You pick up and put down the colorful fertilizers on the shelves -- will fertilizing succulents be like pumping high-calorie beverages into skinny people, but instead harm them? The last time your neighbor's succulent rotted its roots because of fertilizer, it made you worry about “fertilizer”. In fact, fertilizer is not a beast to succulents; the key lies in “what to apply, how to apply”. Today, to unveil the fertilizer and succulent “love-hate relationship”, so that you can master the trick of safe fertilization, so that the succulent grows fat, strong, and solid! 

The “balanced way” between fertilizer and succulents

Succulents are naturally tolerant of barrenness, and they survive in their native environment on the meager nutrients brought in by occasional rainfall, which makes many people think that “succulents don't need fertilizer.” However, in reality, in an artificial growing environment, the nutrients in the potting soil are limited, and prolonged lack of fertilizer can lead to slow growth and shriveled leaves for succulents. Just like people need a balanced diet, succulents also need the right amount of “nutritional supplementation”, but over-fertilizing is like overeating, which can burden the root system and cause problems such as root burning and rotting. Therefore, whether the fertilizer is harmful to succulents all depends on the “amount” and “timing” of application. 

In these situations, fertilizer will become a “succulent killer.” 

Fertilizing too much: the root system is “burned” 

The succulent's root system is fragile and very sensitive to the concentration of fertilizer. If too much fertilizer is applied at one time, or if the fertilizer is too close to the root system, the concentration of nutrients in the soil will be too high, resulting in the loss of water in the root cells, just like the water being precipitated when pickles are pickled, and the leaves will appear to be yellowed, soft, and shed, and in severe cases, the whole plant will rot. The novice is most likely to make this mistake, always thinking “more fertilization to grow faster”; the results are counterproductive. 

Dormant fertilization aggravates the metabolic burden 

Succulents will enter a dormant state in the summer heat or winter low temperatures, when their growth is almost stagnant, and the demand for nutrients is reduced to a minimum. If fertilizer is applied at this time, the succulent can not be absorbed, the fertilizer will accumulate in the soil, destroying the soil structure, and wait until the growth period instead of affecting the root absorption capacity. Just like people do not need to eat a lot of food while sleeping, force-feeding will only cause gastrointestinal discomfort. 

Use the wrong type of fertilizer: nutrient imbalance 

succulent needs is low nitrogen, high phosphorus and potassium fertilizer, too much nitrogen fertilizer will lead to plant growth, stalks weak, thin leaves; and used unrotted organic fertilizer (such as fresh fish guts, kitchen waste), in the process of fermentation will produce high temperatures, direct scorching of the root system, but also breeding bacteria and pests. 

Fertilizing in this way is “all good and no harm” for succulents. 

Choosing the right fertilizer: succulents' “exclusive nutritious meal” 

• Slow-release fertilizer: suitable for newbies, like The One Bloom's succulent-specific slow-release fertilizers ($10-15), which are granular and buried on the surface of the potting soil, and with watering It releases nutrients slowly with watering and is good for 3-6 months, so you don't have to worry about burning your roots. 
  
• Liquid Fertilizer: Use during the growing season, dilute the fertilizer according to the instructions (usually 1:1000), for example, mix 1ml of fertilizer with 1 liter of water and water it once a month to make the leaves fuller. 
  
• Phosphorus and potassium fertilizers are the mainstay: applying additional phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (e.g., bone meal, potassium dihydrogen phosphate) before flowering can promote flowering and root strength, and make succulents more resistant to frost and sun. 
  

Timing: Fertilize only during the “growing season.” 

Spring and autumn are the peak growing seasons for succulents, when fertilizers are most effective and can be quickly absorbed and utilized. When the temperature exceeds 30℃ in summer and falls below 10℃ in winter, you should stop fertilizing and let the succulents rest in peace. Freshly potted succulent, the first 3 months do not fertilize, such that the root system to adapt to the new environment, and then begin to “add food”. 

Fertilizing method: “thin fertilizer” is the key 

Burying fertilizer: bury slow-release fertilizer particles along the edge of the pot 2 cm into the soil, away from the root system, to avoid direct contact. 
Irrigation: Dilute the liquid fertilizer and pour it in slowly along the edge of the pot. Do not pour it on the leaves, especially the heart of the leaves, to prevent the fertilizer residue from causing burns. 
Frequency: 1 time per month during the growing period, no more than 2 times at most, rather less than more. 

Fertilizing Points for Different Types of Succulents 

Young Seedling Succulents: “Light Diet”

Freshly cuttings or sown seedlings have fragile root systems, which are easily injured by fertilizer. They do not need to be fertilized at all for the first 6 months, and can grow by relying on the basic nutrients in the potting soil. 

Old pile succulent: “a small amount of tonic” 

Growing for many years of old pile succulents, low demand for nutrients, spring and fall each year, once a slow-release fertilizer can be applied, excessive fertilization will lead to pile rot. 

Flowering succulent: “precise supplement energy” 

Like Buddha beads, jade dew, and other succulents that will bloom, before the buds appear, once a month to apply diluted phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, can make the flowers fuller, longer flowering period, and after the flowers to supplement the fertilizer once in a timely manner, to make up for the nutrients consumed by the blossoming.

“First Aid Measures” for Improper Fertilizing 

Overfertilizing: Immediate “Detoxification”

If you find that the succulent leaves have suddenly become soft and yellow, and you have recently applied fertilizer, you should immediately take off the pots, rinse the roots and the potting soil with water to wash off the fertilizer adhering to the roots, and then replace it with new Dry potting soil, placed in a ventilated place to dry, do not water for a week. 

Fertilizer splashed on leaves: clean it up in time 

If you accidentally get fertilizer on the leaves, rinse it off immediately with water and absorb the water with paper towels, put it in a ventilated place, and avoid direct sunlight to prevent the leaves from being burned. 

Start the “Healthy Fertilizer” Journey for Succulents 

Whether fertilizer is a ‘nutrient’ or “poison” for succulents is under your control. The One Bloom not only has a variety of fertilizers for succulents, but also matching fertilizers for succulents. The One Bloom not only has all kinds of fertilizers for succulents, but also matching fertilizer tools, which make it easy for newbies to get started. From today onwards, say goodbye to the “fear of fertilizer”, according to the principle of “a little, at the right time, at the right place”, your succulents will surely reward you with fuller leaves, brighter colors, and even amazing flowers. This weekend, give your succulents a “safe meal” bar!