Maximum Yield Australia/New Zealand 2020 September/October | Page 50

When Can Seedlings
First Have Nutrients?
The soil where your seeds start can have
an impact on the future growth of your
plants. Generally speaking, seedlings
won’t need their nutrients until their first
full set of true leaves sprouts. Those first
leaves that emerge, called cotyledons,
are actually part of the seed and will
deliver nutrients to get the seedlings
started. The cotyledons feed the plant,
so you don’t necessarily need to start
feeding right away.
Once the true leaves appear, you may
wish to transfer the seedlings from their
current spot to a larger pot or a cell
pack. At this point, you can use some
potting mix with built-in nutrients,
or you may wish to choose your own
fertiliser to apply at regular intervals.
A diluted, water-soluble fertiliser can
deliver essential nutrients for the young
plants as they grow. Dissolving fertiliser
in water makes it so easy to feed your
plants as needed. You can monitor your
seedlings to decide if lightly fertilising
once or twice per week works best.
Signs of over-fertilising may include
yellowing leaves, slowed growth,
wilting, or buildup of salt. If you’ve used
a potting mix with nutrients already
mixed into the soil, proceed slowly
with any additional fertilising efforts to
avoid harming the plants.
Nourishment Timeline
for Baby Plants
Germinate seeds in starter containers
or packs. Choose between plain potting
medium or nutrient-enriched potting mix.
• Plain Potting Mix: After the first
set of “true leaves” emerges, apply
diluted, water-soluble fertiliser
only to seedlings not already
fortified with nutrient-rich soil.
• For a more organic fertiliser
route, consider using nitrogen-rich
blood meal, phosphorous-rich
bone meal, and potassium-rich
kelp meal.
• As another natural option,
you may also wish to make
your own compost.
• Nutrient-Rich Potting Mix: When
starting from potting mix with
added fertiliser, wait six to eight
weeks and then supplement the
nutrient-rich potting mix with a
little fertiliser.
• Look for clues that your plants
may be craving nitrogen, such
as yellowing or slowed growth
before adding more fertiliser.
Words of Caution When
Fertilising Young Plants
Using too much fertiliser too early
on can burn young plants and their
roots. It’s best to proceed with caution,
adding a little fertiliser at a time and
increasing as the plants grow and
mature. Remember, you can always
add more fertiliser, but you can’t really
undo overfertilisation.
You may also wish to have your
soil tested prior to fertilising so you
know about any nutrient deficiencies
that you should work to correct. Your
healthy plants and yields will thank
you for it!
It may be true that anyone can stick a
seed in a bit of soil, add some water
and sunlight, and watch it grow. There’s
a lot more to it, though. Pay attention
each planting season to discover
what works best as you familiarise
yourself with each different plant you
like to grow and which applications
produce the best results. With a solid
understanding of nutrients, fertilisers,
and growing conditions, you can
cultivate stronger, healthier, and more
vigorous plants year after year.
“
Signs
of over-fertilising
may include
yellowing leaves,
slowed growth,
wilting, or buildup
of salt.”
50
Maximum Yield