Sourcing out what you consider to be the best fertilizer for your plants should always be your top priority. There is a lot to consider, and there is no right or wrong answer, but definitely put a little effort in researching what works best for you.
In my experience, I have found that I was either over-fertilizing my plants to the point of death, or I was over-watering them so much that whatever fertilizer I was trying to use was going straight through.
There are a couple ways to avoid those primary killers of plants… over-watering and over-feeding.
As for over-watering… just start paying more attention. Once you realize you are doing it, it is easy to stop. Just make sure all your plants have drainage, and whenever possible water them bottom up. Also, accept that your plants are in greater danger of being over-watered than they are of being under-watered. You can let them wilt. They will bounce back! You will notice an instant change.
As for over-fertilizing, I started doing research on using aquarium water I was pulling out of my tanks during water changes and using that directly in to my houseplants. After quickly seeing how much research has been done showing the benefits I instantly started to use mine as well.
Instantly my houseplants all started to turn greener, stronger, and just all around healthier.
My tanks are all planted tanks, so the water is definitely a little better than non-planted tanks… but fertilizer is fertilizer! If you have any sort of fish tank in your house, the next time you do a water change just take the dirty water and feed it to your houseplants.
Using aquarium water on houseplants can be beneficial for several reasons:
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Nutrient-Rich: Aquarium water contains organic matter and nutrients from fish waste, which can nourish plants and promote healthy growth.
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Microbial Benefits: The beneficial bacteria and microorganisms in aquarium water can enhance soil health and improve plant resilience.
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Eco-Friendly: Utilizing aquarium water helps reduce waste by recycling it instead of discarding it, making it an environmentally friendly practice.
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Watering Efficiency: It can save you time and resources by providing a ready source of water for your plants, especially if you have a routine for changing your aquarium water.
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pH Balancing: Depending on the type of fish and plants in your aquarium, the water can help maintain an appropriate pH level in the soil, promoting better nutrient absorption.
Just be sure to check for any chemicals or treatments in the aquarium that could harm your plants!
So… if you have a fish tank, and as long as it is freshwater, next time you do a water change dump that dirty water on a plant, or area in your yard, that needs a little boost.
~ Mike
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