Despite their innate ability to source nutrients from soil, plants benefit hugely from a fertiliser boost.
Top horticulturalists like Monty Don have championed the use of organic ingredients like seaweed-based feeds for prolific growth.
According to the gardening expert: “A weekly feed high in potash that will help promote root and flower formation is ideal.
“I find liquid seaweed or a propriety liquid tomato feed to work well. The secret is to give just enough, and not too much.”
Certain types of orchids can flower multiple times a year GETTYAccording to the Royal Horticultural Society, seaweed has been used as a soil improver for centuries, particularly in coastal areas.
“Seaweed contains several useful plant nutrients, including nitrogen, potassium, phosphate and magnesium," explains the RHS.
“There are dried and liquidised forms available from garden centres and seaweed is a common additive to fertilisers both organic and non-organic.”
For optimal results, Monty Don stresses that the secret is to give plants the right amount of feed.
"Too many nutrients are as damaging as too few as they cause rapid, lush growth - often at the expense of flowers or fruit," he explained.
This carries the risk of attracting extra fungal and predatory problems, the expert added.
“Never be tempted to make the feed any stronger than the instructions dictate and if in any doubt reduce the strength," explained Monty. "Your plants and displays will be the better for it.”
Liquid tomato fertiliser is another excellent option to provide plants with fundamental nutrients and micronutrients.
Application rates vary so it’s crucial to check the instructions on the label when choosing the right type of fertiliser for plants.
Gardeners should be aware that over-fertilising orchids with the feed will put the plants on overdrive and lead to all sorts of surprising effects.
They should also note that Peace Lily, Snake Plant, Spider Plant, Jade Plant and African Violet are among the species that might not appreciate the benefits of the organic fertiliser.
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Flowers benefit from an extra nutrient boost from fertilisers
GETTYGardeners can also prepare their homemade plant feed to assist flowers on their growth journey, even with the simplest ingredients.
Natural ingredients like molasses have been lauded by several experts as plant fertilisers thanks to their mineral content.
The sticky texture of molasses helps minerals latch onto foliage and infiltrate their root systems.
By increasing the sugar content of the flower, molasses also makes it unpalatable to unwanted pests like ants.
