WHAT NUTRIENTS DO FOR YOUR TREES

THE BASICS

Plants can not live on water alone! Just like humans, they require specific nutrients in order to live and thrive. Some are found naturally in the soil, others must be added. These nutrients are broken into three categories:

Major - These are the biggies! Your trees and plants can not exist without them. Typically referred to as N-P-K, which are the chemical symbols for nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. Most commercial fertilizers print the percentage ratios of these three major nutrients in BIG letters on their packaging.
Ever wondered what those numbers meant? Now you know!

Minor - These are essential to plant health and poor or slow growth may indicate a deficiency in one or more of these nutrients. You may need a soil analysis to determine the missing ingredient.

Trace Elements - These are needed in very small amounts and can usually be supplied by your soil.

THE MAJORS

NITROGEN - The most essential element, nitrogen promotes rapid growth and gives plants a healthy green color. Also improves the quality of leaf crops and assists in stress tolerance.
Symptoms of Deficiency: stunted growth, yellowing, “firing” of tips and margins of leaves (starting at bottom of plant).

PHOSPHOROUS - Stimulates early growth and root formation, hastens plant maturity, promotes seed production and flowering, and supports general plant hardiness.
Symptoms of Deficiency: small growth (especially roots), spindly stalks, lack of fruit or seed development, purple discoloration and tips of older leaves dead.

POTASSIUM - Enhances plant’s ability to resist disease, cold, and other stressful conditions. Improves stem or stalk stiffness and aids in protein formation and fruit quality.
Symptoms of Deficiency: slow growth, shriveled seeds or fruit, weak stem or stalk, margins of leaves develop a “scorched” effect.

THE MINORS

MAGNESIUM - core of every chlorophyll molecule in the cells of green plants.

CALCIUM - fundamental part in cell manufacture and growth.

SULFUR - stimulates plant vigor and helps maintain dark green color.

IRON - essential to chlorophyll formation (keeps plants green).

MANGANESE - functions as catalyst in plant growth process.

ZINC - links with iron & manganese in chlorophyll production.