Fertilization made simple, best watering, encouraging blossoms

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Fertile and friendly: Miracle-Gro Singles are a wonderful innovation, especially where fertilization of container plants is concerned. Each packet contains a 24-8-16 (nitrogen-potassium-phosphorus) formula of granulated fertilizer meant to be dissolved in water for application by watering can. For outdoor use, whether watering in the garden or in containers, you dissolve one packet per gallon of water. If you are watering a patch of vegetables or a flower bed, each gallon of fertilizer solution will cover 10 square feet. For indoor plants, a more diluted solution of one packet per 2 gallons of water is recommended. In addition to the three macronutrients cited above, this fertilizer contains some essential micronutrients: iron, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum and boron. Last but not least, EDTA, a chelating agent, is also present. A chelating agent (“chelate” comes from the Greek word for “crab’s claw”) helps make iron in the soil available to plants; the help is needed because it’s tied up by alkaline components in our water. The crab-like chelate grabs hold of the iron and frees it from its alkaline prison, allowing it to be taken up by plant roots.

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Can do: A watering can is essential when it comes to keeping newly planted seeds moist and container plants hydrated. A watering can gives you pinpoint control over water application that not even a hose-end attachment provides. The watering can “rose” assures that water is applied in a soft, steady stream, which, when necessary, can immediately be interrupted by bringing the watering can back to the vertical.

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Make the cut: Prune and deadhead perennials that have stopped blooming. Cut back penstemon stems to two green leaves and they may flower again later in the summer. Prune back beeblossom (Gaura/Oenothera lindheimeri) to a height of 12-15 inches for rebloom a month from now. Deadhead star clusters flowers (Pentas lanceolatea) for a continuous bloom that will be assisted by a shot of fertilizer (see tip 1above) and a consistent watering regime.

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Acidic solution: Fertilize azaleas and camellias with a product recommended for acidloving plants. If plants are mulched, move mulch out of the way before fertilizer application. Ideally, you will use a product that dissolves readily in water and fertilizes through the leaves and the roots so you can freely drench both the plant and the soil around it.

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Multiplication technique:

Propagate azaleas and camellias through layering. Take a low-lying branch and cut halfway through it, making the cut several inches to a foot down from the branch end. Apply root hormone to the cut. Place a small piece of wood to keep the cut open. Now bury the cut area in the ground or — if the branch is too high up to make soil contact — in potting soil in a container tall enough to reach the height of the branch. Secure branch to soil with landscape or drip line staples. Roots should form by the fall, when you can then sever the new plant from its parent and plant it in the garden, or keep it, for now, in the container in which it rooted.