The rate of growth varies depending on the type of plant. For example, Aloe Vera takes 3 to 4 years to achieve full maturity, whereas Rose plants only take 45-50 days. However, there are several universal qualities that might help any indoor or outdoor plant grow quicker and stronger.
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So, what causes plants to grow faster and bigger?
Water, air, light, soil nutrients, and the proper temperature, together with affection and care, are the most fundamental components in causing a plant to grow faster and larger. Continue reading to learn the 10 simple methods that can help your plants grow quicker and stronger.
- Soil: Do you want to get your hands dirty? Plants require nutrients from their surroundings. An excellent soil must give all nutrients, including organic matter, air, water, nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium, according to the golden rule. So, to take your soil quality from good to great, never forget to give these nutrients on time!
Adding compost, for example, can help to revitalise the nutrients. Individual requirements, however, may vary. As a result, we must do soil tests on a regular basis to determine which fertilisers are required for which type of soil. The effects can be mesmerising depending on how carefully we provide these tweaks.
- Fertilizers: We can use organic or chemical fertilisers to create a nourishing, organic substrate. Organic fertilisers such as manures, compost, and bone meal are acquired directly from plant or animal sources, whereas artificial fertilisers are manufactured. Fertilizers can also come in liquid, powdered, or granular forms.
Do you know how to put them to use?
Scratch the soil with a cultivator to apply fertiliser. Depending on the form, apply the fertiliser by gently pouring or spreading it. The final step? Simply water thoroughly. Because roots can extend several feet beyond the drip line, fertiliser should be spread widely enough to reach all of them.
- Light: Light is regarded as the vital elixir of vitality. Surprisingly, this is one of the major requirements for plants to produce food. Inadequate light, whether natural or artificial, can stifle development by reducing photosynthesis, the process of converting water and carbon dioxide into the sugars and carbohydrates needed for growth.
The desert cactus thrives in direct sunlight, while the interior snake plant thrives in dim light. Depending on whether we need direct or indirect sunlight, we must always select the best light balance for quick development.
- Temperature: Plants, like humans, are sensitive beings. They also physically respond to temperature swings by displaying a variety of signals. Additional leaves, new branches, more fruit or flowers, and even depth in the colours and textures appear as the temperature rises. Home gardeners frequently cover them with blankets to avoid frost or relocate them entirely from the outdoors during extreme heat.
If you haven’t already started keeping them at appropriate temps, start now and watch the magic unfold.
- Water: Water, like sunshine, is a key requirement for photosynthesis to produce food. Water transports nutrients deep into the soil via the root system. It transports nutrients from the roots to the surface, much like blood does in the human body. Gardeners, on the other hand, frequently overwater or underwater their plants, disrupting the availability of nutrients and harming them.
The amount of water required is determined by the type of plant and the weather conditions to which it is subjected. A simple moisture test in the soil can reveal a lot about the current water requirements. You can determine how much water is required by inserting your finger into the soil. Hydration is enough if it feels damp but not sticky. It is time to feed if the soil seems dry or not moist enough. It is undeniably thirsty. However, ensure that sufficient drainage holes are present in both indoor and outdoor pots to avoid root rotting or damp feet caused by water stagnation.
Nature has a cornucopia of assets for its flora that we can employ to promote development. Let us now discuss some other remarkable methods that can really help our plants grow faster:
Manure
Manure is an excellent way to provide nutrition to the soil. It maintains soil permeability, increases water retention capacity, and protects against nutritional deficits caused by excessive chemical fertiliser use. Organic gardeners should always use chemical-free manure because it has a long-term good impact on the soil. Because the plant absorbs only what it requires, there is no danger of overfeeding with organic waste. It adds macronutrients and micronutrients to the soil, aerates it, and decreases leaching.
Because organic manure can benefit many sorts of plants, you don’t have to be picky when applying it to them.
Peeled Bananas
Gardeners can practically ‘go bananas’ when it comes to employing natural fertilisers made in the home. Sounds crazy, doesn’t it? That is not the case! Banana peels contain up to 42% potassium (K), one of the three main components of any fertiliser, together with nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) (P). When it comes to organic fertilisers, banana peels are perfect for gardening.
Potassium helps to transfer nutrients and water between cells, strengthens stems, and protects plants from a variety of illnesses. Surprisingly, it is also necessary for the production of flowers and the enhancement of fruit flavour. They become more drought-tolerant as their potassium levels rise.
Enough discussing the benefits; how will we actually put them to use? It’s not as difficult as you may assume. Simply bury banana peels in the soil, and the nutrients will be released as they decompose. You may also make banana peel tea by putting banana peels in a container and covering them with water. You’ll have a nutrient-rich liquid fertiliser after a week or two of steeping. Unlike powdered or solid fertilisers, this liquid fertiliser swiftly and directly penetrates the roots. If you want an easier method, you might use a premade natural banana fertiliser powder.
Compost Tea
Are you familiar with the horticultural world’s liquid gold or black gold? It’s tea made from compost! Compost tea is hailed as a miraculous elixir that helps plants grow faster and stronger. Compost tea’s entire idea is to increase the amount of biological life in the soil. This soil life promotes the plant’s steady development and makes it disease resistant. It also delivers healthy bacteria, protozoa, nematodes, and other organisms into the soil, improving soil web life and, as a result, soil quality. The application of compost tea is simple. Simply dilute the tea in 1:4 water and sprinkle it directly onto the soil using a sprayer or water container.
Garlic skin and onion skins
These are excellent ways to supplement nutrients without spending any money. Don’t throw away the peels; instead, soak them in water for 2-3 days before adding them to the soil to generate organic potassium-rich fertiliser. Because this fertiliser contains a high concentration of calcium, iron, magnesium, and copper, the plants become more disease resistant, grow quicker, and produce more flowers and fruits. You now have the knowledge to put them to use!
Water with carbonation
Carbonated water is made by infusing carbon dioxide into water, which creates a bubble effect. You can already hear the fizz, right? Carbon dioxide is an essential component of the photosynthesis cycle, without which plants cannot produce their own sugar. Carbonated water contains macronutrients that are essential for their growth.
Some of the key nutrients present in it are potassium, carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, phosphorus, sulphur, and salt. Because the nutrients have already been dissolved, the plant may absorb them more readily before they drain out of the soil. Carbonated water, on the other hand, should be slowly dripped into the soil. This allows the plants to absorb CO2 and other nutrients.
Questions and Answers
Q1. What factors contribute to delayed plant growth?
Ans. Stunted growth can be a sign of a larger problem, signalling that your plant is sick. To figure out what is driving this delayed development, you must first identify the primary causes. Once you’ve identified the root causes of this rate, you can implement some of the solutions outlined in the article to help your plants regain vigour and composure. To list a few direct causes, these are as follows:
Lack of light or excessive light: One reason they are unable to grow is an imbalance in their exposure to sunlight. When over-exposed, some of them may appear dull and disturbed.
Inadequate or excessive watering: Irregular or excessive watering can also have an effect on the plant’s health over time. Excessive watering can cause nutrients in the soil to be swiftly washed away, leaving fewer and fewer nutrients in the soil for absorption.
Fertilizer deficiency or overapplication:
After a period, the nutrients in the soil are taken by the plant, leaving the soil with nutrient deficiencies. If fertilisers (organic or natural) are not added on a regular basis, development may be slowed.
The pots’ restricted capacity: When the plants outgrow the pots, the roots do not have enough space to spread. They require additional space, so repot them into a larger pot.
Increased salt content due to alkaline water: If the water you use for watering has a high salt content, the soil may begin to accumulate this salt over time, rendering it unhealthy for the roots. It is usually a good idea to have your soil samples tested at laboratories on a regular basis to determine the composition of the soil.
Cold temperatures: When plants are exposed to unfavourable freezing temperatures, they may prefer to focus their efforts on merely surviving the cold rather than investing in new leaves or blooms.
Lack of humidity: Some plants thrive best when kept in a humid environment. They may exhibit ill symptoms such as falling lower leaves if there is a shortage of humidity. Try moving them to damp areas.
Poor drainage: If the drainage in the pots is poor, the water may become stagnant and cause root rotting. If left untreated, this decay can cause substantial damage to the plant from beneath since the roots are unable to take any nutrition from the soil.
Q2. What nutrients can help my plant develop more quickly?
Ans. Fertilizers are an excellent technique to introduce necessary nutrients into the soil. They can provide the essential micro and macronutrients to the plants while also compensating for nutritional deficiencies in the soil over time. Good quality Epsom salt fertilisers can help them grow faster, bushier, and bigger. These can boost their overall health as well as increase the yield and quality of fruits and vegetables. Fertilizers consisting on onion peel, banana peel, or seaweed can also assist greatly accelerate growth. It is usually a wise decision to add fertiliser on a regular basis to ensure an abundance of raw materials to create their meals. However, keep in mind that when selecting these fertilisers from the market, you should always choose for high-quality items!
Q3. What should I put in the soil to help plants grow faster?
Ans. There are numerous ways to fuel plant growth through the soil. However, the soil is a complicated component in this process that requires various ingredients to maintain it from time to time.
The soil should contain a suitable amount of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Potassium for both flowering and non-flowering plants. Adding them through fertilisers enhances their concentration in the soil, allowing your plant to grow faster, and supplies essential and timely nutrients for the absorption and growth of solid stems.
It is also critical to have good drainage and appropriate water retention to avoid soil-related issues that can harm the roots.
The following is a complete list of recommended high-quality items.
in which you can promote plant growth by adding to your soil:
GreenStix are all-purpose plant feeding sticks that give essential nutrients for a much longer period of time with no additional requirements.
BloomStix – These are nutrient-dense food sticks that are high in phosphorus and include an ideal balance of micro and macronutrients for flowering plants. They considerably contribute to the production of healthier flowers in both annuals and perennials.
Organic Seaweed Liquid Fertilizer – This is a completely non-toxic plant food derived from specific marine algae that is high in NPK, natural hormones, amino acids, and other macro and micronutrients. It is a good soil amendment for preventing root infection and fungal illnesses, promoting healthy seed germination, and increasing water retention.
Banana Peel Powder – Bananas are high in nutrients. As a result, potassium, calcium, sodium, manganese, magnesium, and even phosphorus are abundant in this powder. It promotes the general health of the plants by providing a nearly complete bundle of nutrients, resulting in larger, tastier, and more abundant fruits and flowers.
Drainage Expert Pumice Stones – This is a complete answer to soil drainage problems. As a result, adding these stones to the soil increases drainage and moisture-holding capacity while also preventing root rot as they absorb excess moisture.
Epsom Salt Fertilizer is a completely water-soluble plant food that, when put to the soil, supplies two important elements for a healthy plant: magnesium and sulphur. It makes them bushier, bigger, and more productive.
Finally, it is critical to comprehend a basic natural law. All efforts to promote plant development will never yield immediate benefits. As a result, they should be given the opportunity to thrive. The optimal production is only possible with consistent efforts and tenacity. Make these easy changes and marvel at the sorcery of each new leaf or petal you see spreading its attraction, one marvel at a time.