Top 10
Reasons to Use Archipelago Bat Guano
2.
More abundant and larger Flowers, Fruits and Vegetables, Strong Root Growth and
Plant Hardiness
Phosphate is essential for plant life in general, and for strong root
growth and plant reproduction specifically. ABG
phosphate should be applied to established fruiting or flowering plants
when they are ready to begin production, and as needed throughout the
production period to obtain the plant’s full potential. ABG
phosphate should also be applied to the soil around the root ball when
any plants are transplanted. This allows the plant to realize its
full root growth potential. When transplanting potted flowers, you
will get a double benefit by applying ABG phosphate around the root ball
– root growth and continued flowering after transplantation. Also,
use ABG phosphate when planting in the spring and fall for hardiness.
Why should you use ABG phosphate instead of an
all-purpose N-P-K fertilizer?
Because your plant does not need all nutrients in the same quantities at
all times. For example, plants need
nitrogen early in the growing season to establish plant size and leaf
growth and to help bring the plant to maturity. But when the plant
is ready to fruit or flower, nitrogen fertilization may inhibit the
plant’s full reproductive potential.
Thus, many authors suggest that you discontinue nitrogen application in
favor of phosphate fertilization while the plant is fruiting and
flowering. To do this, you need a
nitrogen-poor fertilizer such as ABG Phosphate.
But be careful to not over-use this material.
Over-use of phosphate fertilizer has caused pollution of many waterways
throughout the country.
Because of this, there is a growing drive to decrease phosphate use
nationwide. Simple soil tests that can guide
you as to phosphate needs are available through your local university
agricultural extension agencies or other public agencies. Be sure to understand though how
much of the phosphate is present in a form that is available to the
plants. If there is already
plenty of phosphate in the soil, but it is not in an available form, you
probably should work at releasing what is already there. This can normally be done by
decreasing the pH and increasing the organic content of the soil through
application of humate, manure, or compost. Addition of sulfur may be effective
for decreasing pH, but do not over-use that either.
Supporting
documents and further information can be found at the following web
sites:
1.
Essential Plant Nutrients: Their Presence in North Carolina Soils and
Role in Plant Nutrition, M. R. Tucker, 1999, North Carolina Department
of Agriculture & Consumer Services. (provides micronutrient
needs for soil)
2.
Why Don’t Shrubs Flower (or fruit)?,
D. Bir, 2002. (Most common reason for
lack of flowers in the soils at issue is lack of phosphate. Care
must be given not to apply too much nitrogen because this can inhibit
flowering.)
3.
The Green Lane, Roses and other flowers, 2002.
(In fall, stop nitrogen fertilization but add phosphate to the soil around
your rose bush. They recommend bone meal as a phosphate, but you
might read about that first. Too much nitrogen can promote
disease.)
4.
Mary Robson, Area Extension Agent, Answering your
frequently asked questions about Darden Flowers, Gardening in Western
Washington, WSU Extension. (Reason that cosmos plants are not
flowering may be too much nitrogen in the fertilizer. Advice
includes using a bloom fertilizer rich in phosphate to stimulate flower
growth.)
5.
Frequently asked perennial questions, University of Nebraska.
(Add a phosphate fertilizer when transplanting to develop root growth.
“Fertilizers high in nitrogen should not be used as nitrogen promotes
excess foliage at the expense of flowers and roots, causes floppy stems,
and can increase disease susceptibility.”)
6.
Transplant Roses with care. (Recommends applying phosphate
(bone meal) around the root ball of a transplanted rose.)
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