The Problem with Non-Flowering Plants
Many people experience frustration when their flowering plants stop producing blooms.
This can happen due to a variety of reasons:
poor soil nutrition, lack of sunlight, incorrect watering, or simply the absence of the right nutrients necessary for floral development.
To help plants bloom, you need to provide nutrients that stimulate and support the flowering process.
The key lies in two natural ingredients: bone meal and vegetable charcoal.
Fertilizer #1: Bone Meal – A Natural Source of Potassium
Bone meal is a traditional and highly effective organic fertilizer derived from animal bones that have been ground into a fine powder.
It’s commonly found in gardening centers, agricultural stores, and larger supermarkets in the gardening section.
What makes bone meal so effective for flowering plants is its high phosphorus and potassium content, both of which are essential for flower production.
Potassium, in particular, plays a vital role in:
Enhancing flower size and color
Strengthening plant tissues
Improving disease resistance
Boosting the overall vitality of plants
Using bone meal regularly can significantly improve the chances of healthy and consistent flowering, especially in plants that are struggling to bloom.
Fertilizer #2: Vegetable Charcoal – A Soil Enhancer Rich in Nutrients.
The second ingredient is vegetable charcoal—but it’s very important to use the correct type.
This should be raw vegetable charcoal, not the type used in barbecue grills, which usually contains grease, chemicals, and salt.
These substances are harmful to plants.
Vegetable charcoal, in its pure form, is a natural source of:
Carbon – Improves soil structure and promotes beneficial microbial life.
Magnesium and Boron – Essential for chlorophyll production and nutrient absorption
Organic Matter – Helps retain moisture and improve soil aeration.
Together, these nutrients work to enhance plant development, especially when paired with the phosphorus-rich bone meal.
How to Prepare This Bloom-Boosting Fertilizer Solution
Ingredients:
500 ml of water (preferably chlorine-free)
1 heaping tablespoon of bone meal
2 heaping tablespoons of vegetable charcoal (crushed)
Storage Tips:
Short-Term (Liquid Mix):
Shelf Life: Up to 5 days in the fridge.
Container: Store in a clean glass jar or plastic bottle with a tight lid.
Shake before use, as the bone meal and charcoal will settle at the bottom.
Long-Term (Dry Ingredients):
Bone Meal:
Store in a sealed container in a cool, dry place.
Keep away from moisture to prevent clumping or spoilage.
Crushed Vegetable Charcoal:
Store in an airtight bag or container.
Keep away from water and humidity to preserve its structure and nutrient content.
Bonus Tip:
For convenience, you can pre-mix dry bone meal and charcoal in a 1:2 ratio and store in a labeled jar. Just add a spoonful to water as needed!
Variations:
Add Molasses (Optional Boost):
1 teaspoon of unsulfured molasses can feed soil microbes and improve nutrient uptake.
Mix it into the water before adding the dry ingredients.
Add Seaweed Extract or Fish Emulsion:
For even more flowering power, add a few drops of seaweed extract or fish emulsion.
Both are rich in micronutrients and natural growth hormones.
Compost Tea Blend:
Mix the bone meal and charcoal into a cup of finished compost tea instead of plain water for an extra-rich, organic tonic.
Sprinkle as a Dry Top Dressing:
In very wet climates or for pots that drain quickly, you can sprinkle the dry mix directly onto the soil around plants, then water it in.
Tips for Best Results:
Apply in the Morning: Plants absorb nutrients more efficiently when watered early in the day.
Use Warm (Room Temp) Water: This helps dissolve and activate nutrients better.
Test on One Plant First: Always try a small batch on a single plant before using broadly—especially for sensitive plants.
Avoid Overuse: Too much phosphorus can inhibit other nutrients. Stick to the recommended schedule.
Use for All Bloomers: Works great for roses, petunias, marigolds, hibiscus, bougainvillea, even flowering vegetables like peppers and tomatoes.
Bone Meal (per tablespoon, approx.):
Phosphorus (P): ~15%
Promotes strong root development and boosts flower and fruit formation.
Calcium (Ca): ~20%
Strengthens cell walls and helps transport other nutrients.
Potassium (K): Trace amounts
Enhances flower color, size, and overall plant vitality.
Nitrogen (N): Minimal
Encourages leafy growth, but not the main purpose of bone meal.
Vegetable Charcoal (per tablespoon, crushed):
Carbon (C): ~60–70%
Improves soil structure, aeration, and microbial life.
Magnesium (Mg): Trace
Vital for chlorophyll production and flower formation.
Boron (B): Trace
Aids in pollen formation and flower development.
Potassium (K): Trace
Supports blooming and resilience.
pH-neutral or slightly alkaline:
Helps buffer overly acidic soils, supporting nutrient uptake.