The cloning/seedling and vegetative stages of
growth should be considered the foundation for pro-
ducing larger yields during the fruiting and flowering
stage. This is not to say that the way a plant is cared
for in the fruiting or flowering stage does not have
much significance over the yield; it definitely does.
However, without a good foundation (healthy growth
in the clone and early vegetative stages), a plant in
the flowering/fruiting stage can never live up to its
full potential. There is a wide variety of cloning and
vegetative specific products available to help horticul-
turists lay the groundwork for abundant harvests.
Essential Elements for Plants
Throughout all the stages of growth, plants re-
quire particular elements to survive and develop
properly. Although plants may need more or less of a
particular element depending on the stage of growth
they are in, scientists have determined a list of essen-
tial mineral elements (elements taken in through the
roots) that should be included in every grower’s fer-
tilizer regimen. These essential mineral elements are
further classified as either macro- or micronutrients.
The macronutrients are the nutrients used in higher
concentrations relative to micronutrients, which are
absorbed in smaller amounts. A closer look at a fertil-
izer’s label will reveal which macro- and micro-nutri-
ents are contained in that fertilizer.
GROW
NEPTUNE’S HARVEST
18
Macronutrients
The six essential elements classified as macronu-
trients are nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium,
magnesium, and sulfur.
(N) - Nitrogen is a basic component of chlo-
rophyll and is associated with the green color of a
plant’s leaves. Nitrogen is the main nutrient respon-
sible for vigorous growth, hence its higher concentra-
tion in “grow” base fertilizers.
(P) - Phosphorus stimulates root development
and, in turn, helps young plants or transplants estab-
lish more quickly. Phosphorus is also a key in initiat-
ing flowering, fruiting, ripening, and respiration.
(K) - Potassium is directly linked to a plant’s
structural integrity and increases the overall resis-
tance to cold, drought and pathogens. Much like
phosphorus, potassium plays an intricate role in initi-
ating the fruiting/blooming process.
(Ca) - Calcium is vital to plant structure and it
helps build, and actually becomes part of, the cell
walls. Calcium will be discussed more later in this
article.
(Mg) - Magnesium helps reinforce cell walls and
is also an important component of chlorophyll. Mag-
nesium encourages the absorption of phosphorus,
nitrogen, and sulfur.
(S) - Sulfur helps with chlorophyll production
and is a necessary component of several proteins, en-
zymes and vitamins.
Micronutrients
The eight essential elements classified as micro-
nutrients are iron, manganese, chlorine, boron, zinc,
copper, molybdenum, and nickel.
(Fe) - Iron assists biochemical processes, includ-
ing the manufacturing of chlorophyll. Iron also aids
in the formation of some enzymes and amino acids.
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March 2019