Along with nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium is one of the primary nutrients essential for plant growth. Although gardeners are in the habit of regularly using potassium chloride in the garden as fertilizer, you should not neglect your indoor plants which also need potassium.
Cleaned of chemical impurities, potassium chloride is one of the basic components that plants need to allow photosynthesis to take place properly. This micro-element will thus stimulate the enzymatic work of plants, increasing their resistance to parasites, fungi and diseases. Since it contains a lot of potassium, a single can of potassium chloride is enough for a few years. Experts recommend only fertilizing indoor plants with this fertilizer twice a year, or immediately after the plant shrinks or becomes covered with spots, to prevent it from dying. It can also be used when the stems grow tall, become pale and deformed.
Let’s see how to encourage beautiful flowering in your plants by adding a little potassium chloride.
NB: To make the fertilizer, dissolve ½ teaspoon of potassium chloride in a 3l jar of water and water the flowers.
What is potassium chloride?
Potassium in soil is very common in agricultural settings and is widely available. It is stored in the soil and collected in the form of salt deposits: nitrates, sulfates and chlorides are the forms of potassium most used in fertilizers. The plants will then release potassium into their crops, before it ends up on our plates. Excellent for health, this mineral is found in various vegetables, fruits, legumes, fatty fish and other dried fruits. Note that our food waste will renew this potassium.
You should know that plants always need potassium. It is essential for water absorption and for synthesizing plant sugars for use as food. It is also responsible for the smooth running of harvests: a sufficient quantity of potassium promotes abundant and better quality flowering. The foods produced are often very rich in potassium, such as bananas.
Using potassium chloride in the garden
Adding potassium chloride to the soil is crucial when the pH is alkaline. Potassium fertilizer increases soil pH, so it should not be used on acid-loving plants like hydrangeas, azaleas and rhododendrons. Indeed, excess potash can cause problems for plants that prefer soils with an acidic or balanced pH. It is advisable to do a soil test to see if yours has a significant potassium deficiency before using potash in the garden.
The supply of potassium chloride to plants is therefore strongly recommended to improve their health, allow a beautiful abundance of flowers and contribute to a consistent harvest of fruits and vegetables. To increase the potassium content, we advise you to add wood ash to your compost. You can also use manure: with its low potassium percentage, it will be useful in compost, but be light-handed because it is a powerful fertilizer which risks burning the roots or weakening the plant. Algae and green sand are also good sources of potash for plants.
Caution: Excess potassium accumulates in the form of salt, which can be harmful to the roots. Annual applications of compost are usually sufficient in the garden unless the soil is sandy. Sandy soils are low in organic matter and will need leaves and materials incorporated into the soil to increase fertility. About ten potassium granules per plant are enough to feed it.
Warning
Certainly, potassium is not a toxic mineral. On the other hand, if the dose is too high, your plant risks having an imbalance during its fertilization program and experiencing significant magnesium or calcium deficiencies. It is always necessary to test the nutrient content of the plant and the substrate.
