The Blue Daze plant, Evolvulus glomeratus, is admired for its abundant, sky-blue flowers. Proper nutrition is essential for its health and prolific blooming, ensuring vibrant blossoms throughout the growing season.
Why Blue Daze Needs Fertilizer
Blue Daze plants are vigorous growers and consistent bloomers, demanding a steady supply of nutrients. Their active growth quickly depletes soil nutrients, especially in containers or less fertile ground. Adequate fertilization supports overall vitality, promoting strong root development, lush foliage, and continuous flower production. Essential plant nutrients facilitate various physiological processes, from photosynthesis to cellular respiration and flower bud formation. Without these elements, growth slows, and flowering diminishes significantly.
Selecting the Right Fertilizer and Application
Choosing the right fertilizer for Blue Daze involves balanced nutrition, often emphasizing phosphorus for blooming. A balanced formulation, such as a 10-10-10 NPK ratio, provides equal parts nitrogen for foliage, phosphorus for roots and flowers, and potassium for overall plant health. Alternatively, a bloom-boosting formula with a higher middle number, like a 5-10-5 or similar, can further encourage flower production.
Fertilizers are available in both slow-release granular and liquid forms, each offering distinct advantages. Slow-release granular fertilizers provide a steady supply of nutrients over several months, reducing the frequency of application. Liquid feeds, on the other hand, offer immediate nutrient availability, allowing for quick absorption by the plant, though they require more frequent application.
Apply fertilizer during the active growing season, typically from spring through fall, when the plant is actively producing new growth and flowers. For liquid fertilizers, a general guideline is to feed every four to six weeks, diluting the concentrate according to the product’s specific instructions, often to a quarter or half strength for regular feeding. Slow-release granular products typically last for several months, requiring application only once or twice per growing season as directed by the manufacturer.
When applying liquid fertilizer, ensure the soil around the plant’s base is already moist to prevent root burn and facilitate nutrient uptake. Pour the diluted solution directly onto the soil, avoiding direct contact with the foliage and stems to prevent scorching.
For granular fertilizers, broadcast the granules evenly around the plant’s drip line, keeping them away from the main stem. Gently work the granules into the top layer of soil, then water thoroughly to help dissolve the nutrients and move them into the root zone for absorption.
Recognizing and Addressing Fertilizer Problems
Observing your Blue Daze helps identify nutrient imbalances. Over-fertilization often manifests as burnt leaf margins, a general browning of the foliage, or stunted growth despite adequate watering. A white, crusty residue on the soil surface can also indicate an accumulation of excess salts from over-application. If signs of over-fertilization appear, the primary solution is to flush the soil thoroughly with plain water. This process helps leach out the excess mineral salts that are causing damage to the roots. For potted plants, repeatedly water until water drains freely from the bottom, discarding any accumulated water in the saucer.
Conversely, under-fertilization can lead to pale green or yellowing leaves, particularly older ones, indicating a lack of essential nutrients. Sparse or fewer blooms than usual, along with generally slow growth, are also common indicators that the plant is not receiving enough sustenance. If these symptoms are present, gradually increase the frequency or strength of your fertilizer applications.