Feed Your Plants Right: A Simple Fertilizing Guide 🌱

Hey there,

Fertilizing might sound like something only pros do, but it's one of the easiest ways to take your indoor garden from “meh” to magnificent.
The right nutrients at the right time can mean brighter blooms, bigger leaves, and happier plants overall.

In this issue, we’re diving into a feeding routine for a notoriously picky bloomer, how to fix overfeeding mistakes, and how to whip up your own fertilizer from everyday scraps.

Plant of the Week
Orchid – The Feeding Schedule for Brilliant Blooms🌸

Orchids get a bad rap for being fussy, but once you nail the feeding rhythm, they’ll reward you with stunning, long-lasting blooms.

How to Feed Orchids Right:

✔ Use a balanced orchid fertilizer (like 20-20-20) diluted to half strength.

✔ Feed every 2 weeks during spring and summer; once a month in fall and winter.

✔ Apply after watering, not on dry roots, to prevent fertilizer burn.

✔ Stop feeding when the plant goes dormant (usually after blooming).

💡 Pro Tip: Clear pots aren’t just for looks, orchid roots photosynthesize! Keep them in bright, indirect light and you’ll boost both growth and bloom potential.

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Indoor Troubleshooting
Overfertilization? Here’s How to Fix It

Too much of a good thing can turn your plant sour. Overfertilizing causes stress, salt buildup, and leaf damage. Here’s how to spot it, and save your plant:

🚨 Signs You’re Overdoing It:

• White crust on soil surface or pot edges
  

• Brown or crispy leaf tips
  

• Yellowing or droopy leaves, despite watering

✅ Fix It Fast:

• Flush the soil: 
  
  Water your plant thoroughly, letting water drain through to wash out excess salts. Repeat 2–3 times.

• Pause feeding: 
  
  Give your plant a break for 3–4 weeks before resuming a lighter feeding schedule.
  

• Repot if needed: 
  
  If salt buildup is heavy or roots look damaged, refresh with clean soil and a new container.

💡 Pro Tip: Always follow the “less is more” rule, underfeeding is much easier to recover from than overfeeding.

Creative Indoor Ideas
DIY Liquid Fertilizer from Kitchen Scraps

Why toss what your plants would love to eat? Homemade fertilizer is cost-effective, sustainable, and surprisingly simple:

🍌 Banana Peel Brew: 

Soak banana peels in a jar of water for 2–3 days, then water your plants with the potassium-rich liquid. Great for flowering plants!

☕ Coffee Ground Mix: 

Mix used coffee grounds with water and let it sit for 24 hours. Strain and use on acid-loving plants like ferns or African violets.

🥬 Veggie Scrap Soak: 

Soak leftover leafy greens or veggie peels in water, strain, and use to water houseplants, hello, nitrogen boost!

💡 Pro Tip: Always dilute your homemade fertilizers with extra water and test on one plant first to ensure there’s no adverse reaction.

Let Your Plants Feast (The Right Way)

Feeding your plants doesn’t have to be complicated. With a little consistency, homemade hacks, and smart observation, you’ll see healthier growth and more vibrant greenery in no time.

🌿 Want to take your plant care skills to the next level? Whether you’re building a low-maintenance cacti display, dreaming of a tropical focal point with bold palms, or trying to figure out why your tropical leaves are turning yellow, we’ve got you covered. And if herbs are more your vibe, check out our guide on the 5 easiest herbs to grow indoors, perfect for small kitchens and big flavors.

Explore all this and more on My Indoor Garden, we’re growing right along with you.

Best regards,
My Indoor Garden Team