Fertilizer Basics: What Do Those Numbers Mean?

N P K – the 3 numbers on fertilizers
Nitrogen   -   Phosphorus   -  Potassium

These are the major plant nutrients.

Nitrogen

LEAFY GROWTH, OVERALL HEALTH

• Necessary for all metabolic process and synthesis and transfer of energy
• Plant growth
• Seed and fruit production
• Quality of leaves and forage

Phosphorus

FLOWERING, FRUITING, ROOTING

• Like N, essential to photosynthesis
• Cell development
• Plant growth and maturity
• Flower production
• Root growth

Potassium

FRUITING AND FLOWERING

-Stimulates early growth
-Increases protein production
-Improves the efficiency of water use
-Vital for stand persistence and longevity
-Improves resistance to diseases and insects
-Used by more than 60 plant enzymes in biochemical reactions, e.g., producing sugars, starches
-Strengthens cell walls.

Missing from synthetic N-P-K fertilizers:

17 nutrients (Major, Secondary and Micronutrients) essential for plant growth

A deficiency of any can adverse effect plant growth, maturity, and yield.

Secondary Nutrients include calcium, magnesium, and sulfur

Micronutrients include boron, chloride, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum, zinc, and nickel.

Every element is critical in its own way, and in its own amount.

Seaweed has every mineral, chelated trace elements and also naturally-occurring growth hormones.

Seaweed – Nature’s Powerhouse – Increases:

1. plant health
2. stress tolerance
3. resistance to diseases
4. drought tolerance
5. root growth and strength