What's your question? Ask

Fertilizer

Q.What Is N. P. K

Zone The Republic Of Cameroon | Tanda Mbua added on July 26, 2017 | Answered

I Want To Know The Full Meaning Of N P K Which Always See Written On Fertilizers’ Bags

A.Answers to this queston: Add Answer
ellie13232
Answered on July 27, 2017

The letters refer to Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potash (K). A way to remember what they do is UP, DOWN, and ALL AROUND. Nitrogen causes foliar growth so growing UP and green leafy growth. Phosphorus causes root development so DOWN into the root system, and Potash is ALL AROUND so helps with development of the entire plant. This is the general idea. Another way of looking at is that for blooming plants they need the Phosphorous and Potash to be greater in number that the nitrogen to encourage blooming. New plants usually need less nitrogen and more Phosphorous and Potash to get going. I hope this helps.

Was this answer useful?
00

MichiganDot
Answered on July 26, 2017

These are the primary nutrients in fertilizer. N= nitrogen. P= phosphorus. K=potassium (remember high school chemistry?) Plants need all 3 of these plus some micronutrients. The best way to know what your plants need is to do a soil test. Done at the county extension service in your state, it will tell you what you have and what to do to correct any deficiencies. Many plants do fine with just adding compost into the soil. Fertilizer isn't necessary. Plants grown in pots in "potting soil" are a different matter. Even here, different plants have different needs. Nitrogen leads to good green leafy growth which sounds good but on a flowering annual, leaf growth may come at the expense of flowers. Cosmos are a good example; you get a lush, great-looking plant but few blooms. So there is no one fertilizer that fits all plants, esp. perennials. Here is more info:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/garden-how-to/soil-fertilizers/fertilizer-numbers-npk.htm

Was this answer useful?
00

Log in or sign up to help answer this question.

Did you find this helpful? Share it with your friends!

You must be logged into your account to answer a question.

If you don't have an account sign up for an account now.

Looking for more?
here are more questions about...
Fertilizer
Join Us - Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips!

Do you know a lot about gardening?
Become a GKH Gardening Expert

OK