HOW TO READ A FERTILIZER BAG LABEL
The nutrients that plants need in quantity are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Each of these contributes differently to plant growth. Nitrogen encourages healthy green foliage and improves photosynthesis. Phosphorus helps develop strong roots, flowers, fruits, and speeds maturity. Potassium contributes to strong stems and roots and resistance to disease. The fertilizer bag will show numbers in large print like 5-10-10. This means the fertilizer contains 5% nitrogen,
10% phosphorus and 10% potassium plus fillers. As a rule of thumb, the larger the first number the less fertilizer is needed, i.e., use half as much 10-10-10 as 5-10-10.
Nitrogen is needed if your plant leaves are yellowish and small. If the leaves turn dark green with red and purple areas, phosphorus is deficient. If leaves turn brown at the tips and edges or die, potassium is required. These symptoms seem to hold for most plants. |
