Plants are amazing living things, as they are able to synthesise their food with only water and sunlight. The truth is that many variables are involved in this complex process, including the substrate from which they extract micronutrients. These micronutrients are found naturally in the soil, but in the case of potted plants, they are often depleted and need to be replenished. This is why it is important to use fertilisers and composts. But which one to buy? are they the same? is there a difference between fertiliser and compost?

is there really a difference between fertiliser and compost?

There is a widespread myth that manure feeds the substrate and fertiliser takes care of the plant, which is completely false since both, depending on their composition, can fulfil these tasks. Another false belief is related to the frequency of use, and it is wrongly stated that manures are used only a couple of times a year, while fertilisers can be used continuously all year round. The truth is that both manures and fertilisers can have different frequencies of use, depending on their composition.

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It is a bit complicated to answer the question whether there is a difference between compost and fertiliser, because basically compost and fertiliser are the same thing although there are differences between the two. It sounds contradictory, but compost and fertiliser are the same in function, in that they are both compounds that aim to make the soil more fertile, so that the plant can grow in optimal conditions. So if you are one of those who use the terms casually to refer to the act of nourishing the plant, you are correct.

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The main difference between compost and fertiliser is in the composition. Basically, manures are substances of organic origin, whereas fertilisers are chemical substances. There is the possibility that a compost can have more or less the same effect and properties as fertilisers, because they can provide the same nutrients even if they come from different sources. There are differences in the way they are applied and the frequency of application, given their organic or manufactured nature; in fact there are also different types of manures and fertilisers.

Fertilisers

Fertiliser is any substance with an organic or natural active ingredient. It can be plant or animal and is usually applied directly to the substrate, buried near the roots or placed around the plant. Fertilisers can be in liquid or solid form. Fertiliser can be completely natural, but you can also buy it already processed and packaged. The advantage of this is that you can be sure of its composition and frequency of use,

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Fertilisers can be classified according to homogeneity, while their richness is expressed by 3 numbers indicating the percentage of the main macronutrients (nitrate N, phosphorus P and potassium K). On the label you can also find secondary macronutrients such as calcium, magnesium and sulphur. Another way to classify fertilisers is according to their composition.

Types of fertilisers

• Manure

Manure comes from the excrement of herbivorous animals, which is left to dry and mixed with other components and then applied directly to the substrate. Don't think that you should apply fresh manure on the substrate, this would be a bit... smelly and even risky, because it takes longer to decompose and may contain weed seeds and weeds, as well as transmitting diseases to the plants. It is better to use that which has been dried and processed.

Manure is rich in nutrients for your plant. The nutrients it will provide will depend on the type of animal and its diet. Chicken manure has phosphorus (4%) and calcium (9%). Sheep manure has 8% calcium. It is often mixed with straw and hairs to improve the hydrogen content.

Horse manure provides nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium but less than 3%. It is recommended for use on very dry soils, because it makes them fluffier and more aerated, and if you supplement it with earthworm hummus, you will have the perfect fertiliser. Cow dung has a low level of nutrients, but is still used especially in cold climates as a mulch for plants. It offers 0.6% nitrogen, 0.4% potassium and approximately 0.3 phosphorus.

• Green manures

are fast-growing crops that are cut and composted. They are buried directly in the soil and provide a lot of nitrogen to the soil, protect it from erosion and limit weed growth; they also stimulate plant growth by improving the chemical structure of the soil. Different types of plants are used, from legumes such as trifolium repens, white clover, melilotus officinalis or sweet clover, among others. Leguminous plants fix nitrogen in the substrate. Grasses such as Avena sativa are also used , which form a more stable and balanced humus, whilecruciferous such as Brassica Napus or Canola grow very fast and allow green manure to be made in no time at all.

Making green manure is very simple. Just plant the seeds of the chosen plants in the soil of your choice, water them and let them grow. When they are big and about to flower, pull them up and bury them in the soil where they were planted. You can then plant whatever you wish.

• Guano

Believe it or not, this compost comes from the excrement of seabirds, seals and bats. Guano is a fantastic organic fertiliser, as it is very rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, making it one of the most complete fertilisers you can get. But don't think that just any bird droppings will do, as this blessed balance of micronutrients is made possible by the diet of these animals that live near the sea and feed on fish and shellfish.

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Guano is not an easily available material. It is usually extracted from remote places such as the Peruvian coasts, which are inhabited by birds such as guanay, boobies and pelicans that find food easily in these lands and nest in the vicinity. This, together with the intense sunlight, allows the guano to accumulate and be collected. For this reason, guano can be a somewhat expensive fertiliser. After collection, it is processed and packaged. It is available as liquid, powder and granules.

• Worm humus

Worm humus is a nutrient-rich organic fertiliser. It comes from the excrements of earthworms, which have already processed the organic matter in the soil, decomposing it. They also dilute the minerals and convert them into a product that plants can easily assimilate. So, not only is it a wonderful source of assimilable nitrogen, but it has phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and potassium.

Worm humus is one of the most widely used fertilisers because it facilitates the proper development of the plant, as its nutrients are very easy to absorb. For this reason it is the preferred option when transplanting, as it prevents diseases and stimulates rooting at this delicate moment. As if that were not enough, it protects the plant from pathogens, boosts the biological activity of the soil, is non-toxic and does not alter the biological balance of the soil.

Fertiliser

Fertilisers are products that nourish the substrate to promote the proper development of the plant. The main characteristic of fertilisers, and what differentiates them from manures, is that fertilisers are artificial. Fertiliser is manufactured and must be dissolved in water in order to release the nutrients that will be absorbed by the plants. Fertilisers can be liquid, solid or time-release.

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Fertiliser Types

Fertiliser types are classified according to the type of plant on which they will be used, as the precise proportion of nutrients is calculated for each species or type of plant. The nutritional needs of a cactus are not the same as those of an orchid or a citrus tree. It is also possible to classify them according to the type of components they contain.

According to the type of plant:

• For Cactus

It should contain amino acids in addition to the typical nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. You should look for one that has little nitrogen and more potassium, and if it has magnesium, so much the better.

• For flowering plants

For this type of plant, the ideal fertiliser should be very rich in nitrogen and potassium, as this stimulates the growth of leaves and flowers.

• For palm trees

Palm trees have particular requirements, so you should look for a fertiliser with a 7-3-6 ratio, which is also rich in micronutrients.

• For Acidophilus

It should contain more nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium. Ideally it should have a 6-5-8 ratio and ideally a little iron.

• For Bonsai

As they are plants that live in small pots, they should receive little nitrogen. This is very particular, so you should look for specialised fertilisers with a ratio of 3-6-7.

Depending on the ingredients

• Simple

These are simple fertilisers, with only one ingredient or concentrated in one macro-element. Examples are the typical time-release nitrogen tablets, recommended for flowering plants.

• Binaries

As the name suggests, they have two active ingredients. Check the proportions and you can use them to complement certain organic fertilisers.

• Tertiary

They have a remarkable presence of the 3 main macro-elements, i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Their proportion is expressed by 3 numbers: 7-5-4, for example. Take into account the proportions and the type of plant to know if they are suitable.

How to use fertilisers and fertilisers

It is not a question of guessing which one is the best, but of making the most of their properties. For this reason it is advisable to use a combination of compost and fertiliser that benefits the plant. This is because organic fertilisers are usually rich in organic matter, but may not have enough macro-elements; whereas fertilisers offer controlled levels of these nutrients and you can choose the one that best suits your plant.

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One of the most frequent doubts is related to the frequency of use and the right time to apply them. Although you can find the instructions for use on the labels of each product, the right time to apply it can change depending on each species of plant, so it is necessary to look for the technical data sheet of the plant in question so that you can fertilise at the right time

Understanding the function of nutrients is important, as this will give you an insight into the proper use of the fertiliser or fertiliser. Nitrogen stimulates the growth of the plant, its leaves and flowers. It should not be used in winter, which is the plant's resting time, as it can weaken the plant, making it more sensitive to cold and disrupting the cycle of deciduous plants.

Phosphorus directly influences the flowering of the plant, as well as fruit production; but it also plays an important role in root production and development. Potassium is a protective component, which gives the plant the ability to withstand extreme temperatures.

If you notice, these nutrients present in fertilisers are ideal for the growth stage of plants, which usually occurs in spring and autumn, so these are the ideal times to apply them. However, it is always essential to check the characteristics and needs of each species. There are plants that have high nutritional requirements, so it is necessary to apply fertilisers every week during spring and summer; while there are others that have enough with fertiliser in spring and autumn.

A big mistake is to over-fertilise the plant. Using too much fertiliser will not make the plant grow at light speed, will not produce more fruit and will only make the plant more susceptible to disease and burn. Remember to always read the manufacturer's label, as each brand and producer has its own method of applying fertiliser.