A Guide to Reading a Fertilizer

Being able to read the label on a fertilizer package is a crucial skill when cultivating bamboo. We found this how to guide to be a useful tool when it comes to understanding the different sections of the label. The health of your bamboo plant may depend on how well you can read the label. Remember, bamboo tends to favor high nitrogen fertilizer.

How to Read a Fertilizer Label

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Plants, like people, need a balanced diet to thrive. Here is the 'mystery' of fertilizers broken down into its most basic form.

Steps

Determine percentages of the major active ingredients in the package. N-P-K (Nitrogen- Phosphorus- Potassium) are the 3 most abundant ingredients listed on EVERY fertilizer label. They are always in this order. N-P-K You will see them on the label as three numbers. Such as: 30-10-10 / 10-5-5- / 21-0-0- But what does it mean and how do you know which formula you need? The first example, 30-10-10, means that if you had 100 pounds of that fertilizer there would be 30 pounds of available nitrogen, 10 pounds of available phosphorus and 10 pounds of available potassium (pot ash). The remaining 50 pounds are inert or inactive ingredients.
Know what each ingredient is used for. Nitrogen is for green and growth. Phosphorus and Potassium for fruit, flower and roots. To turn a lawn green and get it growing, 21-0-0 is the fastest and cheapest way to go. That is Sulphate of Ammonia. However, to promote a healthy lawn that is more drought-tolerant, you would want the roots to be well developed also. A general purpose lawn fertilizer such as 10-6-4 would be a far better diet to achieve a truly healthy lawn.
Research your plants needs. Check several sources. Compare notes on what different experts recommend for the type of plants you are growing. When making fertilizer purchases your knowledge of N-P-K percentages will aid in your decisions. Nitrogen = Green/Growing. Phosphorus and Potassium = Fruit/Flower/Roots.

Tips

When reading a fertilizer label you may notice items like: Magnesium, Calcium, Sulfur, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Boron and Molybdenum in addition to Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium. These 'trace' elements are essential to the plant's growth. Many of these elements are available in the soil naturally. Plants take in elements (chemicals) through their roots and leaves. Plants convert these raw elements into fruit and foliage, rich in vitamins. Avoid the purchase of additives such as 'Vitamin B' or any so-called fertilizer which contains proteins or fats. Plants can not absorb vitamins, pet food, milk or any processed foods.
Well composted vegetation is beneficial to your plant's health because it has been 'broken down' and returned to basic elements for the plant to absorb. Compost also loosens the soil and allows the roots to receive oxygen.
Remember: Plants take in elements and convert them into vitamins. Humans take in vitamins and convert them into elements.
Fertilizers do not produce instant results. In most cases, it takes two or three weeks for any physical changes to be seen.
As a general rule liquid fertilizers cost much more for the product you receive than their dry equivalent.

Warnings

Do not overfeed! When in doubt, use less than recommended, not more. If the label says one cup every month you would be safer to use 1/2 cup every 2 weeks. The same is true with houseplants. They can be fed a weaker solution every time you water instead of a large jolt every month.
Do not fertilize plants in the hot sun. This can cause leaf burn and damage the plant.
Most plants prefer to have a dormant period in the Fall and Winter. Unless you live in the tropics, stop feeding in the early Fall. New growth at that time of the year is subject to Winter frost damage. Houseplants enjoy having a 'resting' phase as opposed to forcing them to constantly grow.
Do not use fertilizers intended for outdoor use on your houseplants. The chances are very good that fertilizers intended for use on crops, shrubs and trees will be too strong for indoor or small container use.
Most seedlings do not benefit from fertilizer use. Wait until you feel the plant is old enough (3-4 weeks) to safely apply any fertilizer. When starting to fertilize very young plants do so sparingly.
As with any chemicals, be sure to keep out of reach of children.

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