Staff \u2014 June 16, 2015<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.amerinursery.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/essential-nutrients-300x195.jpg\")
\nThe plants you cultivate need more than sun and water to thrive. In addition to tender loving care, they need macro- and micronutrients provided in the proper balance. These nutrients occur naturally in soil, but in varying amounts and, in some cases, in varying quality. The appropriate, supplemental application of essential nutrients depends upon what\u2019s present in the soil \u2013 and what a particular plant requires.<\/p>\n
There generally are two types of nutrients: macro- and micronutrients. Put simply, those considered macronutrients are the elements that plants require in greater quantities than the micronutrients, which, as logic would have it, are those that are required in lesser amounts.<\/p>\n
It all seems obvious, but this is why soil testing is critical to determining what\u2019s sufficient, what\u2019s lacking and what needs to be added.
\nListed here are the nutrients, along with their basic characteristics or qualities, and general signs of deficiency. This is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis of the nutrients or their effects, but a simple guide to give plant professionals a starting point for further investigation. Soil tests conducted by reliable and reputable labs should be completed prior to application of supplemental nutrients; diagnosis of deficiencies should be confirmed as well. Overapplication of supplemental nutrients can be just as detrimental to plants as deficiency.<\/p>\n
Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) are considered the \u201cprimary\u201d nutrients. \u201cSecondary\u201d macronutrients are calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulfur (S). Macronutrients are necessary for healthy growth and sustained vigor, but they must be balanced correctly.<\/p>\n
We don\u2019t often think of oxygen and moisture as \u201cnutrients.\u201d Without them, of course, plants wouldn\u2019t survive. Structural, or nonmineral, nutrients \u2013 carbon (C), hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) \u2013 are obtained from air and water. Each is necessary for the plant to convert into carbohydrates (sugars and starches), which help to build strength in cell walls and to support stems and leaves. Think of these as the most basic plant food.<\/p>\n
Considered \u201cminor\u201d or trace elements, micronutrients include boron (B), chloride (Cl), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn). Many support the functions of macronutrients<\/p>\n
This is not intended to be a comprehensive analysis of the nutrients or their effects, but a simple guide to give plant professionals a starting point for further investigation. Soil tests conducted by reliable and reputable labs should be completed prior to application of supplemental nutrients; diagnosis of deficiencies should be confirmed as well. Overapplication of supplemental nutrients can be just as detrimental to plants as deficiency.<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Signs of deficiency:<\/p>\n
Staff \u2014 June 16, 2015 The plants you cultivate need more than sun and water to thrive. In addition to tender loving care, they need macro- and micronutrients provided in the proper balance. These nutrients occur naturally in soil, but in varying amounts and, in some cases, in varying quality. The appropriate, supplemental application of […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[30,31],"class_list":["post-257","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-nursery","tag-growing","tag-regulations"],"yoast_head":"\n