The secret to making your flowering trees, shrubs,
annuals, and perennials bloom more is in the numbers. All
fertilizers have analysis numbers on the package. These
numbers represent the percentage of each chemical the product
contains. For example, 12-12-12 is a typical garden garden
fertilizer that would contain 12% nitrogen, 12%phosphorous, and
12% potassium.
The quick explanation is; nitrogen produces vegetative,
or top growth, phosphorous produces flower buds, fruit, and
root development, while potassium builds strong healthy
plants. Most lawn grasses are vigorous growers and therefore
require significantly more nitrogen than the other plants in
your yard. A lawn fertilizer would have an analysis of 26-3-3,
indicating a fertilizer high in nitrogen.
You would not want to use a fertilizer containing such
a high percentage of nitrogen on landscape plants because it
would be very easy to burn them. You must also keep in mind
that many lawn fertilizers contain broad leaf weed killers, and
most ornamental plants have broad leaves. The fertilizer
doesn't know the difference, and it will damage or kill
ornamental trees and shrubs.
During the summer months the growth rate of most plants
slows down, and when plants are not actively growing, they need
very little nitrogen. Although not vigorously putting on new
growth, many plants such as Dogwood Trees, Rhododendrons, and
Azaleas are quitely working to produce flower buds for next
year. Annual and perennial flowers are also busy making new
flower buds.
To encourage flower bud production you can apply a
fertilizer that contains a small percentage of nitrogen, a
higher percentage of phosphorous, and a little potassium. I
recently purchased a liquid fertilizer with an analysis of 5-30-
5, ideal for flower production. Because the product is sold as
a bloom producer, the manufacture also added a little chelated
iron, manganese, and zinc, all good for your plants as well.
Most garden centers and discount stores carry similar products.
I chose a liquid fertilizer because liquid fertilizers
are absorbed both through the roots and systemically through
the foliage, so they work quicker. I used a sprayer that
attaches to the end of the garden hose to apply the fertilizer,
but do not use the same hose end sprayer that you use for lawn
fertilizers. There could be residual weed killer still in the
sprayer.
About those hose end sprayers. I purchased one that is
supposed to automatically mix the proper ratio for you. I used
it to apply a general insecticide, and it worked, but it sure
seemed like I went through a lot more insecticide than I
needed. When I used it for the fertilizer the screen on the
little pick up hose inside the jar kept getting clogged with
the tiny solids in the fertilizer. I recommend using a
solution of one part liquid fertilizer to one part water in the
sprayer jar, and applying at a heavier rate. Watch the liquid
in the sprayer jar, and if it isn't going down remove the lid
and clean the little screen by spraying it with water from the
garden hose.
Read the application instructions on the container to
determine how much fertilizer to apply, and how often. A
fertilizer high in phosphorous will increase flower
production. You will see a difference.
Remember the golden rule of applying fertilizers. "Not
enough, is always better than too much."
......................................................................................................................................................................
About The Author
If you have questions for Mike McGroarty visit his website,
http://www.freeplants.com and post them on the message board
where you can learn lots of gardening tips and communicate with
other gardeners. While at his website you can learn how to
start your own profitable backyard nursery. If you would like
a copy of Mike's booklet, "The Secret of Growing Landscape
Plants from Scratch", send .00 to: Garden Secrets, P.O. Box
338, Perry, Ohio 44081
......................................................................................................................................................................
Back to the Top
|
