A Complete Guide to OUR Plant Feeding PROTOCOL

The Fertiliser System We Trust and Use Ourselves

At Aquatic Plants SA we grow thousands of plants every year — aquarium plants, terrarium plants, carnivorous plants, succulents, aroids, and many unusual collector species.

After years of growing, experimenting, and sometimes learning the hard way, we settled on a simple but extremely effective feeding system that we now make available to our customers.

This system combines:

• Controlled-release fertilisers (long-term feeding)• Liquid fertilisers (fast nutrient availability)• Organic feeding options• Plant health boosters and soil conditioners

The goal is simple: Healthy plants with predictable growth and strong structure.

Below is a breakdown of the feeding products we use and sell.

1. Botaniqra Controlled-Release Fertilisers

Controlled-release fertilisers are the foundation of reliable plant feeding.

Each granule slowly releases nutrients over many months, which means:

✔ Stable plant growth✔ No nutrient spikes✔ Less risk of fertiliser burn✔ Much less work for growers

This type of fertiliser is ideal for:

• houseplants• terrarium plants• succulents• nursery production• long-term container plants BUT NEVER for carnivorous plants!!!

Botaniqra Controlled-Release Range

Botaniqra Branding	NPK / Notes	Release Period	Comments
Botaniqra RootForce (Plant Starter)	9-20-8	8–10 months	Used for root development / seedling & propagation stage
Botaniqra VegForce (Leaf Boost)	19-9-8	8–10 months	Leaf / vegetative growth stage
Botaniqra Equilibrium (MidPhase Pro)	14-12-9	8–10 months	Mid-phase growth, balanced NPK
Botaniqra Maintenance (Set-and-Forget)	15-9-9	12–14 months	Longer-term maintenance feeding
Botaniqra CellBuild (Calcium & Magnesium Boost)	Calcium & Magnesium formulation	3–4 months	Boosts Ca & Mg for plant structure and health

When to use controlled-release fertiliser

These are ideal when you want:

• steady plant growth• minimal maintenance• long-term feeding• reliable nutrient supply

Most professional growers rely heavily on controlled-release fertilisers because they remove the guesswork.

2. Botaniqra Liquid Fertilisers

Fast Nutrient Delivery

Liquid fertilisers provide nutrients that plants can absorb almost immediately.

They are useful when:

• plants need a quick boost• correcting deficiencies• stimulating growth phases• supporting flowering

Botaniqra Liquid Range

Product Name	Comments
Botaniqra Bloom Nutrient	For flowering / bloom stage
Botaniqra Vegetative Nutrient	Strong vegetative / structural growth stage

We use these Liquid fertilisers together with controlled-release fertilisers to fine-tune plant growth, especialy in Spring and Summer.

Think of it this way:

Controlled release = long-term base feedingLiquid fertiliser = precision tuning

3. Organic Feeding Option

Nitrosol Organic Plant Food

We use Nitrosol in spring & summer months to wake plants up or boost them before growth spurts.

Nitrosol, is well-known and respected organic liquid plant food.

Product Name	Type	Comments
Nitrosol	Organic liquid plant food	Organic option for general feeding

Nitrosol works well for:

• houseplants • vegetable gardens • general plant care • organic-leaning growing systems

AND

Carnivorous plants like Nepenthes and Sarracenias during spring and summer and stop autumn – never winter months. (make sure you dilute it atleast 50%)

Organic fertilisers typically release nutrients more slowly and less predictably, but many plants appreciate the natural soil benefits that Nitrosol provide.

4. Plant Health Booster & Soil Conditioner

Novion

Novion is a multi-purpose plant support product used both as a foliar spray and soil conditioner.

Product Name	Type	Comments
Novion	Foliar spray & soil conditioner	Supports photosynthesis, growth stimulation, disease resistance, and soil health

Novion can be used as:

Foliar Spray

This is the best way to get large and extremely healthy new leaves. Novion is Suitable for carnivorous plants and other sensitive plants to support leaf health and plant vitality.

NOTE for carnivorous and other sensitive plants – Dilute Novion the 1^st 4 applications by at least 50%

Soil Conditioner

Used on general plants to:

• improve soil structure

• increase water retention

• stimulate beneficial microbial activity

⚠️ Note: Never use Novion in Drosera or Venus Fly Trap soil / substrates

ONLY a fine most on leaves.

Our Feeding Philosophy

After growing plants professionally for years we learned a key lesson:

No single fertiliser does everything perfectly.

The most reliable system is a combination approach:

1️⃣ Controlled-release fertiliser for consistent feeding

2️⃣ Liquid fertiliser for targeted growth support

3️⃣ Organic feeding options where desired

4️⃣ Plant conditioners to improve plant resilience

This combination provides:

✔ balanced nutrition

✔ strong plant structure

✔ faster growth when needed

✔ healthier root systems

AND

MOST IMPORTANTLY - HAPPY CUSTOMERS

Final Thoughts

Healthy plants start with good light, correct watering, and the right substrate.

But proper feeding is what turns a struggling plant into a strong, thriving specimen.

The fertiliser system we offer on our website is the same system we rely on ourselves when growing thousands of plants.

If you're serious about growing stronger plants, start with the right nutrition.

✔ Explore the full fertiliser range here:https://www.aquaticplants.co.za/growth-protection