Tips for healthy plants
Balcony plants enhance the view from the window and transform the outdoor space into a green paradise. To ensure you can enjoy the beautiful flowers and lush greenery for a long time, you can give your plants a little help. Here is a rundown of the most important tips:
1. Only plant in the appropriate location
There is a right plant for every location. So, before you buy plants consider exactly what the site can offer the plants to avoid disappointment. Our plant portrait includes information on suitable sites.
2. Water as required
Each plant has its own care requirements but most flowers need regularly watering, especially in summer. The soil should not dry out in many of them. Do not water over the leaves from the top, only water from below, directly in the soil. Plus: holiday watering tips. Too much water can also damage flowers. Very few plants can tolerate being so-called waterlogged. Roots and vegetation often rot and die off. What is important: the pot or flower box always has a drainage hole underneath so that excess water can drain off immediately. Do not use saucers, especially if your plants are exposed to the rain. Otherwise, despite the hole in the bottom, the water cannot drain very well and waterlogging rots the roots.
3. Feed your plants now and again
Without nutrients, fruit and flower formation diminishes and your plants become stunted. The composition of the fertiliser and dosage are different according to the type of plant. Why organic fertilisers are different.
4. Always remove withered leaves
You should always remove dead and wilted flowers and leaves – a small effort that pays off. Because this not only looks better, it also stimulates your plant to generate new flowers and keeps it healthy for a long time.
5. Pots need to be big enough
Only when roots are able to spread can the upper part of the plant grow well. If the pot is too small, not even the best care can help. So, make sure there is sufficient space in the pot.
6. Identifying pests and diseases
Even plants on the balcony can be infested by pests or diseases. Plants that are stressed, for example, by drought, waterlogging or an under or over supply of nutrients, are particularly susceptible to disease and pests.
Regularly check your plants for pest infestation. Pay particular attention to the growing tips and the undersides of leaves. Most pests can be found here.
Neudorff offers balcony and terrace gardeners a whole raft of highly effective and environmentally-friendly products. You can find the right control tips and appropriate agents via our damage photos.
Tip: You can find damage photos and ways to tackle it in our Plant Doctor and in the Garden Guide.