Can someone help with the basic essentials of feeding my ikkle darlings.
In my thread about leaves going pink, Tim said it sounded like a mineral shortage and sandersJ69 suggested Ammonia Nitrate as a pick me up.
Now I have array of various feeds sitting on the shelf but must admit the only one I use regularly is tomato feed (on the toms obviously). So can you please point me in the direction I should be heading.
I used fish, blood and bone stuff when I first prepared the beds and have got the following goodies:
Tomorite Liquid Tomato Fertilizer (with seaweed extract) (liquid)
Multi-purpose liquid fertiliser (with all important trace elements)(liquid)
Phostrogen Plant Food (granuals)
not the last two seem to be quite similar but the latter is stronger.
And then there's the special pack of Bio magic organic seaweed folia feed that's advertised in this month's GYO magazine that has magical qualities.
It's like reading double dutch to be honest with you ! worse than counting calories.
What else does everyone do and how do you all understand it ?
HELP !
::)
please !
;D
Hmmmm, very hard as we all have different soil etc....but as a genral rule:
There are three main constituents you need to worry about:
Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K).
You will see on the back of fertilizer packets the N:P:K ratio. Such as on Growmore which is 7:7:7.
See here for more details:
http://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profiles0306/fertiliserlabel.asp
A equally balanced feed is ideal for a general feed but some plants need more of one and less of another ingredient.
Nitrogen
Promotes vigorous lush green growth ideal for plants such as brassicas, lettuce and leafy crops but is also needed for general plant growth. Too much will promote weak sappy growth and in extremes can scorch the plant. Also too much for fruiting plants will reduce the crop.
Nitrogen deficiency is often displayed as poor leaf colour.
Phosphorus
This element is needed during periods of rapid growth, a lack can be shown up as pale growing points on the plant. It is also a vital ingredient for good root growth
Potassium
Potassium is important to the plant as it is a key element to help the plant photosynthesise. It is also important for flowering plants and you will find it in a high ratio in tomato feeds.
Deficiency's often shown up through bluey tinged foliage and poor growth rate.
So you can tailor feeding to the crop to get the very best.
But you may not need too, I tend to use a mix of general fertilizer such as a general growmore, some high N blasts such as pelleted chicken manure or Sulphate of Ammonia/Ammonia Sulphate, some slow release feed in the form of Fish blood and Bone and finally dedicated tomato feed. This is also coupled with lots of well rotted manure and compost to boost the natural balance of the soil and it's structure.
The approx NPK's are:
Growmore
7:7:7
Chicken Manure
4:2.5:2.5
Sulphate of Ammonia
20:0:0
Fish blood and Bone
6:6:6
Tomato Feed
4:4.5:8
Obviously on top of this there are other trace elements such as calcium, boron, manganese, etc. that are all needed for general health. The riskiest one in my list to use is the neat Sulphate of Ammonia, it can do more harm than good if not careful.
Also different soil types have different needs so that needs to be taken into account as well.
Hope that helps a little.
Jerry
Just to add to Jerry's well put information have a look here;
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Misc.Data/Fertilisers.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Misc.Data/Fertilisers.htm)
http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Misc.Data/Plant%20feeding.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Misc.Data/Plant%20feeding.htm)
the fact i can't even read the bl00dy label with my glasses on doesn't help !!
it's a bit more complicated that just bunging it in eh ?
right off to have a read !!
Thanks mate and you Tee Gee, still lots to learn and understand and not get bamboozled by pretty packaging.
;D
Edit: I'm right with them on this bit : "Selecting the right one might prove to be a bit daunting to some people, but do not despair!"
;D
Tee Gee - really useful site and now bookmarked !
Thanks.
It would appear that I'm not the only one to be confused judging by the opening lines on most of the explanations !
;D