NPK Primary Plant Nutrients N is for Nitrogen

N-P-K Primary Plant Nutrients

N is for… Nitrogen • (You might want to write smaller) • Ability to “Green Up” plants • Chlorophyll is mostly composed of nitrogen

N is for… Nitrogen • Atmospheric nitrogen is not readily available to plants • Ammonium and Nitrate are!

Ways to apply Nitrogen • Composted Manure

FRESH • • Higher N content Salt build up Weed seeds Presence of E-Coli? COMPOSTED • More organic matter • Heat kills most weed seeds • Some ammonia-N lost • More $

Ways to apply Nitrogen • Blood Meal

Ways to apply Nitrogen • Canola Meal

Ways to apply Nitrogen • Fertilizers

Not enough of the big • Yellowing of older leaves • Slowing or stopping of growth • Dropping of Leaves N?

Too much of the big • Extremely fast growth… • Resulting in: • Long Spindly Weak Shoots • Dark Green Leaves N?

P is for… Phosphorus • Important for healthy roots • Stimulates healthy fruit and flowers

Not enough • Purplish stems • Generally Unhealthy • Lack of blooming with lush green foliage P?

Need more • Try Bone Meal (2 -14 -0) P?

K is for… Potassium • Sometimes known as potash • Important for general health • Key in the formation of chlorophyll & other plant compounds • Known to help with disease resistance

Low on K? • Hard to diagnose symptoms • Generally Sickly

Quiz Time Please turn your notes over and test your knowledge!

What nutrient is this fertilizer lowest in? 1

What would this fertilizer promote? 2

Treble Superphosphate is high in: (0 -45 -0) 3

(True or False) Treble Superphosphate (0 -45 -0) would be best used to “green up” your lawn. 4

(True or False) Ammonium Sulfate (21 -0 -0) is best for bedding plants and fruit growth. 5

The leaves on my house plants are lacking rich green color. What nutrient might I be deficient in? 6

What would the benefits of using a soluble fertilizer be? (20 -20 -20) 7

What would the benefits of using a soluble fertilizer be? (20 -20 -20) 7