Fertilizer #'s
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Posted: Feb/10/2006 12:41 AM PST
Just what do they mean? Such as 16-30-16? And what does each one do? |
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Posted: Feb/10/2006 12:55 AM PST
 I jus looked this up las night. Nitrogen-Calcium and Phospherous![COLOR=red] OOP"S my bad!! I was runnin' on empty when I did my search. It didn't seem quite right. I thought Calcium was one of the top ones. :o I guess it's phospherous?[/COLOR] |
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Posted: Feb/10/2006 1:19 AM PST
I found this info that may help you in knowing which each part of NPK does, Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus. GENERAL DESCRIPTION Fertilizer is a material that is added to the soil to supply one or more elements required for plant growth and productiveness. The major three elements are nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus), the secondary elements are calcium, sulfur, magnesium, and other elements are boron, manganese, iron, zinc, copper and molybdenum. Fertilizers enhance the natural fertility of the soil or replace the chemical elements taken from the soil by harvesting, grazing, leaching or erosion. Organic fertilizers include poperly managed barnyard manure, compost and green manure. Manure contains nitrogen and phosphate content. It is sometimes modified with superphosphate to make it a better balanced fertilizer. Compost, decayed to a relatively stable, amorphous state, is made from plant materials mixed with manure and some soil. Green manure is a herbaceous plant material plowed into the soil that has not undergone decay. Artificial fertilizers are inorganic fertilizers formulated in appropriate concentrations and combinations supply three main nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (N, P and K) for various crops and growing conditions. N (nitrogen) promotes leaf growth and forms proteins and chlorophyll. P (phosphorus) contributes to root, flower and fruit development. K (potassium) contributes to stem and root growth and the synthesis of proteins. The common inorganic fertilizers include ammonia (82% nitrogen), NPK combinations, urea (46% nitrogen), superphosphate, mono and dibasic ammonium phosphates (containing nitrogen and phosphate), calcium ammonium nitrate, potassium chloride (muriate of potash |
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Posted: Feb/10/2006 1:23 AM PST
In the greenhouse where I work we use a high middle number to promote bloom and not so much excess leaf growth. Amazing the difference that a fertilizer can make on bloom. |
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Posted: Feb/10/2006 1:46 AM PST
I do know that too much nitrogen gives ye beautiful leaves and lot's of them with little or no Maters. :dancing t
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Posted: Feb/10/2006 11:18 AM PST
Ron's info is good and the short manure primer above helps too. Nitrogen is primarily involved in foliage growth and development. As Jade indicates Phosporpus is important in bloom production. Potassium (K) is impotant in the development of roots and other metabolic activities. Trace elements may or may not be present depending upon the type or brand. As Jade points out a formula that has a middle number near double the other two is considered a "bloom booster". Not neccesisarily a good starter fertilizer, but one that is used once the plants are well along. The 16-30-16 sound like a growers formula for a soluable fertilizer that is applied via the water system..... probably in a continous feed regimen. Peters would be one brand of this type of fertilizer.... there are others. I believe miracle grow has one also. ( Since both brands belong to Scotts is that any surprise?) |
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Posted: Feb/10/2006 3:15 PM PST
Thank you all, SO much! Wes, Do you mind if I pick yer brain a little? What ratio would you recomend for getting things started? Before the 16-30-16 is used? (A little background on me).... This is my third year of the nursery bus. I am learning as I go. I've used miracle grow in the past, but there's gotta be something better out there. Ther miracle grow tends to leave a milky residue on the plants and containers 
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Posted: Feb/10/2006 3:45 PM PST
Deb, I use Gro Power 5-3-1 its an allpurpose fertilizer blended for acid loving plants, roses, flowering plant, citrus and vegetables. The contents are Nitrogen, phosphoric acid, soluble potash, iron, manganese and zinc, also contains nonplant food ingredient humic acids (derived from compost). I've read this stuff off the label. This is what it also says: the fertilizer in this bag is one of the best fertilizers available, it is a humus base mineral fertilizer and soil conditioner. Use gro power to promote "Nature's Organic Way" and to aid in creating a soil which, with the addition of potach tends to lessen many of the diseases of plants. I have been using this for years and the results are fabulous! |
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Posted: Feb/10/2006 4:15 PM PST
Im glad someone mentioned this, I was reading last night about fertalizer and compost and got myself confused, this is pretty easy to do ....... I was wondering what is best - if you use a compost do you need to use a fertalizer? May sound silly, but im knew at all of this and I really wanna make nice gardens for both my flower beds and my veggies..
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Posted: Feb/10/2006 4:29 PM PST
Quote: Originally posted by faithsplace Im glad someone mentioned this, I was reading last night about fertalizer and compost and got myself confused, this is pretty easy to do ....... I was wondering what is best - if you use a compost do you need to use a fertalizer? May sound silly, but im knew at all of this and I really wanna make nice gardens for both my flower beds and my veggies..Not silly at all! It's easy for me to get confused too! hehehe And that is a very good question about the compost! All of my potted perennials and alot of my annuals and veggie plants , I use a potting mix (my own concocktion) that is based on compost (I get it free!) 
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