|
Page Links
Home
Scoville Hardiness
|
Fertilizers
Those Three Little
Numbers When talking store-bought, commercial Fertilizers there is usually the same question that comes up first.
And that is what are those three numbers always listed on every package? Let me begin by saying that those three numbers
are required to ALWAYS mean the same thing, and to ALWAYS be listed in the same order every time. The First number indicates the percentage of Nitrogen(N). The second number, the percentage of Phosphorus(P). And the third
number, the percentage of Potassium(K) or also called
Potash. For example: a 5-15-10 listed fertilizer is 5 percent Nitrogen, 15 percent Phosphorus, and 10 percent Potassium. These are the three Major Nutrients needed for healthy plant
growth, (they are often called the macronutrients). Plants need these three nutrients in relatively large quantites. And here are there functions:
For More
information about these and the other
Nutrients needed in plant growth, visit
my page on
Plant Nutrients. Types of Fertilizers
After you decide to
feed your plants,you're then faced with
the many,many kinds of fertilizers at
the nursery and garden centers.Below is
a list and short explanation of the
different types of Fertilizers that are
out there to choose from.
COMPLETE Any
fertilizer that contains all three of
the primary nutrients-
Nitrogen,Phosphorus, and
Potash - is a complete fertilizer. The
garden term complete has its
basis in laws and regulations that apply
to the fertilizer industry.It does NOT
however mean that the fertilizer
literally contains everything a plant
may need.
GRANULAR These fertilizers are the most
common kind.They are commonly sold in
boxes or bags, and most are partially
soluble.They will supply nutrients over
a longer period of time than some
fertilizers but still not as long as
slow-release kinds.
This type can also supply special
formulations, such as azalea food or
rose food to target certain types of
plans.
FOLIAR As
the name implies, these fertilizers are
sprayed over a plants leaves. They
contain nutrients that plant leaves can
absorb directly. Nutrients absorbed
through leaves are said to have a quick
effect on certain plants. However, do
NOT apply foliar fertilizers in hot
weather because they could possibly
damage the leaves.
LIQUID Although most
fertilizers are dry, some come in a
liquid form. Some come ready-to-use and
some require mixture with water,
(Miracle-Gro). This type is usually the
best type for instant results. A lot of
professional growers prefer this type
because it can be easily injected into
irrigation systems.On a per-nutrient
basis, liquid fertilizers are more
expensive than most dry fertilizers.
SLOW-RELEASE These
fertilizers release the nutrients at
slow,specific rates in specific
conditions. Some are coated with
"resins" that respond to types of soil
moisture. And some are coated with a
"sulfur" substance that is slowly acted
upon by soil microorganisms until
released. Some can release their
nutrients for as long as eight months.
Slow-release fertilizers are very useful
for container plants that otherwise
would need frequent fertilizing.
ORGANIC
These fertilizers
have nutrients derived from something
that was once alive. Examples of this
type are: Blood Meal, Bone Meal, Fish
Emulsion, and Manure.Nutrients in
organic fertilizers are made available
to the plant roots after breakdowns in
the soil microorganisms. Activity of
these microorganisms is faster in the
summer when the soil is the warmest.
Usually, organic fertilizers contain
significant amounts of only one of the
major nutrients; for example, Bone Meal
contains only Phosphorus.And Blood Meal
contains only Nitrogen.
FERTILIZERS FOR VARIOUS PLANTS
Below are some
personal recommendations for Fertilizers
to use for different kinds of plants.
Remember however, depending on the
specific species there will be many
exceptions to this list.
ANNUAL FLOWERS
BULBS
HANGING
BASKETS HOUSE PLANTS
PERENNIALS
VEGETABLES
ROSES
LAWNS
GOD
BLESS AMERICA www.angelfire.com/pe/kennys/index.html
|
