Table of contents
- Fertilizer principles
- promote flowering
- eggshells
- rock flour
- horn shavings
- coffee grounds
- potato water
- compost
- chalk
- Damn
- mulch
- vegetable manure
- tea set
Snow roses bloom in the cold season. Depending on the variety, the colors of the flowers range from white to pink to deep purple. However, in order for the Christmas rose to bloom so beautifully, it needs an appropriate location and fertilizer that promotes its willingness to bloom. Home remedies can also be used for this. It is important to always proceed with caution when fertilizing.
Fertilizer principles
Christmas roses (Helleborus niger) require so little nutrients that less is generally more. For example, if they grow under trees, larger bushes or between deciduous perennials, it is quite sufficient if the leaves are not removed in winter. It provides the black hellebore with sufficient nutrients as it rots. If the flowers grow in a perennial bed, they also do not need extra fertilization if the bed is supplied with fertilizer in spring anyway.
promote flowering
The right fertilizer should not only support the growth of perennials. If you fertilize incorrectly, leaves will grow, but there will be no flowers. Christmas roses need a lot of lime to bloom. It is therefore important to pay attention to the lime content of the soil and fertilizer. In the long run, the plant does not feel well in acidic substrate.
eggshells
In most households, these natural fertilizers accumulate in greater or lesser numbers. The shells are mainly calcareous, but they also contain other minerals. There is no need to differentiate between raw and cooked eggs. The shells can be crushed and added to the compost, or they can be finely ground and incorporated into the soil near the Christmas roses. Ground eggshells can also be mixed into the substrate for potted plants.
rock flour
It works in a similar way to eggshells and supplies the plants with other minerals in addition to the lime they need. Rock flour can also be added to compost or plant manure.
A notice:
Egg shells and rock flour are not suitable as the only fertilizers, as they would lead to a nutrient deficiency as they have a one-sided effect.
horn shavings
Or horn meal are fast-acting organic fertilizers that can be easily mixed in soil and can therefore also provide potted plants with nutrients. A small amount is sufficient for Christmas roses.
coffee grounds
Although this fertilizer is very rich, it is only conditionally suitable for Christmas roses. Coffee residues strongly acidify the soil. It is therefore necessary that a calcareous fertilizer is also given. If the soil is already acidic, it is better to use other fertilizers. Or the coffee grounds are composted and mixed with other plant residues. Then the acidifying effect is no longer as strong.
potato water
Only boiling water with little or no salt is suitable for fertilizing. Before it is used, it has to cool down and can then simply be used to water the Christmas roses. In addition to nutrients, potato water also contains important trace elements.
compost
Most kitchen waste is suitable as a source of nutrients if it has taken a detour via the compost heap. There they are transformed into loose, nutritious soil that is good for many plants. Black hellebore already benefits from compost soil when planted. In addition, potted plants can be placed back in compost when repotted, additional fertilizer is then not required. Compost is worked into the beds around the plants twice a year.
chalk
Chalk is not suitable as the sole fertilizer, but it is well suited for liming the plants. Chalk can be crushed and mixed into the soil, or a piece of blackboard chalk can be stuck into the soil near the plants.
Tip:
Only white chalk is suitable, without other additives.
Damn
Cow, horse or other animal manure should be used sparingly when fertilizing Christmas roses. Manure is always very rich in nutrients and there is a risk of over-fertilization. However, it is well suited to be worked into the soil when planting and to provide the plants with nutrients in the early days.
mulch
Continuous mulching of the beds is well suited for an even supply of nutrients. Further fertilizing is then usually superfluous, at most a lime application from time to time can be useful. Mulch also protects against dehydration and suppresses weeds. Suitable plant materials:
- Foliage (except oak or walnut)
- Grass clippings (do not apply too thick)
- dried weed
- plant clippings
A notice:
Do not use bark mulch, this acidifies the soil.
vegetable manure
Slurry from different plants is easy to make yourself. The required amount of plant matter is mixed with water in a bucket and then left to stand until fermentation has stopped. This can be recognized by the fact that no more bubbles rise. Slurry is always used diluted with water and the plants can then simply be watered with it.
Plants from which liquid manure can be made for fertilization
- nettle
- goutweed
- dandelion
- Mixture of different herbs
A notice:
Plant manure not only fertilizes, it also strengthens plants against pests and diseases.
tea set
Not only coffee grounds, but also tea grounds can be used for fertilization. This does not only apply to loose tea. However, tea bags must first be composted if you do not want to cut them open, then sprinkle the loose tea around the plants and work it into the soil. If tea is used, some lime should also be added.
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