If growing succulents in a mini polytunnel are something new to you, you probably wonder, “How often should you fertilize succulents?” A nutrient boost will undoubtedly cause your succulents to become healthier and more beautiful. Regularly fertilised succulents tend to develop a perfect form; they bloom fully, proliferate, and thrive even when they constantly experience specific environmental stresses.
Although succulents can absorb the nutrients found in the soil, regular fertilising will cause them to produce richer and brighter colours. Thanks to their thick stems and fleshy leaves, succulents can store enough moisture and nutrients, allowing them to flourish in the UK areas where the climate is mostly dry. While the potted succulents in your hobby polytunnel don’t need much water as much as your other polytunnel plants, they require regular irrigation.
Unfortunately, irrigating the soil also flushes the nutrients away; that’s why you need to fertilise them regularly. It’s important to note that using the right kind of fertiliser is crucial to your plants’ health because you could end up scarring your burning your tender succulents if you use fertilisers that are too strong. Just remember that if you apply excessive fertiliser or use specific blends with high nitrogen content, the leaves and the roots of your succulents could rot.
What Type of Fertilizer Should You Use?
Since succulents are naturally adaptable, you can feed them with most types of fertilisers. Should you choose to use commercial fertiliser, make sure that you get the kind that gives you a higher ratio of phosphorus to nitrogen because most types of soils are abundant in nitrogen but limited in phosphorus. Moreover, getting too much nitrogen into the soil will attract destructive bugs and encourage fungal growth.
Avoid using slow-release fertilisers because these are too strong for your plants. Use a water-soluble fertiliser, and make sure that you dissolve it about 2 to 3 times the recommended strength.
Another type of fertiliser that you can use is manure tea. Contrary to what you may think, you won’t get messy and stinky when you use this to fertilise your succulents. Since this type of fertiliser is mild, you won’t run the risk of burning your succulents’ leaves.
How Can You Prepare Manure Tea?
The process of preparing manure tea is straightforward. However, it would take days to complete the preparation. You’ll need a tea bag, a large bucket that can carry up to 5 gallons of water, and a watering can.
To give you a head start, check out the step-by-step guide below:
Step #1
Remove the teabag from the packaging before you place it in a large bucket.
Step #2
Next, run the water over the teabag as you try to fill the bucket with about 1 to 5 gallons of water.
Step #3
Once you finish filling the bucket up, let the string hang over the bucket’s edge before putting a lid over the bucket.
Step #4
Let it sit for 2 to 4 days before you can use the solution to fertilise the succulents.
Step #5
Grab a large watering can and pour the fertiliser into it. Don’t hesitate to pour the solution generously on your precious succulents.
How Often Do Your Succulents Need to Be Fertilized?
If you’re using manure tea or the standard fertiliser with a lower dose, you may fertilise succulents as often as once a month. However, it’s important to note that most succulents do just fine if you fertilise them once each year in the spring. Since the growing season of most types of succulents begins during springtime, they would need the nutrient boost that only fertilisers can give them.
It’s different for winter-growing succulents because these plants need to be fertilised once in the autumn.
What are the Benefits of Growing Plants in a Mini Greenhouse?
If you grow succulents and other types of plants in a mini greenhouse, you’ll be setting yourself up for the ultimate gardening experience in the UK. Unlike traditional outdoor gardening in the United Kingdom, growing plants inside a mini polytunnel offer many benefits that you wouldn’t want to miss. Some of these benefits include extended growing seasons, an ideal growing environment, and protection from pests and inclement weather.
Benefit #1: Extended growing seasons
With mini polytunnel gardening, you’ll be able to tend to your plants regardless of the ever-changing weather conditions because it allows you to control the temperature inside the enclosed space. The control will enable you to extend the growing season and enjoy growing plants that aren’t native to your UK area.
Benefit #2: It offers an ideal growth environment
As mentioned earlier, a mini-greenhouse allows you to control the temperature and humidity levels of its internal environment. With the right amount of heat, moisture, fertiliser, and circulating air, you can expect your vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers to thrive.
Benefit #3: It offers a layer of protection from inclement weather and pests
Setting up a mini-greenhouse means eliminating the need to make emergency preparations to keep your plants protected in the event of harsh weather conditions such as heavy rains, strong winds, snow, hail, blizzards, etc. Also, the layer of protection that your polytunnel offers will keep destructive pests and vermin at bay.
Final Thoughts on the Answer to “How Often Should You Fertilize Succulents?”
While knowing the answer to “How often should you fertilize succulents?” is fantastic, nothing is better than growing them in a mini greenhouse. Take your UK gardening experience to the next level! Purchase your mini polytunnel today!