so I don't have to get the MiracleGro blues. Yes, MG works great, but it's all about the numbers. Read the label! You'll notice that organic sources are much lower in NPK values, but they're also pretty pricey. so you're paying more for less. That being said, you need to make sure whatever product you're using also provides micronutrients. Since water and nutrients are closely linked, if your plant needs water, that's the time it needs nutrients. Sure, the soil will provide some of what it needs, but half-strength will not burn the roots. Get a fertilizer specifically balanced for flowers or fruit if that's what you're trying to get. Read the label. Without healthy soil your plants are going to struggle, so don't think fertilizer is the be-all and end-all for house plants or your veggie garden.

[@mcgritty8842]

Aren’t they only lower by ratio numbers though. 1-1-1 would essentially the same as 20-20-20, right?

[@jackrice2770]

@@mcgritty8842 Uh, maybe a math refresher course?

[@jackrice2770]

@@mcgritty8842 I apologize for that snarky reply. Yes, the ratio is the same, but the concentrations are not. With organic fertilizers, as my hero Mr. Sheffield says, improve the soil health, and your green pals are living in soil, after all. (We're not going to talk about the hydroponic geeks here.) My point about organic vs. inorganic costs is that you're getting a higher concentration of nutrients for your $. But money isn't everything, right? (Uh...well...we could all use more, I suppose). I use an organic fertilizer (always half strength) along with half strength inorganic, but the inorganic is for those plants that seem to need the boost. If your plants are doing just fine, it ain't broke, so don't fix it.

[@Chris-op7yt]

you can get slow release synthetic fertilizer. one peeve of mine about how many people present organic fertilizers is their statements that these have everything a plant needs. it's simply not true that a by-product or two turned into an organic fertilizer has everything plants need. furthermore, there's little if any soil life in indoor pot planting media that can break down organic fertilizers into usable forms of nutrients for plants. although some organic fertilizers can be more complete in terms of diversity of nutrients, this is far from guaranteed, and some organic fertilizers miss out on basic NPK requirements, which makes these fertilizers an expensive option of applying nutrients which may or may not be available sometime in future. it's often repeated by organic cult fanatics but there's no scientific proof that synthetic fertilizers are automatically worse for soil than organic fertilizers. it's stories they like to tell, so you can buy way overpriced nutrients and only imagine additional benefits. Vegetable growing might be terrible, but the indoctrinated imagine they're doing magical goodness to soil. Personally i've seen no real difference between soil in my garden under organic regimen for a decade or using synthetics, same seasonal problems of how soil looks and behaves. I've gone off the compost train, as loads of compost in soil in spring makes for soggy soil that doesnt grow vegetables.

[@erind2771]

It's like you knew I replanted yesterday and was looking at fertilizer last night. Lol

[@elizabethgreco-nieves]

Such a great video on the comparisons between organic and synthetic fertilizers. I use miracle grow for all of my outdoor plants and roses and veggies, especially the miracle grow liqua feed that attaches to the garden hose,great results. Indoors I like to keep it organic with either espoma or fish fertilizer ( even though it’s stinky lol). Thank you once again for another great video!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks for watching 😁

[@metasamsara]

What I love about organic amendments over synthetic liquid feed is that 1. you don't need to give the exact required dose or risk side effects and 2. it yields a much better quality produce at the end when it comes to terpene profiles because you let the plant do its thing rather than force feeding it whatever is in your fertilizer down its throot with a funnel. I started growing in coco coir with liquid feed and hated how much micromanaging plant health it requires. it's better to encourage healthy microbial life and easy to absorb organic amendments, the plants will love it like a higher quality of life. of course if you are chasing results and micromanage everything then even hydro can be productive, but you need to know what you're doing at the whole science and practical skills level.

[@metasamsara]

@@Abcd-jz4gp i started in coco and perlite only, then moved on to biobizz light-mix while i purchased organic amendments to transition to (an attempt at) DIY organic living supersoil. you can find the recipe @ pastebin\pbxMZysq, but I would tweak some ratios were i to mix it from scratch over again, namely diminish sphagnum moss by at least half to help drainage (it acts like a sponge), and increase calmag by 2~3x. Also increase guano a bit, and find a source of boron and manganese. Maybe even insect frass or crab/oyster meal to feed the worms more reliably, as alternate source of calcium although I quite like dolomite lime with added calcium carbonate, i'm not sure the worms like it as much as the plants do. I would also increase ratio of worm castings. Since I grew and harvested with that DIY supersoil twice, I have transitioned to amending it with cow manure based medium (worm castings are expensive and I can't make my own in small apartment). The seeds love it, I have best germination rates directly in soil with a bit of dolomite and not much fertilizer in a cardboard cup. It requires a bit more extra perlite to make it work, and it's making me a bit uncomfortable to use much of it I am considering finding another source of medium aeration since sphagnum moss didn't do the job as well as I hoped. I started experimenting with granite rocks see if the raw crystallized mineral does the plants any good. Pumice looks interesting too. That's about all of my first hand knowledge, I am currently expanding my results and testing against other plants and less than ideal conditions like no humidifier, and bonsai stress training is my current latest hobby lol ^^ Hope that was an interesting answer to read and not a babble of thoughts, let me know if you have anything to add/ask :)

[@mcgritty8842]

Homie wants to know how you grow your weed. Terpenes get me high

[@mythiccass3837]

I use both organic & synthetics. They can both play their role & using both often also means conserving the synthetics too so I'm not buying them as regularly.

[@deborahlunsford6983]

Thanks. Very interesting. I just purchased two new houseplants. I will wait to fertilise. In the past i only used the blue stuff 💙 but often forgot to fertilize anyway. I have recently changed to organic and follow manufacturing instructions. I have changed to organics outside too but i only grow flowers. Using organic makes me feel better 😂.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

All good 👍

[@extrabijou]

Guaranteed to learn something new in each episode! I tend to slack on fertilizing, as if it's hard to add drops or crystals to water. Sigh. Everyone's getting a little treat today.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Cheers!

[@extrabijou]

@@SheffieldMadePlants ah ha! Cheers to you too! Now I'll think of it as a cocktail for my plants 🤣🍹

[@lexi4491]

Hello Mr Sheff, I've always understood that it's potassium (K in the N-P-K) which plants need for flowering and fruiting, such as Tomorite with its 4-3-8 ratio to help get good tom crops... interested to know why you think differently!

[@M.AlexandriaPineda]

would you do a video about Superthrive?

[@__anon-y]

Yes, please!

[@MsYvetteNicoll]

Any tips for using the little Miracle-Gro sticks?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Never used them

[@ebinom8112]

Great video and great timing! I ordered my first organic fertilizer a few days ago. Pity it's not going to work as fast as I expected based on what you say in this video. Next time I'll go for the "blue stuff".

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Organic is still better long term

[@ebinom8112]

@@SheffieldMadePlants If my organic fertilizer is designated as a foliar fertilizer, can I still apply it to the soil instead and will the roots absorb and benefit from it?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

@@ebinom8112 not sure

[@Lue-rd2lb]

I think I might try doing a 3:1 Organic and Synth mix. Best of both worlds, right?

[@TruthWillSetYouFree832]

I'm glad you talked about Miracle-Gro, because I used to use it in the garden but not anywhere now, but it's good to know the quick-fix vs. slow release concept. I have a question that might be silly, but I bought a liquid organic fertilizer a while back and have been afraid to use it for fear that the smell of it will attract flies into the house. We get house flies on days that I cook a meal longer, as if they're attracted to the smell of beef cooking. They sneak in when we open the door. This fertilizer's first ingredient is poultry manure and I don't want to have a constant source of attraction for the flies if this is in the soil. Is this something I'm worried about that's not a problem? Thanks, Rich!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Is it meant for houseplants? Sounds like it's an outdoor kind of fert

[@TruthWillSetYouFree832]

@@SheffieldMadePlants It's actually indoor, specifically. It's funny, I checked and the label has "Indoor" really large on the front. I might try it with one plant that I would be willing to repot should flies find it. I didn't want to make the living room into one giant poo pile for them. :) It's not that smelly to me, but to the flies, not sure. lol

[@jackrice2770]

Well, that's always the issue with organics. Outside, sure, absolutely. Indoors? You want to make sure your house doesn't wind up smelling like a barn. Outdoors, insects have rarely been an issue for me, but now I'm stuck in a flat and going all organic just isn't going to...uh...fly.

[@TroyRubert]

Anyone else use Growth Technology Focus Complete?

[@jylromain6439]

I sprinkled some worm castings on my Minnie Root which is an outdoor plant and she's looking very happy. But I need something to help her bloom because she's not as active as she once was.

[@catbb1000]

You might check out Epsom salt it's great for blooms. You'll have to look up how much to use. When I gardened years ago I'd always put some in the planting holes. The plants really liked it. Not sure if you can use it on house plants though.

[@jylromain6439]

@@catbb1000 I'll put it on my shopping list and give it a try. Thanks!

[@jude2009]

I use honey water natural and will not burn the roots Use raw honey water on all plants

[@jackrice2770]

Have you seen the price of honey lately? If I can't afford it to eat, my plants are just gonna have to go without it.

[@ebinom8112]

@@jackrice2770 😂

[@Daniele63]

what's your opinion on osmocote fertilizers? I use universal osmocote, mix it in the soil, and it feeds the plant for a full year, and i don't have to worry about burning the plant

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Sounds good

[@miggerysow]

I bottom water my plants in the bath (not while I’m in it I might add), so question can I add liquid fertiliser to the bath?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Don’t see why not

[@realityjunky]

I have a stupid question. I know, there are no such things but I'm really feeling the stupid here. When I used to keep birds, it was common practice to keep birdseed in the freezer to kill moths and larvae, grain beetles, etc. I am currently using all of your tips to keep mealy bugs and gnats at bay. I realize the source for these is probably outside in the environment but could potting soils or compost ever come with small infestations? If so, my mind first jumps to baking the soil to kill them but, of course, that would be a strange project. I have tons of sticky traps, Neem oil spray and today I am trying the diluted insecticide when I water them. Anyone have suggestions? Save me from making my house smell like burning dirt...or worse, when I get to the compost!

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Yes potting soils do come with bugs sometimes. I’ve got a video about this on weds. You want soil that isn’t decomposing basically

[@jodyweima606]

I use a seaweed liquid fertilizer and I'm of the "more is better.. right?" Sigh. So wrong. I get excited (and let's be honest.. impatient) and put a *little bit more* in my watering can, but that has come back to bite me. I've got burn marks on my swiss cheese plant. Will be (rinsing and) repotting very soon, the poor thing. Pray for me. Oh, and less is better :) *repeat the mantra*

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Thanks for sharing!

[@kissmiasma95]

I wonder if using the organic solutions outside in the late fall would be ideal to allow decomposition to begin for fresh growth in spring.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Worth an experiment

[@Dumbscience4thewin]

But it's organic out there and isk what these apparent organic plant liquids are I know more about cannabis then any other plant but I would see if you could send me a list of the ingredients as a chemist I can almost guarantee that you will either basically robbed by these companies with claims of we take the fertilizers in our products from organic sources if it's NPK it doesn't matter what it says organic or not everything's organic miracle grow that's just NPK stuff yeah? If so would you let me know what the other stuff is??

[@Tamar_H]

I just bought Miracle Gro and wished I hadn’t when I read the warnings about not getting it on your hands. What on earth does it do to the creatures and organisms in the soil?

[@TruthWillSetYouFree832]

I just searched for why Miracle-Gro is blue and found one answer that said this: "I have some Miracle Gro on hand, the water soluble kind: The blue stuff is copper sulfate, or CuSO4. In short, it is included in these formulations because plants need copper for biosynthesis; and because it acts as a fungicide, presumably leading to a nicer ecosystem in one's lawn/garden."

[@JuanellHopper]

Miracle gro also has bloom booster. I use it for outdoor blooming plants.

[@allonewordcaps]

😊

[@danw8586]

Do sybotanica do bulk purchases, got a interior install coming up and need about 1/2 ton of growing media

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

They might be able to sort something out for you. Worth emailing. The owner's name is Sybren

[@danw8586]

@@SheffieldMadePlants thank you!

[@__anon-y]

How do I access the products you are recommending?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Should be in my Amazon linked in description

[@evangontha3950]

In another fertilizer video, I know you said you use Miracle-Gro once a month during the growing season. How does this work for a plant like jade? I fertilized on June 1 and did a normal watering around June 20. Do I still fertilize on July 1 (less than 2 weeks after)? Should the soil be fully dry after the last watering before fertilizing?

[@jackrice2770]

That's why it's far easier to just use half strength every time. If your plant needs water, it's getting a little bit of food along with it. If the soil's dry, the roots can't take up nutrients either, so it just makes sense to feed lightly with each watering.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Don’t remember saying that

[@JJ-ec9lp]

Synthetic fertilizer damages the environment, please do not use it outside. It is also considered hazardous waste and cannot, in many places, just be put into the trash or down the drain. Do research and make good choices.

[@Dumbscience4thewin]

Your using inorganic incorrectly its organic. Chemistry wise...

[@Dumbscience4thewin]

What's in the organic stuff my friend!

[@29jensen17]

Fertiliser is not really food for the plants. Their food comes from the photosynthesis when they get sunlight. Fertiliser is their "vitamin pills", so to say. :)

[@painetdldy]

🪴🪴

[@orionishi6737]

Chemicals are chemicals are chemicals. Organic or nonorganic. They are the same chemicals. Phosphorous is phosphorous. Nitrogen is nitrogen. Synthetically produced or organically.

[@jackrice2770]

Yes, that's true. But plants also require other chemicals in small amounts, so it's important to use a product that provides some of those trace elements and have healthy soil with the microorganisms that actually allow the roots to take up those chemicals.

[@orionishi6737]

@@jackrice2770 they make different fertilizers in different ratios for different purposes. Synthetic ones just take a step out so the plant gets it faster.

[@jackrice2770]

@@orionishi6737 True. However, many studies have shown that, unless you're going straight hydroponics, which is a whole different ballgame, the soil must be able to support all the microorganisms that actually make nutrients available. Yes, your plant will absorb the NPK, but some of the other requirements for a healthy plant must first be processed by fungi/bacteria etc. That's why a root bound plant doesn't do well, irrespective of how much water/fertilizer you give it. it still needs compost and 'dirt' to grow well. It's not like growing corn or wheat, where you can just keep dumping lots of chemical fertilizer and water on it to get it to grow for six months and then harvest a crop. I use synthetic fertilizers as a supplement to healthy soil. You get far more NPK in a bottle of synthetic fertilizer than organic, so it seems to me the cheaper solution is always synths. Adding something like seaweed solution or the like might be a good idea, going to give that a try one of these days.

[@L0gginginisstupid]

I have to give you credit for my gorgeous house full of happy plants! Thank you!!

[@sandyloyst1811]

Holy heck me too! I am so happy to have found Rich and his whole plant family all over the world. Peace. Thanks.

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Awesome!

[@L0gginginisstupid]

Oh, and how soon do we fertilize after repotting with fresh, unfertilized potting soil or potting from water propagations?

[@SheffieldMadePlants]

Straight away