Not only is there a scientific revolution underway in penetrating outer space, but there is a continuing scientific evolution in our gardens, illustrated by how we now feed plants with highly concentrated fertilizer in solution.
This evolution is taking place in flower and vegetable gardens, greenhouses, and farms for the production of field crops, fruits, and vegetables.
By 1965, at least one-half of all the fertilizer used in this country may be applied in liquid form.
Advantages of Liquid Fertilizers
The advantages of liquid feeding have brought about change. Low analysis: Dry fertilizers demand thorough mixing with soil to feed plants properly. To incorporate them is a chore not relished by most gardeners.
Many of us are tempted to sprinkle the dry material on the soil’s surface, but plants can utilize only a small portion of the material’s nutrients when applied this way.
Moreover, nutrients that are applied dry are not available to the roots in the early spring when the soil is cold. Yet many plants, including cherished trees, need nitrogen desperately.
Again, in periods of dry weather, nutrients that are supplied in a dry form are often unavailable since they first must be dissolved in soil moisture before the roots can absorb them.
Furthermore, the dry product may injure roots and “burn” the plants if the application is too heavy.
Effectiveness and Application of Liquid Fertilizers
The price per pound of high-analysis fertilizer is considerably more than that of the low, dry type because of the former’s high analysis. It must be instantly water-soluble, necessitating costlier ingredients.
Plants appear to absorb a greater proportion of soluble nutrients, making liquid fertilizer more efficient.
Worthy of note, too, is the fact that the high analysis materials cause much less accumulation in the soil of harmful residual salts than do a dry application, low analysis materials.
Radioactive tracer tests show that liquid fertilizers can be found within two hours after application throughout the entire plant, while fertilizers that are applied dry may take days.
Liquid fertilizers can also be distributed more evenly than dry, and less fertilizer usually is required. You will find that soluble fertilizers are easy to use and virtually odorless.
Most of the concentrates from which liquid fertilizers are prepared are packaged as a dry powder and diluted at the recommended rate in water before making an application.
They dissolve completely in soft or low lime water, but in hard water, the water’s calcium may precipitate some of the concentrate’s phosphate, causing some cloudiness.
Application Recommendations
Liquid fertilizers are applied in three ways: as a liquid poured over the soil from a can, as a spray application to leaves, stems, and bark, and as a soaking solution, called a starter solution.
When starting seeds in bands, pots, flats, or beds, wet the soil 10 or 15 minutes before sowing the seed.
For such a treatment, a dilution of two to three level tablespoons (a level tablespoon is equal to about one-half ounce) of concentrate to a gallon of water is recommended, applying one gallon to each six to 1 2 square feet of plant bed area.
Subsequent applications at intervals of 10 days to two weeks will produce healthy, stocky plants. An application 48 hours before transplanting seedlings will pay dividends.
Immediately after transplanting flowering annuals, perennials, vegetables, or strawberries, pour a teacupful of solution around each. Tests prove this reduces transplanting shock, hastens maturity, and increases yields.
Whenever transplanting a tree or shrub, shape a basin in the soil and pour into it a gallon of the solution.
At two and again at five weeks after transplanting, make additional applications with the solution containing two tablespoons of the concentrate to a gallon.
Another might be given long-season crops, such as eggplant and tomatoes, shortly after their fruit is set.
However, it is advisable not to make applications indiscriminately since excessive amounts of high-nitrogen materials should be avoided on most flowering and fruiting plants.
Foliar Feeding and Lawn Application
Since most plants absorb plant food through their leaves, the fertilizer may be sprayed on the foliage and stems.
Plants like asparagus, with little leaf surface, and onions and cauliflower, which are extremely waxy and difficult to wet, are exceptions that demand soil feeding.
Applications may be made with a siphon-type fertilizer spray gun that attaches in place of the hose nozzle or with a siphon device that is attached to the hose and delivers the soluble material through the lawn sprinkler. The latter is particularly adapted to feeding the lawn.
Solutions applied to foliage must be weaker than those applied to the soil. Use a level tablespoon per gallon of water, varying it somewhat with different brands of concentrate. Read the label for the proper concentration.
Normally, the recommendation for most flowers, vegetables, and lawns is to spray at three-week intervals until two to four applications have been made each season.
The best results will follow morning application, drenching the leaves, especially their lower surfaces.
Some soluble concentrates are not suited to leaf spraying. If not, this clearly will be indicated on the label.
Normally, the recommendation for most flowers, vegetables, and lawns is to spray at three-week intervals until two to four applications have been made each season.
The best results will follow morning application, drenching the leaves, especially their lower surfaces.
Some soluble concentrates are not suited to leaf spraying. If not, this clearly will be indicated on the label.
44659 by Oscar Keeling Moore