How to use and precautions of ferrous sulfate

Ferrous sulfate is almost an essential maintenance fertilizer for flowering plants. It can not only adjust the acid-base balance of the soil, but also make the leaves of many plants gradually turn green and reduce yellowing. So how should ferrous sulfate be used? What are the precautions? Let’s learn more about it below.

1. Preparation method

You can buy ferrous sulfate fertilizer specially for flowers in the flower market and mix it with water at a concentration of 0.2%-0.3% to make a solution. That is, take 10g of ferrous sulfate, add 4L-5L of water, mix well and use.

2. Applicable plants

Ferrous sulfate is suitable for flowers and trees that prefer acidic soil, such as camellia, azalea, gardenia , etc.

3. Usage

(1) Root application: dissolve ferrous sulfate in fertilizer water or clean water and directly water the flowers and trees. The concentration of the solution can be controlled at around 2%. Alternatively, you can also place ferrous sulfate directly on the surface soil of the flower pot, and wait for it to gradually penetrate and absorb when watering.

(2) Foliar fertilization: Ferrous sulfate can be dissolved in water and applied to the stems and leaves using a sprayer. It will be absorbed through the air pores on the leaf surface and directly act as a fertilizer. When spraying, it is best to do it in the morning or evening on a windless day. It can also be used together with urea for better results.

4. Notes

(1) Use in moderation: Do not use ferrous sulfate in excess. Excessive use will cause black spots on the surface of plant leaves, accelerate yellowing and leaf fall, and even cause severe soil acidification. It is usually recommended to dilute ferrous sulfate into aqueous solution at a ratio of 1:1000.

(2) Prepare and use immediately: Do not leave the ferrous sulfate solution for too long, as ferrous sulfate is easily oxidized by oxygen in the air. So it is best to dilute the dosage once to ensure it works at its best.

(3) Use alone: ​​Ferrous sulfate easily reacts with elements such as calcium and magnesium, so it should be used alone when growing flowers.

(4) Avoid using with alkaline flowers: Ferrous sulfate is suitable for acid-loving flowers, but it is best not to use it with alkaline flowers. When preparing ferrous sulfate solution, try not to use alkaline water to prevent acid-base neutralization from affecting the fertilizer effect. In addition, if there is no ferrous sulfate at home, you can temporarily use vitamin C or white vinegar instead. The best white vinegar is brewed white vinegar, while red vinegar cannot be used for a long time because it contains salt.

In general, ferrous sulfate is a commonly used gardening product, mainly used to adjust soil pH and supplement the iron needed for plant growth. However, you must be familiar with its usage and precautions in advance to avoid adverse effects.