First of a Series
Elements Necessary for Plants
The performance of your
plants is directly related to the degree of the
fertility of your soil. Like humans, plants require
certain elements to grow well and to remain healthy.
Below is a list of
elements essential for plant growth. On the right
are some sources from which plants may receive these
air and Water
Air and Soil
Soil and Fertilizers
Plants also contain
Cobalt (Co), Iodine (I), Selenium (Se) and Sodium (Na),
which are necessary to humans and animals which consume
the plants, but which do not seem to be necessary for
the survival of plants. Aluminum (Al) and Silicon
(Si) are also present in plants, but are not deemed
necessary for humans nor animals for their survival.
Required by Plants and Obtained From Soil and
Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K)
Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg), and Sulfur (S)
Trace Elements: Boron (B), Chlorine (CI),
Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo),
and Zinc (Zn)
These Elements Do for Plants
Nitrogen (N) is
the main nutrient for strong, vigorous growth, good leaf
color, and photosynthesis. Plants that are almost
all leaf (such as lawn grasses) need plenty of nitrogen,
so the first number in fertilizers for lawns is
especially high because grass must continuously renew
itself after mowing. The higher the number, the
more nitrogen the fertilizer provides.
Phosphorous (P) promotes root development
which helps strengthen plants. It also increases
blooms on flowers and the ripening of seeds and fruit.
Lots of phosphorous is great for bulbs, perennials, and
newly planted trees and shrubs. They depend on strong
roots, so fertilizers meant for these plants often have
high middle numbers.
Potassium (K) improves the overall health of
plants. It helps them withstand very hot or cold
weather, defend against diseases, helps fruit formation,
photosynthesis, and the uptake of other nutrients.
Potassium works along with Nitrogen so if you add
nitrogen to the soil, it is important to add potassium
at the same time. Most soils already have some
potassium, so the third number in the fertilizer
analysis is usually smaller than the other two.
Fertilizers for some tropical plants, especially palms,
contain extra potassium because these plants have a
special need for it.
Calcium (Ca) is important for general plant
vigor and promotes good growth of young roots and
shoots. Calcium also helps to build cell walls.
Magnesium (Mg) helps regulate uptake of other
plant foods and aids in seed formation. As it is
contained in Chlorophyll, it is also important in the
dark green color of plants and for the ability of a
plant to manufacture food from sunlight.
Sulfur (S) helps maintain a dark green color
while encouraging more vigorous plant growth.
Sulfur is needed to manufacture Chlorophyll.
Boron (B) helps in
cell development and helps to regulate plant metabolism.
Chlorine (CI) is
involved in photosynthesis.
Copper (Cu) helps
plants to metabolize nitrogen.
Iron (Fe) assists
in the manufacture of chlorophyll and other biochemical
Manganese (Mn) is
needed for chlorophyll production.
helps plants to use nitrogen.
Zinc (Zn) is used
in development of enzymes and hormones. It is used
by the leaves and needed by legumes to form seeds.
Guide to Florida Gardening