20.03.2025

A liter of my fertilizer makes my geraniums grow and bloom wonderfully.

By Lesia

That’s fantastic! Homemade fertilizers can be incredibly effective, especially when tailored to your geraniums’ needs. To help others achieve similar success, let’s break down what might be in your liter of fertilizer and how it benefits geraniums:

Understanding Geranium Nutrition:

Geraniums thrive with a balanced fertilizer, focusing on:

  • Phosphorus (P): Promotes blooming.
  • Potassium (K): Enhances overall plant health and flower production.
  • Nitrogen (N): Supports leaf growth, but too much can hinder flowering.

Possible Ingredients in Your Fertilizer and Their Benefits:

  1. Compost Tea:
    • Rich in beneficial microorganisms and nutrients.
    • Improves soil health and nutrient availability.
    • Provides a gentle, balanced feed.
  2. Banana Peel Tea:
    • High in potassium, which encourages blooming.
    • Also contains phosphorus and other beneficial minerals.
  3. Eggshell Tea:
    • Provides calcium, which strengthens cell walls and promotes healthy growth.
    • Can help regulate soil pH.
  4. Coffee Grounds:
    • Adds nitrogen and acidity to the soil.
    • Also contains potassium and phosphorus.
    • Geraniums enjoy slightly acidic soil.
  5. Wood Ash (Use Sparingly):
    • Rich in potassium and other minerals.
    • Can raise soil pH, so use cautiously.
  6. Molasses:
    • Provides sugars and trace minerals that feed beneficial soil microbes.
    • Can enhance plant growth and flowering.
  7. Fish Emulsion:
    • A good source of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.
    • Provides a balanced feed for geraniums.
  8. Yeast water:
    • Yeast is a natural growth stimulator.

How to Prepare and Use Your Fertilizer:

  • Preparation:
    • If using solid ingredients (e.g., banana peels, eggshells), soak them in water for several days to extract nutrients.
    • Strain the liquid before use.
    • If using coffee grounds, make sure that they are used grounds.
  • Dilution:
    • Dilute your fertilizer to the appropriate strength. A general guideline is to dilute it until it’s a light tea color.
    • Over-fertilizing can harm your plants.
  • Application:
    • Water your geraniums with the fertilizer solution every 2-4 weeks during the growing season.
    • Apply the fertilizer to the soil around the base of the plant.

Important Considerations:

  • Soil pH: Geraniums prefer slightly acidic soil. Test your soil pH and adjust it if necessary.
  • Drainage: Ensure your geraniums are planted in well-draining soil to prevent root rot.
  • Sunlight: Geraniums need plenty of sunlight to bloom.
  • Watering: Water your geraniums regularly, but avoid overwatering.

By sharing your specific fertilizer recipe and application method, you can help other geranium enthusiasts achieve beautiful blooms!