Horticultural Science Unit A Horticulture CD

Problem Area 4 Growing Media, Nutrients, and Fertilizers

Supplying Nutrients to Floriculture Crops Lesson 3

Interest Approach What Does for Plants What Vitamins Do for You? –Vitamins: C – health D – strength A – eyesight Calcium-bones Iron-blood –Elements N – growth P – blossoms Ca – cell strength K - roots

Interest Approach cont. When Do Plants Need Differing Nutrients? New verses ______________? Flowers verses ___________? Going into winter vs.______? Trees verses _____________? Grasses verses ___________? Vegetables verses _________?

Student Objectives After this lesson you will be able to: 1. Name the nutrients needed for plant growth. 2. Describe pH and how it is modified. 3. Describe the components of a fertilizer. 4. Explain the methods of applying fertilizers to floriculture crops.

Terms Chlorosis Complete fertilizer Deficient Fertilizer Fertilizer analysis Incomplete Fertilizer Limestone Macronutrient Micronutrient Nitrogen (N) Phosphorus (P) Potassium (K) Slow release fertilizer Soil pH Soil test Sulfur

What are the nutrients needed for plant growth? 2 groups 1.Supplied by nature (mostly) C, H, & O 2.Supplied by fertilizer Nitrogen, Sulfur, …

Macronutrients - elements that are needed by the plant in the largest amount. Primary macros nitrogen (N) phosphorus (P) potassium (K) Secondary macros calcium (Ca) magnesium (Mg) sulfur (S).

Micronutrients -Needed in Smaller Amounts by the Plants, but Are Still Essential Boron (B) Copper(Cu) Chlorine (Cl) Iron (Fe) Manganese (Mn) Molybdenum (Mo) Zinc (Zn)

C HOPKNS CaFe Mg (mighty-good) This pneumonic is and easy way to remember the macronutrients. Now just remember the Micros! –Cu, B, Zn, Cl, Mo, Mn CuBZn Clean up Mo & Mn!

Soil Tests can be performed on the soil to determine which nutrients are present or deficient (absent or lacking). Are only as accurate as the test – you get what you pay for Can confirm nutrient deficiency shown by plant leaves.

pH potential of Hydrogen. A measure of alkalinity or acidity. pH ranges from 1 to 14. –1 being acid –14 being base (alkaline) Most plants prefer pH of 6.5 to 7.0 (neutral) pH is adjusted by using limestone or sulfur, as well as acid type fertilizers.

Fertilizer Material provided to supply nutrients needed for plant growth. –2 types of fertilizer Complete – contains the 3 Primary Macros Incomplete – missing 1 or more Primaries Fertilizer analysis states the percentage of primary nutrients.

16 – 4 – 8 16 % N 4 % P 2 O 5 8 % K 2 O Equals 28%??? Where is the rest?!? Salts and other carriers make up the remaining 72%

Fertilizer Available in three phases –Liquid, solid, gas (rarely used in floriculture) Applied by several methods Premixed into soil. Sprayed onto foliage. Injected into irrigation water. Slow release – dissolves over extended period of time.

Review

What are the nutrients needed for plant growth? Name the 3 nature supplied nutrients. CHO Name the 3 primary macronutrients. NPK Name the 3 secondary macronutrients. CaSMg The micronutrients? Fe., Cu B, Zn, Cl, Mo, MN

What is pH and how is it modified? Define pH. Measure of acidity / alkalinity –potential of Hydrogen Add limestone to _________ pH? Add sulfur to ___________pH?

What are the components of a fertilizer? Incomplete vs. complete? Complete has the 3 primary macros Incomplete is missing some primaries What is fertilizer analysis?

How are fertilizers applied to floriculture crops? List the 3 phases of fertilizers. Liquid, solid, gas List the application methods. Irrigation injection Slow release Premix into soil Spray onto foliage