When do I use 13-13-13 on my plants?
by
Velma
+7
Some of my plants do not bloom anymore. I was told to use 13-13-13. What time of the year do I use it?
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This is the chemical compound of the fertilizer. Not all plants take the same type. Evergreen are different from flowering. Some plants require more acidic soil. It all depends on the plant. Google the name of the plant and it will give you the care and feed of said plant.
Use a fertilizer made for blooming plants that has the second number higher than the first. The first number is nitrogen which will produce plant growth, not flowering. Also, some flowering plants need more light to bloom and at the proper time of the year. See a plant care guide for your particular plants.
It looks like you need more phosphorus (the second number in your mix). Learn more about the numbers in your mix by clicking on the link below. Wishing you the best.
http://homeguides.sfgate.com/fertilizer-element-encourages-flowering-growth-plants-76453.html
Fertilizer is not a cure-all. Can't tell if you are speaking about indoor or outdoor plants. If indoor, the amount of light they get also controls flowering. If you are referring to a houseplant, when you first buy them they had been in a greenhouse of some kind. The flowering was initiated then, and when you bought it the blossoms were starting before you even bought it. Then as it adapts to the new environment with less light, it puts its attention, and growth to things such as roots and leaves (the vegetative parts) instead of reproductive growth (the flowers).
Depending on the number of years you have had them and the amount of soluable salt build up (this is caused by water and fertilizer) in the soil, this can also control flowering.
On annual flowers, keep dead blossoms off. Plants such as geraniums should have the dead heads removed to avoid disease and stimulate new blossoms.
That said, if outdoor plants are involved, fertilizing in spring, then early summer and again in late summer should help. If the plants are shrubs, keep in mind that regular pruning will generally stimulate new growth which has a better chance of flowering. Pruning should be done right after the flowering season. If you do not do it then, you run the risk of pruning the flower buds off that would have blossomed the following year.
John Virdo
Resident Horticulturalist
Gervasi Vineyard, Bistro, & Villas
Canton, Ohio
jvirdo@gervasivineyard.com
https://www.crapemyrtle.com/fertilizing.html