When you have plants in or around the home, you want to have the best possible blooms and flowers. This means you need strong, healthy plants that receive the proper nutrients. Sugar has long been added to plants to boost growth and foliage, and by knowing how to use it you can have beautiful plants as well.
What Does Sugar Water Do?
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When you add sugar to your plant's water supply, it changes the ability of the plants to absorb water. In some instances this is helpful such as when the plants are dying off, but in other cases this will damage the plants when the plant is already functioning properly.
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When to Use Sugar Water
Sugar water is typically all right for use on cut flowers that are beginning to wilt. The cut roots absorb the sugar and typically come alive a bit more. When you have live plants with wilted leaves, a bit of sugar water often brings them back to life as well. Do not oversaturate the plants with sugar, but instead use about 1 tsp. sugar per quart of water.
When to Avoid Sugar Water
Avoid using sugar water on plants that are growing properly. Plants use photosynthesis to produce the amount of nutrients they need, and often if you add sugar when the plants area already growing well on their own, the plant roots will not accept the sugar and plants will wilt and die off.
Alternative Methods
Plant food is a safe alternative to sugar water. The plant food is available at gardening centers, home improvement stores and many supermarkets as well. At many florists, when you purchase or receive cut flowers you are typically given a small packet of plant food along with use instructions. Follow the instructions on the packet or container of plant food, making sure the food is safe for the type of plants you have.