Fertilizer Knowledge Primer: Understanding Fertilizers in One Article

The roots and stems of plants can both absorb nutrients, and fertilizer is one of the elements that supply nutrients to plants. There are an enormous number of fertilizer types and brands on the market; based on fertilizer composition, we can divide them into two major categories: organic fertilizers and chemical fertilizers. Whether organic fertilizer or chemical fertilizer, we need its three major important elements: nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (referred to as the three essential elements), and trace elements: calcium, magnesium, sulfur, zinc, iron, copper, manganese, boron, molybdenum, chlorine, etc. The three essential elements of fertilizer are like the vitamins we humans need; the amounts required are extremely small. The three essential elements or trace elements needed by plants, just like the nutrients needed by the human body, must be kept balanced, neither in excess nor deficient, so that orchid plants can grow quickly and robustly. The functions of the three essential elements: Nitrogen (N) -- leaves Nitrogen can promote vigorous growth of plant branches and leaves, turning leaf color a tender green. With too much nitrogen, although stems and leaves grow quickly, they become leggy and weak and do not bloom. Conversely, with nitrogen deficiency, old leaves turn yellow and drop, and growth stagnates. Usually seedlings need more nitrogen fertilizer. Phosphorus (P) -- roots, flowers Phosphorus can promote plant root development and nutrient absorption, and at the late growth stage can promote flowering and fruiting. Conversely, without enough phosphorus, it is not easy for the plant to bloom. Therefore, when approachingfloweringmature plants must be supplied with more phosphorus fertilizer when approachingfloweringmature plants must be supplied with more phosphorus fertilizer. Potassium (K) -- stems Potassium can promote robust growth of plant roots, stems, and branches, enhance leaf clusters, and improve flower color, and resistpests and diseases. With potassium deficiency, orchid plants are not easy to keep upright and strong, and flower color is not vivid. Generally, plants above the medium seedling stage need more potassium fertilizer. Xue Congxian