I just glanced at the ingredients on my supply of baby formula. Many of the ingredients are indeed plant nutrients and I was particularly impressed by the amount of calcium which is often lacking in commercial fertilizers even though it is very important to plants.

The potential problem is that many of the ingredients are not plant nutrients and many of them I honestly don't have a clue what they are or how plants would respond to them.

I did notice that the ratio of calcium to magnesium is in good balance for plant nutrition on the brand I have (Enfamil with Iron).

I really can't answer your query with any confidence, but I suspect it would be fine if not expensive.

IMHO, you'd be *asking* for mold and bugs...flies, in particular...and they lay eggs, which turn into.....ickk.

EWWW!!! I did NOT think of that! What, may I ask is IMHO?
Would it attract flies even if it were sucked in to the soil, and watered down?

IMHO = In My Humble Opinion

I'd sooner find out about regfrigerating it, what's to be scared of in that, is there something in it that would spoil? I'm not a mother but I'd check w/ pediatrician's office or other friends w/ babies, or even call the formula company; I can't imagine they made it to be thrown out if unfinished.

The heck w/ the plants, seems an AWFUL waste of food.

I'm w/ Nan on this (Hi Nan); could probably attract lots of nasty insects!

Well you see, it is in a powdered state. When you mix it with water, it is similar to milk, but goes bad even quicker. I nursed, and only switched to formula because she is a WICKED biter! (o; I was told by a pediatrician it does go bad rather quickly, so I don't want to inadvertently give her bad milk, you see why I am a bit hesitant to refrigerate it?

Nothing wrong with being cautious...but I'm curious...why don't you just make less?

Oooh...I remember my sister getting bit pretty good once!

I still think you'd be inviting bugs, whether you watered it in well, or not. Since it's essentially a 'milk replacer', it just doesn't seem appropriate for watering plants with.
I know it never once crossed my mind!

I suppose it wouldn't hurt to try it on a plant that you could eaily replace?

(Hi, back, Karen!)

Been many many moons since my boys were small but I remember this one. When they suck on the bottle it still creates a backwash of saliva into the bottle. Its not necessarily bad but the saliva starts breaking it down even while refridgerated. Back in the day I used to feed them right out of the baby food jars. Same principle. Saliva would get transfered from the spoon into the food. Go to get it the next day and what used to be sort of thick was now thin and runny....it was breaking down.

jackie

I would NEVER put something like that in a container plant, but would toss it into the garden or compost pile or on the lawn. The solids wouldn't be able to be broken down in a container.

i use expired baby formula in my garden all the time ive never had an issue with bugs well i guess i should say the formula doesn't seem to attract more bugs than the average garden. and it seems that the stalks of my plants especially my tomato plants seem to be hardier and hold up to the crazy strong winds we get.

From the little that I remember from animal nutrition, I would not be surprised if the formula is about 97% water. You can dilute it further by adding water. Milk is certainly used outdoors in organic gardening. I would try it. Who knows? The plants might like it.

Milk

To clarify, I believe strongly that baby formula or anything else with milk solids should never be used to water/feed houseplants or other plants grown in containers.

In the outdoor garden, the micro and macro fauna will soon take care of the solids, hopefully.

I agree with rhizo. I would use it on outdoor plants. Indoors, I think it would be too likely to attract bugs or cause mold.

I couldn't imagine the smell of it. In my house? Ugh!

Milk is 87% water. Sorry about that.

Ron.

I have been using it, but never inside!