Make fertilizer for oleanders yourself: 3 instructions for organic fertilizers
The oleander: One of the most popular summer flowering plants in the Mediterranean has been moving into the home garden in recent years. The Moroccan shrub fascinates with its flowers and provides a holiday feeling on the terrace or on the balcony. So that the container plant can reach its maximum height and width, and that it blooms throughout the summer, proper care plays a crucial role. The plant needs a lot of water and must be supplied with nutrients regularly during the flowering period in summer. For this purpose, both special long-term and liquid fertilizers for oleanders are offered in the trade. Many hobby gardeners prefer to make the fertilizer for oleanders themselves. A self-made organic fertilizer mostly replaces the purchased one and can improve the soil in the planter. We offer 3 instructions on how to make fertilizer for oleanders yourself.
Make fertilizer for oleanders yourself: Use organic fertilizers to promote growth and prolong flowering
Oleander care begins after planting. The shrub needs a lot of water, so it is best to water the potting soil right after planting and then fertilize the fresh soil for the first time. In spring, the oleander is usually fertilized twice a month and in summer – if necessary even every week. But be careful when fertilizing. A self-made organic fertilizer takes longer than liquid fertilizer to release its nutrients. Inexperienced hobby gardeners usually find it difficult to assess the right can and tend to give too much fertilizer in one dose. If the plant leaves turn brown, it is a sign that the oleander is over-fertilized.
Since the oleander grows very quickly and abundantly, it not only needs the usual nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphate, but also trace elements and minerals. That is why most gardeners combine several fertilizer variants for optimal results.
Make your own fertilizer: rock flour in spring
The rock flour is created by grinding the stone and is given to strong plants in addition to the fertilizer. For the oleander, which thrives well in a slightly acidic soil, there is rock powder made from diabase or lava. It provides the roots with the necessary minerals and makes the shrub more resistant to infestation by lice or spider mites. It is worked in around the roots of the plant in spring. However, some hobby gardeners prefer to dissolve it in the irrigation water. Others who make compost mix the rock flour with the compost. It depends on the right can: Ideally, it should be 120 g per square meter.
Make oleander fertilizer yourself: coffee grounds as organic fertilizer
The coffee grounds are traditionally added to the compost heap in the German garden. Especially with heavy feeders like the oleander, it can also be used as an organic fertilizer. So the potting soil is enriched with humus and made acidic. Perfect for the Mediterranean shrub that feels particularly good in a humus rich soil with a pH below 6.5. This is how the fertilizer is made from coffee grounds:
- Collect the coffee grounds and sprinkle them on newspaper in a warm place. Let it dry and then keep it airtight.
- When planting in spring, add a cup of coffee grounds to the ground and mix well.
- After repotting or planting, cover the soil with a thin layer of bark mulch.
Banana peels are an alternative to coffee grounds.
Making fertilizer for oleanders: banana peels
Dried banana peels and processed into organic fertilizers are a cheap alternative to liquid fertilizers from retailers. They are not only suitable for the oleander, but can also be used as fertilizer for other plants. How to make your own oleander fertilizer from banana peels:
- Use only peels of organic bananas that have not been treated with pesticides. Cut the banana peel in very small pieces and sprinkle it on newspaper.
- Place the banana peel in a sunny, warm and dry place and wait for it to dry completely.
- Store the dried banana peels in an airtight can in a cool and dark place.
- About two weeks after you have ground rock flour into the soil, you can prepare liquid fertilizer with banana peels and add it to the irrigation water.
- For this purpose, add about 150 g of banana peels to the boiling water and simmer for 2-3 minutes on low heat. Then let the banana water cool overnight at room temperature. Pour the banana water through a fine sieve and remove the banana peels.
- Mix 100 ml of banana water with 500 ml of water and pour the oleander every two weeks.
Make oleander fertilizer yourself: egg shells
Not only coffee grounds and banana peels are available for the production of an organic fertilizer. Eggshells can also provide your oleander with the necessary nutrients. This is how you can make the oleander fertilizer from eggshells yourself:
- Grind the shells into three medium-sized eggs and place them in a disposable bowl full of one liter of lukewarm water.
- Place the bowl in a cool and dry place (but not in the refrigerator) and leave it uncovered for 7 days.
- Then sieve the water with a fine sieve and remove any remaining eggshell.
- Water the oleander every two weeks.
Homemade organic fertilizers: an overview of the advantages and disadvantages
If you use a self-made organic fertilizer for your oleander, you should be aware of its disadvantages and advantages. We offer you an overview and explain when you should make a fertilizer for oleanders yourself:
+ The organic fertilizer releases the nutrients much more slowly, but more evenly. In this way, the hobby gardeners avoid that the soil is washed out by rain or watering or that it is suddenly overloaded with too much fertilizer.
+ An organic fertilizer is not dangerous for children and pets. It is practically impossible to produce too high concentrations of the organic fertilizer and thus damage the oleander.
– The production of organic fertilizers at home is a time-consuming task. For this reason, the hobby gardener should ideally start in winter to have enough fertilizer at the beginning of the gardening season.
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