Alternative plant food - might be a bit icky.

[Magratish]

Right: I've namechanged for this in case anyone knows me on here... I've posted before, though: I promise I'm not a troll.

I have this avocado plant which I have grown from seed: I've been raising it for ages, and it's doing very well, except that it seems to have developed an iron deficiency (pale, floppy leaves are a symptom of this, according to Dr Google).

Now for the icky bit: I don't have any iron-based fertiliser, but I do have a Mooncup. I think we can see the connection I'm making here: WIBtotallyU to feed my plant with the - ahem - contents of said Mooncup, or will I forever be branded rank and disgusting, and generally excluded from all social contact? Would it even work? Please, AIBU, save me if you think I'm about to make a horrible mistake...

[ThisWayForCrazy]

Go buy some plant food with iron in it? What's wrong with people's minds?!? Bleugh!

[GrendelsMum]

Are you sure its an iron deficiency rather than a magnesium deficiency?

I'd go for a balanced feed in order to cover all bases.

[GobblersKnob]

When I used washable sanitary towels full time (I now mostly use a cup) I used to use the water they soaked in to water my plants and very well they did on it too

I would dilute it with water, I wouldn't just tip the contents of the cup into the pot as some residue might sit on the surface of the soil and it may smell or go mouldy.

Otherwise go for it, and quickly before loads of mnetters pile in and tell you how foul you are, because they are a'coming

[GobblersKnob]

Oh and the other thing that is really good as plant food, is when you have a milk carton to throw away, quarter fill it with water, (before rinsing) and use the milky water.

[Magratish]

I didn't realise about the magnesium, GrendelsMum: thanks for the tip!
GobblersKnob: I'm glad it's not just me who has thought of this! It's not that I'm against buying the "proper" plant food, it's just that this is freely available, and it's not as if I'm going to do anything else with it... I might give it a try: will be very careful to dilute, though! I certainly don't want mysterious smells.

[squeakytoy]

would it not attract flies???

[GrendelsMum]

I have to admit that I have thought about this, but I make a comfrey feed instead.

[Magratish]

Ok - decision made. The organic fertiliser is going on: if the house gets overrun with plagues of flies, I'll issue a warning!