nutrients

Major Elements Functional Uses In Plant Deficiency Symptoms

NUTRIENTS
(Macro Nutrients)
Nitrogen (N) Growth and development of green leaves Chlorosis of older, lower leaves; stunting
and stems; component of most proteins

Phosphorus (P) Promotes root growth and development; Purplish coloration; stunted root growth
energy storage and transfer within plant

Potassium (K) Improves cold hardiness, drought tolerance Poor flowering and fruit formation;
and disease resistance; promotes blooms brown leaf edges

Sulphur (S) Component of 3 proteins and 2B vitamins; Chlorosis of younger leaves; stunting
flavor of onion, garlic, and mustard; a fungicide

Calcium (Ca) Promotes cell division, strong cell walls, Collapse of cell walls and structural failure;
and sturdy structure curled leaf tips; stunting

Magnesium (Mg) Component of chlorophyll; Marginal (edges) and interveinal (between

essential for photosynthesis veins) chlorosis of older leaves

Minor Elements Functional Uses In Plant Deficiency Symptoms

(Micro Nutrients)
Iron (Fe) Formation of chlorophyll Interveinal chlorosis of younger leaves

Manganese (Mn) Helps in uptake of carbon dioxide which is Mottled interveinal chlorosis of leaves
used for photosynthesis.

Boron (B) Development of shoot tips and leaf bud; Tip growth die back and deformed buds
formation and movement of sugars in plant 159
Chlorine (Cl) Stimulates photosynthesis Wilting but rare because present in water

Copper (Cu) Formation of chlorophyll and converting leaf chlorosis and shoot tip growth die
sunlight into energy; also a fungicide back

Molybdenum (Mo) Helps production and use of nitrogen Marginal and interveinal chlorosis of
older leaves

Zinc (Zn) Formation of growth hormones Mottled leaf chlorosis, little leaves;
Rosetting
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NUTRIENTS

Plant Type Nutrients Needed Some Recommended Fertilizers

ANNUALS*
* If using Myke® Annual & Perennial growth supplement (increases phosphorous uptake), use fertilizers with 15% or less phosphorous (5-15-5)
Bedding Out Plants High phosphorous to Water soluble powder: Miracle Gro, Plant-Prod Flowering
promote flowering. Liquid concentrate: Alaska MorBloom
Granular: So-Green Rose and Flower, Smartcote Annual Food
Hanging Baskets Treat as a bedding out Water soluble/liquid concentrate: see ‘Bedding Out Plants’
plant or use slow-release Granular: Smartcote Hanging Basket Food
fertilizer in the soil. Other: Jobe’s Plant Spikes
Seedlings/Transplants High phosphorous for root Water soluble: Plant-Prod 10-52-10
growth; a root stimulant Liquid concentrate: Plant Starter 5-15-5 with rooting stimulant
is often required. Granular: Bone Meal, Root Grow
Vegetables Less emphasis on nitrogen Water soluble: Plant-Prod Tomato & Vegetable
except for leafy vegetables. Liquid concentrate: Schultz Tomato Food
Granular: So-Green Garden Food or Tomato Food, Vigioro Pink
All Purpose
Water Plants Only trace elements are Pond tablets in the water at the rate of one per month will supply
required. the necessary nutrients.

PERENNIALS*
* If using Myke® Bulb or Annual & Perennial growth supplement (increases phosphorous uptake), use fertilizers with 15% or less phosphorous (5-15-5)
Bulbs Relatively high Water soluble: Plant-Prod Flowering, Miracle Gro
(Spring & Summer) phosphorous fertilizer to Granular: Bone Meal
encourage roots & flowers. Note: Bloodmeal helps keep some squirrels from feeding on
bulbs.
Perennials Need phosphorous for a Water soluble: Plant-Prod Flowering, Miracle Gro
strong root system and Liquid concentrate: Alaska MorBloom, Shultz All Purpose
160 potassium for healthy Granular: Bonemeal, So-Green Perennial Food, Smartcote
growth. Perennial, Miracle Gro Shake-n-Feed
Transplanting High phosphorous to Water soluble: Plant-Prod 10-52-10
promote root growth Liquid concentrate: Plant Starter 5-15-5 with rooting stimulant
Granular:Root Grow or Bone Meal, So-Green Super Phosphate
Vines Require higher levels Water soluble: Miracle Gro, Plant-Prod Flowering
of phosphorous. Liquid concentrate: Alaska MorBloom
Granular: So-Green Clematis & Vine, Bone Meal when planting
Winterizing Never add nitrogen A fertilizer without nitrogen will strengthen plants for better
in fall as it encourages winter survival: Alaska MorBloom, So-Green Muriate of Potash
excess leafy growth.
TREES & SHRUBS*
* If using Myke® Tree & Shrub growth supplement (increases natural phosphorous uptake), use fertilizers with 15% or less phosphorous (5-15-5)
Deciduous Balanced nutrients Water soluble: Plant-Prod All Purpose, Miracle Gro
are necessary Liquid concentrate: Schultz All Purpose
Granular: Smartcote Shrub & Evergreen,
Miracle Gro Shake-n-Feed
Other: Tree/Shrub or Fruit Stakes, Ross Root Feeder Cartridges
Evergreens Higher in nitrogen for Water soluble: Plant-Prod Evergreen
for green growth. A soil Granular: Green Harvest Evergreen &Tree Food,
acidifier is beneficial. So-Green Evergreen, Smartcote Shrub & Evergreen Food
Other: Evergreen Tree Stakes, Ross Root Feeder Cartridges
Acidifier: Garden Sulphur, Aluminum Sulphate
Roses Need phosphorous for Water soluble: Miracle Gro, Plant-Prod Flowering
rooting & blooming. Liquid concentrate: Schultz Rose Food
Granular: So-Green Rose & Flower, Smartcote Rose Food,
Alaska MorBloom
 nutrients

NUTRIENTS
Plant Type Nutrients Needed Some Recommended Fertilizers

TREES & SHRUBS* (continued)

* If using Myke® Tree & shrub growth supplement (increases natural phosphorous uptake), use fertilizers with 15% or less phosphorous (5-15-5)
Transplanting High phosphorous; Water soluble: Plant-Prod 10-52-10
rooting stimulant Liquid concentrate: Plant Starter 5-15-5 with rooting stimulant
Granular: Root Grow, Bone Meal,
Smartcote Tree & Shrub Food
Winterizing No nitrogen after Aug. 1 A fertilizer with no nitrogen will strengthen plants & give roots
Less nitrogen slows top- a slight boost. Alaska MorBloom, So-Green Muriate of Potash
growth and helps plant
prepare for fall & winter.
LAWNS
Spring & Summer In spring and summer Liquid concentrate: CIL Golfgreen Liquid, Scotts Feed-n-Gro
higher nitrogen is required Granular: CIL Golfgreen, Scotts Turf Builder,
Myke Lawn Fertilizer
Winterizing Less nitrogen and more Granular: CIL Winterizer, Scotts Fall-Wintercare
potassium strengthens
grass plants for winter.
HOUSEPLANTS
Foliage Plants A balanced fertilizer Water soluble: Schultz All Purpose, Plant-Prod All Purpose
Liquid concentrate: Schultz All Purpose
Slow release: Jobe’s Houseplant or Fern & Ivy Spikes
Flowering A moderately high Water soluble: Plant-Prod Flowering
phosphorous level Liquid concentrate: Schultz All Purpose
to promote flowering Slow release: Jobe’s Flowering Plant Spikes, Myke Indoor Plant
African Violets Require phosphorous Liquid concentrate: Schultz African Violet
for bloom production
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Orchids Water soluble: Schultz Orchid Food, Plant-Prod Orchid
Cactus Cacti need less nitrogen Liquid concentrate: Schultz Cactus Food