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Nutrients in plant growth
The Role of Nutrients in Plant Growth Fuchsias like a slightly acidic or balanced potting mix or soil with a PH level of 6.5 to 7.00. The PH level is used to ascertain whether the soil is acidic or alkaline. The higher the PH level the more alkaline the soil. Soil which is either too acidic or too alkaline can inhibit the plant’s growth. A balanced PH allows the plants to access all of the nutrients and trace elements it needs to grow well. PH kits can be bought from your local hardware or nursery garden centre The major or base elements in plant growth are Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potassium. Each has a different role to play in plant growth NITROGEN: is probably the most essential nutrient for plant growth. It is needed throughout the entire growth cycle of the plant. It ensures healthy leaf and stem growth. If you have observed how well grass grows and greens up after rain it is because the rain contains nitrogen. A very weak application of a high nitrogen fertilizer can be very useful after pruning when the new leaves appear to encourage new leafand stem growth. However, too much nitrogen can inhibit growth and make leaves soft and too full of water so don’t be heavy handed or apply the fertilizer too often. Nitrogen rich fertilizers can be used after cuttings are rooted and have been hardened off. The application of a weak nitrogen foliar fertilizer solution to the rooted cuttings will assist them to make rapid growth of leaves and stems although too much will make them sappy. When potting on the rooted cuttings you can add just a sprinkle of a slow release high nitrogen fertilizer to the top of the mix to assist leaf and stem growth. Nitrogen is needed during summer as the plants are growing rapidly and therefore drawing more nitrogen to make leaves and stems from which the flowers will come. Too little nitrogen in the potting mix or soil can result in poor or intermittent flowering. PHOSPHOROUS: is an essential nutrient to assist plant growth and metabolism of nutrients. It is particularly useful in the growth of roots and in strengthening leaves and stems and in the development of buds & flowers. Alternating a weak solution of high phosphorous fertilizer with a high nitrogen fertilizer each fortnight during Spring growth will help the plants make strong leaves and stems as well as strong roots. Phosphorous is not easily leached from the soil so do not be heavy handed in its use. POTASSIUM is a very important element. It assists plants to create chlorophyll (This traps light from the sun to make energy) seen in green leaves and stems which go yellow if deprived of sunlight and photosynthesis (the essential process by which the plant makes food from water and carbon dioxide using the chlorophyll. It also has a role in regulating too high levels of nitrogen which could damage the plant. Its better known role is in helping flowers develop deeper colours. It is also said to assist with inducing flowering but this is not proven. High potassium fertilizers can be given to plants before and during flowering but too much can induce magnesium deficiency and reduce the amount of nitrogen available to the plant. High potassium fertilizers also help plants develop woody growth before winter. The lesson to be learned from applying both foliar and slow release fertilizers especially to pots and young plants is that while the elements are essential TOO MUCH WILL CAUSE HARM. Fuchsias need not be fed during winter .So the rule of thumb is to mostly use a well balanced fertilizer throughout the growing season and especially when the plants are small and give your plants a boost with a high nitrogen, or high phosphorous or high potassium fertilizer for specific purposes. And above all DO NOT put all three on together and DO NOT fertilize a sick plant. A little bit often is better for the plant as it allows it to make use of the nutrients at its own pace |