Scientific Fertilization Techniques for Flowers and Supplementary Fertilization Methods for Edible Fungi

Fertilization is an important technical measure in flower production. In order to obtain high-quality flower products with brilliant blooms and beautiful foliage in a timely manner, fertilization should be carried out scientifically and the fertilizer use efficiency should be improved by comprehensively considering factors such as the fertilizer requirements of the flowers, different growth stages, root depth, soil, climate, and market demand characteristics.

I. Fertilize by stages according to the different growth stages of flowers

1. Fertilize according to the principle of physiological balance. Different flower species have different biological characteristics and fertilizer requirements, so their fertilization requirements also differ. For flowers grown mainly for fruit display (such as kumquat, grape, etc.), in addition to requiring large amounts of nitrogen fertilizer, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should also account for an important proportion. For foliage-oriented flowers, on the basis of applying sufficient nitrogen fertilizer, potassium fertilizer should be applied in combination. For flower-oriented flowers, nitrogen fertilizer should be emphasized, with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers applied in combination, and attention should be paid to the application of trace elements and rare earth fertilizers. During fertilization, the balanced combination of various elements must be emphasized so as to fully bring out the maximum yield-increasing benefit of fertilizers.

2. Fertilize according to the different growth and development stages of flowers. The same flower species has very different requirements for nutrient elements at different growth stages, so fertilization needs to be carried out by stages. For example, for perennial flowers, when the seedlings are in the rapid growth stage, this is exactly the period of root mass growth, branch and leaf development, and height growth, when nutrient consumption is especially high, so special attention should be paid to fertilization. Among these, nitrogen fertilizer accounts for the largest proportion, combined with phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. If various nutrient elements can be fully supplied during this period, the flowers will have luxuriant branches and leaves, laying a nutritional foundation for flowering.

3. Fertilize according to different growing seasons. For the same flower species, in addition to having different requirements for fertilizer supply at different growth stages, there are also different requirements in different growing seasons throughout the year. Within a year, base fertilizer should be applied before the root system resumes growth in early spring and before leaf fall and dormancy in autumn, with appropriate application of phosphorus fertilizer. Nitrogen fertilizer is extremely beneficial to root growth. During the period when flowers sprout and send out branches and leaves in spring, they need to absorb more nitrogen fertilizer to ensure vigorous vegetative growth. However, attention should be paid not to apply it too early. If applied too early, the root system has not yet fully resumed normal growth, its absorption capacity is poor, and fertilizer nutrients are easily lost. At this time, the root system is young and tender, and if the soil solution concentration is too high, it is easy to cause root scorching. After entering June, many woody flowers begin flower bud differentiation, and at this time nitrogen fertilizer should be controlled to ensure the supply of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers.

II. Fertilize according to the growth habits and ornamental characteristics of flowers

For foliage-oriented flowers, forest tree species, and shade tree species, under the premise that the plants do not grow excessively and their cold resistance is not affected, nitrogen fertilizer may be appropriately applied more during the growing season to promote luxuriant branches and leaves and a deep green, glossy leaf color, thereby improving their ornamental value. For species that bloom in early spring, sufficient base fertilizer supply in winter should be ensured so that their flowers are large and numerous. For flower species that bloom multiple times a year, in addition to applying base fertilizer during the dormant period, nutrients consumed by shoot growth and flowering should be replenished in a timely manner after each flowering to ensure the normal opening of the next round of flowers.

III. Fertilize according to fertilizer characteristics

Some fertilizers have special effects and should be treated and applied separately. For example, boron fertilizer can promote root growth, improve flowering and fruiting capacity, and enhance cold resistance; quicklime can reduce soil acidity and improve soil structure. In the red-yellow soil acidic soil areas of southern China, it is an important fertilizer, and it can also make clay soil loose; potassium fertilizer can promote photosynthesis and can compensate for the adverse consequences brought by insufficient light and low temperatures in winter greenhouses.