Plants are incredible living beings, as they are able to synthesize 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 depleted with some frequency and need to be replenished. This is why the use of fertilizers and fertilizers is important. But which one to buy? Are they the same? Are there differences between fertilizer and fertilizer?
Is there really a difference between compost and fertilizer?
There is a widespread myth that fertilizers feed the substrate and fertilizer takes care of the plant, which is completely true since both, depending on their composition, can fulfill these tasks. Another false belief is related to the frequency of use, and it is erroneously claimed that fertilizers are used only a couple of times a year, while fertilizers can be used continuously throughout the year. The truth is that both fertilizers and fertilizers can have different frequencies of use, depending on their composition.
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It is a
bit complicated to answer the question of whether there is a difference between fertilizer and fertilizer, because basically fertilizer and fertilizer are the same although there are differences between the two. It sounds contradictory, but fertilizer and fertilizer are the same at the level of function, insofar as both are compounds that seek to make the soil more fertile, so that the plant grows in optimal conditions. So if you're one of those who uses terms nonchalantly to refer to the act of nurturing the plant, you're right.
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The main difference between compost and fertilizer is in the composition. Basically, fertilizers are substances of organic origin, while fertilizers are chemical substances. There is a possibility that a fertilizer has more or less the same effect and properties as fertilizers, 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, given their organic or manufactured nature; In fact, there are also different types of fertilizers and fertilizers.
Fertilisers
Fertilizer is any substance with an organic or natural active ingredient. It can be vegetable or animal and is usually applied directly to the substrate, buried near the roots or placed around the plant. Fertilizers can be liquid or solid, The fertilizer can be completely natural, but you can also buy it already processed and packaged. The advantage of this is that you can be certain of its composition and frequency of use,
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Fertilizers can be classified according to homogeneity, while their richness is expressed with 3 numbers that indicate the percentage of the main macronutrients (N for nitrate, P for phosphorus and K for potassium). You can also find secondary macronutrients such as calcium, magnesium, and sulfur on the label. Another way to classify fertilizers is according to their composition.
Types of Manure
- Manure
It 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 little... smelly and even risky, because it takes longer to decompose and can have grass and weed seeds, plus it could transmit diseases to the plants. It is best to use the one that 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's has 8% calcium. It is usually mixed with straw and hairs to improve the hydrogen content.
Horse manure provides nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium but in a percentage of less than 3%. It is recommended to use it in very dry soils, because it makes them fluffier and more airy and if you complement it with worm hummus, you will have the perfect fertilizer. Cow manure has a low level of nutrients, but it is still used mostly in cold climates as mulch for plants. It offers 0.6% nitrogen, 0.4% potassium, and about 0.3 phosphorus.
- Green manures
fast-growing crops that are cut and used for fertilizer. They bury themselves directly into the soil and provide a lot of nitrogen to the soil, protecting it from erosion and limiting the growth of weeds; They also stimulate plant growth because they improve 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. Legumes fix nitrogen to the substrate. Grasses such as Avena sativa are also used, which form a more stable and balanced humus; while cruciferous plants such as Brassica Napus or Canola grow very fast and allow you to make green manure in a jiffy.
Making green manure is very simple. Only the seeds of the chosen plants should be planted in the land of your choice, watered and allowed to grow. When they are large and about to flower, they should be uprooted and buried in the substrate where they were planted. You can now sow whatever you want there.
- Believe
it or not, this fertilizer comes from the droppings of seabirds, seals, and bats. Guano is a fantastic organic fertilizer, as it is very rich in nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, which makes it one of the most complete fertilizers you can get. Don't think that just any bird droppings will do, because this blessed balance of micronutrients is possible thanks to the diet of these animals that live near the sea and feed on fish and shellfish.
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Guano is not an easy material to come by. It is normally extracted from remote places such as the Peruvian coasts, where birds such as the guanay, booby and pelicans are inhabited, which easily find food in these lands so they nest in the vicinity. This, coupled with the intense sunlight, allows guano to accumulate and be collected. For this reason, guano can be a bit of an expensive fertilizer. After harvesting, it is processed and packed. It can be found in the form of liquid, powder, and granules.
Worm castings
- Worm castings
are an organic fertilizer rich in nutrients. It comes from the droppings of earthworms, which have already processed the organic matter in the soil, decomposing it. In addition, they dilute the minerals and turn 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 castings are one of the most commonly used fertilizers 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 it comes to transplants, as it prevents diseases and stimulates rooting at such a delicate time. As if that were not enough, it protects the plant from pathogens, enhances the biological activity of the soil, is non-toxic and does not alter the biological balance of the soil.
Fertilizer
Fertilizers are products responsible for nourishing the substrate to promote the proper development of the plant. The main characteristic of fertilizers, and what differentiates them from fertilizers, is that fertilizers are artificial. Fertilizer is manufactured and must be dissolved in water so that it can release nutrients that will be absorbed by plants. Fertilizers can be liquid, solid, or extended-release.
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Types of Fertilizer
The types of fertilizer are classified according to the type of plant on which it will be used, as the precise proportion of nutrients for each species or type of plant is calculated. 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 by the type of components they have.
Depending on 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, if it has magnesium then much better.
- For flowering plants
For this type of plant, the fertilizer should ideally be very rich in nitrogen and potassium, as this stimulates the growth of leaves and flowers.
- Palm
trees have particular requirements, so you're looking for a fertilizer with a 7-3-6 ratio that is also rich in micronutrients.
- It
should contain more nitrogen than phosphorus and potassium. Ideally, it should have a 6-5-8 ratio and better if it has a little iron.
- For bonsai
As they are plants that live in small pots, they should receive little nitrogen. This is a very particular thing, which is why you should look for specialized fertilizers with a 3-6-7 ratio.
- Simple
are simple fertilizers, with a single ingredient or that are concentrated in a macroelement. An example is the typical nitrogen extended-release tablets, recommended for flowering plants.
- Binaries
As the name implies, they have two active ingredients. Check the proportions well and you can use it to complement certain organic fertilizers.
- It
has a remarkable presence of the 3 main macroelements, i.e. nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Their ratio is expressed with 3 numbers: 7-5-4, for example. Consider the proportions and type of plant to know if they are suitable.
How to use fertilisers and fertilisers
Here it is not a matter of guessing which is the best of all, but of making the most of its properties. For this reason, it is advisable to use a combination of fertilizer and fertilizers that will benefit the plant. This is because organic fertilizers are usually rich in organic matter, but may not have enough macroelements; While fertilizers offer controlled levels of these nutrients and you can choose the one that works best for your plant.
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One of the
most frequent doubts is related to the frequency of use and the appropriate time to apply them. Although you can find the instructions for use on the labels of each product, the right time to put it on can change depending on each species of plant, so it is necessary that you look for the technical data sheet of the plant in question so that you can fertilize at the right time
Understanding the function of nutrients is important, as this way you can intuit the proper use of fertilizer or fertilizer. 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 could weaken the plant, making it more sensitive to cold and messing up the cycle of deciduous plants.
Phosphorus directly influences the flowering of the plant, as well as the production of fruits, but it also plays an important role in root production and development. Potassium is a protective component, offering the plant the ability to withstand extreme temperatures.
If you notice, these nutrients present in fertilizers are ideal for the growth stage of plants, which usually occurs in spring and fall, so these are the ideal times to apply them. In any case, it is always essential to review the characteristics and needs of each species. There are plants that have high nutritional requirements, so fertilizers must be applied every week during spring and summer; while there are others that have enough fertilizer in spring and fall.
A big mistake is over-fertilizing the plant. Using a lot of fertilizer won't make the plant grow at lightspeed, it won't bear more fruit, and it will only make the plant more susceptible to disease in addition to burning. Always remember to read the manufacturer's label, as each brand and producer has its own method for applying fertilizer.