Question
Good Morning Dear Will Creed

I have plant in the pot with self watering.
How to put the slow release fertilizer should be.
On top or in the soil.
Thank you.

Best regards
Hidajadi

Answer
Hi Hidajadi,

Slow or timed release fertilizer is always best applied by mixing it into and throughout the potting mix. In the case of a self-watering planter, it must be mixed into the soil to have any effect. Otherwise, the fertilizer pellets will just sit on top of the soil undissolved.

As an alternative, you can use a liquid fertilizer added to the water in the self-watering pot.

That said, I do need to advise you that the value of all fertilizers is vastly over-stated. Plants use nutrients in very minute quantities so it is a rare plant that benefits significantly from fertilizer. Fertilizers are intended for healthy, vigorously growing plants that use up more nutrients. Never use fertilizer as "medicine" for ailing plants.

I have written an article on fertilizing indoor plants that I will email for free to you (or anyone else) who sends a request to me at [email protected].

Please let me know if any of this is unclear or if you have any additional questions.

If this information has been helpful, please click the Rate Volunteer bar below and enter a rating and nomination for me. I am a volunteer on this site so Ratings are the only compensation I receive for answering plant questions.

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Regards,
Will Creed, Interior Landscaper
Horticultural Help, NYC

Visit my website at: A link to HorticulturalHelp.com