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Which Vitamin Is Best For Plants – Top 5 Best Plant Foods Reviewed
Things are not too different when it comes to pots or flowers in your yard. Plants require a bit of care, but you can take this venture further and invest in vitamins as well. Not only do they grow better and come up with more beautiful colors, but they will also be healthy. Now, which vitamin is best for plants and why?
If you have ever bought or received flowers, you have probably noticed already many of them come with a small sachet attached at the bottom of the bouquet. It is a sachet of vitamins and nutrients to drop in the water and feed plants, so they last longer.
Top 5 Best Vitamin Products for Plants
SUPERthrive VI30155 Plant Vitamin Solution
- Superthrive Is a Highly Concentrated Non-toxic Vitamin Solution Invigorating All Variety of Greenery for Home Gardeners and Professionals Alike. It Is Equally Suited for Hydro-seeding, Hydroponics, and Foliar Spraying.
- Superthrive Replenishes the Soil to Nourish and Encourage the Natural Building Blocks That Plants Make Themselves under Optimum Conditions.
- Superthrive Maximizes Potential by Quickly Building a Strong Root Base and Reducing Transplant Shock
SUPERthrive is one of the most popular products out there. The product is available in more sizes, but the pint size brings in the best value for money – the more you buy at once, the better. You can also get it in multi packs if you have a large garden.
The solution has a high concentration of vitamins and can be used for a plethora of different plants. You can use it for indoor plants, outdoor plants and even lawns. It is also suitable for hydroponics, foliar spraying and hydro seeding.
The solution is not toxic, yet you should not exaggerate and abuse it. It feeds plants and replenishes the soil. It stimulates the building of a solid root base, but it also reduces potential damage when plants are moved.
Pros
- Excellent for maintenance, growth and transplant shock reduction
- Suitable for all types of plants and lawns
- Nontoxic ingredients
- Good value for money
Cons
- There is no expiration date, but the manufacturer recommends using it within two years of the purchase
Liquinox 0-2-0 Start With Vitamin B-1
- Starter solution for new plantings and transplants
- For root growth, reduces transplant shock
- Active Ingredients: Phosphate, Chelated Iron, Derived From Phosphoric Acid, Ferric Edta
- Start is a transplant solution of growth promoting substances that includes vitamin B-1
- Alpha naphthalene acetic acid hormonelike substance, yucca extract base, chelated Iron and phosphoric acid
Liquinox is another major player on the market. It comes in a gallon bottle, but you can find smaller options too, as well as multi packs. The solution is ideal for growing plants, as well as transplants. So, which vitamin is best for plants then?
Liquinox is rich in ingredients that bring in vitamin B1. Some of the active substances in its composition include chelated iron and phosphate. You also have phosphoric acid, alpha naphthalene acetic acid and yucca extract base. The acetic acid for plants is like hormones for people.
While mostly recommended for new plants, the vitamin mix can be used for old plants as well. It stimulates the root growth and works on any kind of plant – cuttings, seedlings, bedding plants, roses, shrubs and even your lawn. Applications should be frequent, but light.
Pros
- Excellent for new plants
- Suitable for all kinds of plants and flowers
- Great value for money
- Promotes a fast growth in new plants
Cons
- Requires a bit of preparation before administration, but instructions are clear
Miracle-Gro Quick Start Planting & Transplant Starting Solution
- Gives transplants the nutrients they need to thrive
- For all flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, transplants and seedlings
- Liquid concentrate - mix with water
- Helps prevent transplant shock
- Stimulates root growth for faster blooms versus unfed plants
Miracle-Gro has a self-explanatory name. Make sure you have the best organic potting soil for your plants and the vitamin solution will do everything else for you. The solution is recommended to most plants out there – seedlings, trees, flowers, transplants, shrubs, vegetables and bedding plants.
It is available in more sizes, but the 48 ounce bottle provides better value for money. The substance is a concentrate, meaning you will have to mix it with water. Instructions are crystal clear though – nothing to worry about.
The mix is mostly based on vitamins, but other nutrients are also included. It prevents transplant shocks, helps plants grow and stimulates the root growth. There is a pattern you have to follow, so do not use it on a daily basis – most commonly, you will have to do it weekly.
Pros
- Great for most types of plants
- Ideal to prevent transplant shocks and stimulate growth
- Mix of vitamins and other nutrients
- Good value for money
Cons
- Smell can put you off, especially if you use it for indoor plants
RAW B Vitamin
So, which vitamin is best for plants? Vitamin B is a common requirement, so lots of supplements and feeding solutions are based on it. This supplement brings in nothing but raw vitamin B. It comes in a bunch of different sizes – the bigger the package, the more cost efficient your purchase is.
Vitamin B is excellent against all kinds of stress (heat, transplants and so on) and can also help in hydroponics, soil growth and foliar spraying. It maintains the metabolism of your plants at the highest standards.
Applying the vitamin is fairly simple because it is soluble. Check out the instructions, mix it with water, stir and feed your plants. The supplement has 1% vitamin B – probably the highest concentration in this segment. At the same time, it has 9% magnesium.
Pros
- Possibly the highest concentration of vitamin B on the market
- Rich amounts of magnesium
- Useful in all kinds of applications
- Easy to mix and apply
Cons
- No expiration date, so it might be a bit confusing
Miracle-Gro Water Soluble All Purpose Plant Food
- Full of essential nutrients, it instantly feeds to grow bigger, more beautiful plants versus unfed plants
- Feed every 1 to 2 weeks
- Use with the Miracle Gro garden feeder or any watering can
- For all flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs and houseplants
- Safe for all plants, guaranteed not to burn when used as directed
Available in various sizes, Miracle-Gro’s vitamin solution is practically a type of all-purpose food for plants. You can get it in small packages – just eight ounces – or bigger boxes – up to 10 pounds in size. This is an all-purpose supplement, but you can also find specialized varieties – roses, flowers, tomatoes and so on.
It is rich in all kinds of nutrients. It has vitamins, as well as a few minerals recommended to plants. Feeding plants on a regular basis will help them grow bigger, but also wider and richer. The supplement must be given every one or two weeks though and not on a daily basis – simply check the instructions.
It is recommended for most lowers, trees, bedding plants, shrubs, vegetables and houseplants, so it literally makes no difference what you are growing. It requires mixing with water. It is, however, important to respect frequency and mixing amounts. Using it wrongly can burn your plants.
Pros
- Excellent for everything, from trees and shrubs to flowers and houseplants
- A healthy mix of vitamins and nutrients
- Clear instructions on how to mix or use it
- Can be purchased in more sizes and more specialized alternatives
Cons
- Can burn plants if you use it too often or you fail to follow the mixing recommendations
What To Look For In Vitamin For Plants
Lots of plants can survive without supplementing them. Just take a look at all the wild trees, flowers and plants around you. They get lots of food from oxygen, hydrogen and carbon – whether they are in the air or the water.
A bit of supplementation will make the difference though. Feeding your plants on a regular basis will guarantee larger and richer plants. At the same time, feeding plants is essential when moving them, as supplementation can help them survive the transplant.
Now, which vitamin is best for plants? What do you need to look for when buying plant food?
Vitamin B
Most plant foods and supplements are rich in vitamins. While you can find products specifically based on nothing but vitamins, most others also bring in a heavy amount of vitamins, along other nutrients. From all the options out there, it seems vitamin B is the most significant one, so lots of manufacturers use it as a main ingredient.
Studies analyzing the impact of vitamin B (especially B1) over plants are not necessarily conclusive. Some studies claim there are no connections, while others show differently. One thing is for sure. Based on thousands of ratings and reviews, it seems vitamin B stimulates the growth, but it also helps plants during transplants. For this reason, lots of brands implement it as a top ingredient.
Other vitamins
The same story applies to vitamins C and E – studies are not conclusive, but they are widely used and the wide majority of buyers claim on great benefits.
It seems vitamin C is helpful if you live in a polluted area – such as city centers and industrial areas. The vitamin will help the plant tolerate smog better, but it will also improve the photosynthesis. It seems vitamin C is a protective element against ozone. If you use it on fruit trees, fruits tend to be more nutritious.
On the other hand, vitamin E is not to be overlooked either. If you live in a relatively cold area, vitamin E will increase the resistance to cold temperatures. In the long run, your plants will become cold resistant, which is a plus for gardeners.
Value for money
Now that you know what kind of nutrients your plants need, you have to hunt value for money. Ideally, you should get plant food as a concentrate. Whether it is soluble in water or it comes as a liquid, you should be able to mix it with water to achieve the desired results. Simply put, a large bottle will give you months or maybe even years of regular uses.
Ease of use
The ideal plant food should be mixed with water and stirred. Simple as that. Assuming you have the best soil for plants, it will absorb everything within minutes only. Top brands come up with this type of product. However, you will also find plant food that requires lots of preparation and mixes. Some of them are time consuming, while others require making separate purchases too. Go with simplicity then – the mix should be ready to go within less than a minute.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is perfectly normal to come up with a few questions while trying to figure which vitamin is best for plants. Here are the most common concerns out there.
How often should I feed my plants?
The answer to this question depends on multiple factors. For instance, it depends on the plants you have. Some of them require feeding in the spring time, while others need food in the fall season or on a regular basis. Then, it depends on the product you use too. At this point, make sure you double check the instructions. Some products can be used once a week, while others require monthly uses.
What happens if I feed my plant too often?
While many of the vitamins and foods for plants are natural, they can become aggressive towards your plants if you overfeed them. For example, you risk killing your plants. Too many nutrients will burn plants – just like too much water does. Of course, it depends on what kind of plants you have, but remember – feeding your plants too often will not help them grow faster. Simply stick to the manufacturer’s instructions.
Can I overfeed plants?
Yes, but a little attention to the instructions will prevent you from doing so. If your plant has weak roots, they are vulnerable to all kinds of affections. Disease, heat or drought can cause significant problems. Sometimes, the excess of food and nutrients can also cause roots to suffer. Dead stems and leaves will end up on the ground, creating a thatch that prevents air and water from reaching roots. The same problems may occur if your plants have healthy roots too, so avoid overfeeding them.
Conclusion
As a short final conclusion, feeding plants is not as easy as feeding yourself, but it is not too complicated either. Which vitamin is best for plants then? Most experts agree on vitamin B, but more nutrients in a specifically formulated food will not harm your plants.
Make sure you stick to quality products from reputable brands. If they are around for years, they have a good reputation and their products have great ratings, chances are those products will work wonders on your plants too.
No matter what you buy, remember that different plants have different needs. Also, different products come with different requirements and application rules. Always check the instructions and follow them in the smallest details.
Meta: Find out which vitamin is best for plants, but also educate yourself on the best foods to keep your plants healthy.