Plant Nutrition: What Plants Really Want in Plant Doctor

Real World Gardener-Horticulture, Gardening, Learning to Grow

PLANT NUTRITION UNPACKED Major Nutrients

Have you ever asked yourself "how do plants take up nutrients when you spread fertiliser around them on the ground or dilute it into liquid ?"

It's something that we gardeners do quite a lot of, spreading fertiliser around that is, and probably don't give it a second thought until plants don't respond to all this nutrient load.

• What went wrong?

Firstly, the nutrients that you spread around are not directly taken up by the plants. Nutrients have to be what's called 'made available' to the plants and to do this, the soil biota or the microorganisms have to do some work. Water, soil and microbes are the three things that the plants need before plants can take these nutrients.

• So What Are These Nutrients?

Macro Nutrients: these are the highest rated nutrients that plants can’t do without.

• Nitrogen:Phosphorus:Potassium or NPK: A selection of fertilisers
• Kylie's main mantra is NPK refers to shoots:roots;fruit

The N component relates as Nitrogen, giving your plant nice healthy green leaves. The P component: encourages healthy root systems. The K or potassium component helps the fruits and flowers Sure we can add compost, aged manures and liquid seaweed, but unless you’re sure of what’s in them nutrient wise, you may be under fertilising your plants.
Without the major nutrients, your plants may not grow and develop roots, stems leaves and flowers properly.
If you know what and how much to give your plants, the plants will be healthier and more productive.
Just remember to read the NPK amounts on the bag or packet of fertiliser.
Let’s find out more about what plants really need.
I'm talking with Kylie Last, horticulturist and TAFE teacher.
PLAY: Major Nutrients_21stJuly 2021
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