Plants need fertilizer, you were probably told when you first started gardening. Whether your houseplant is droopy or your tomatoes aren't producing abundant fruits, fertilizer is often the first line of defense. Unfortunately, this knee-jerk reaction can lead to over-fertilization, which can damage, or kill, many plants. Potted plants are especially susceptible, because they occupy a much smaller area where fertilizer salts can build rapidly.
An easy way to cure an over fertilized plant is to flush it out with fresh water at the next watering schedule. Another thing you can do is cover your plants to give them a longer dark cycle. As a last resort, you can put a shade screen over the plants to lower the temps.
You might be able to shock them into a fruiting phase by rototilling gently around the roots, obviously not hitting any of them. Put air in the over-fertilized soil and yes, shake the plants up a little bit emotionally with the vibration. Water. You could also completely rototill the area, take up this new fertilized mulch, and create a brand new garden bed.
To know how to fertilize your plants, click here.
The problem of over-fertilization
While it may seem counter-intuitive, over-fertilization is not a good thing for plants. Fertilizer is not plant food, it is simply a collection of building blocks plants use to produce their own nutrients. Over-fertilization often results in an unusually high accumulation of salts in the soil, as well as excess nitrogen. While any type of fertilizer can certainly be applied to excess, these two factors cause the bulk of the damage in over-fertilized plants. Over-fertilizing outdoor plants can result in chemical run-off that threatens waterways.
Signs of over-fertilization
A variety of vague symptoms can indicate over-fertilization, including yellowing and wilting of lower plant leaves; browning of leaf margins and tips; black, brown or rotting roots; slow to no growth; sudden death of seedlings; and leaf drop. The soil in potted plants may also develop a white, crusty surface. Too many fertilizer applications sometimes cause new and unregulated growth, encouraging insect pests and disease.
Flushing fertilizer salts
There is little you can do if a plant has been over-fertilized, but flushing the soil will wash away some of the excess fertilizer and salts that the plant hasn't taken in yet. To flush potted plants, apply at least twice the volume of water as affected soil to the pot, allowing it to drain well before flushing again in about an hour. Repeat this every four to six months for plants that require frequent fertilization. Outdoor plants may be flushed by the environment, if rains are heavy. If not, water the plant thoroughly at least twice, providing 1/2 to 1 gallon of water per 1 square foot per watering.
Preventing over-fertilization
The key to preventing over-fertilization outside is soil testing. Every six to 12 months, do a home soil test or send one to a laboratory to determine which, if any, nutrients your plants need. Do not fertilize without a test, and never apply nutrients that aren't needed. Potted plants are much more difficult to manage, but frequent flushing can keep salt levels tolerable.
The problem of over-fertilization
While it may seem counter-intuitive, over-fertilization is not a good thing for plants. Fertilizer is not plant food, it is simply a collection of building blocks plants use to produce their own nutrients. Over-fertilization often results in an unusually high accumulation of salts in the soil, as well as excess nitrogen. While any type of fertilizer can certainly be applied to excess, these two factors cause the bulk of the damage in over-fertilized plants. Over-fertilizing outdoor plants can result in chemical run-off that threatens waterways.
Signs of over-fertilization
A variety of vague symptoms can indicate over-fertilization, including yellowing and wilting of lower plant leaves; browning of leaf margins and tips; black, brown or rotting roots; slow to no growth; sudden death of seedlings; and leaf drop. The soil in potted plants may also develop a white, crusty surface. Too many fertilizer applications sometimes cause new and unregulated growth, encouraging insect pests and disease.
Flushing fertilizer salts
There is little you can do if a plant has been over-fertilized, but flushing the soil will wash away some of the excess fertilizer and salts that the plant hasn't taken in yet. To flush potted plants, apply at least twice the volume of water as affected soil to the pot, allowing it to drain well before flushing again in about an hour. Repeat this every four to six months for plants that require frequent fertilization. Outdoor plants may be flushed by the environment, if rains are heavy. If not, water the plant thoroughly at least twice, providing 1/2 to 1 gallon of water per 1 square foot per watering.
Preventing over-fertilization
The key to preventing over-fertilization outside is soil testing. Every six to 12 months, do a home soil test or send one to a laboratory to determine which, if any, nutrients your plants need. Do not fertilize without a test, and never apply nutrients that aren't needed. Potted plants are much more difficult to manage, but frequent flushing can keep salt levels tolerable.
(My plants are over fertilized, how to solve this problem?)
Over fertilization would have caused your plant to dry and die out. Your plant has just not gone into its fruiting stage. Allow your plant to wilt slightly then water, this should shock it into its fruiting stage. Try not to use many pesticides on it so when the bees come to the flowers they will live to pollinate it. An easy way to cure an over fertilized plant is to flush it out with fresh water at the next watering schedule. Another thing you can do is cover your plants to give them a longer dark cycle. As a last resort, you can put a shade screen over the plants to lower the temps.
You might be able to shock them into a fruiting phase by rototilling gently around the roots, obviously not hitting any of them. Put air in the over-fertilized soil and yes, shake the plants up a little bit emotionally with the vibration. Water. You could also completely rototill the area, take up this new fertilized mulch, and create a brand new garden bed.
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