bone meal basics
Bone meal is a slow-release form
of phosphorus (P) that may be
expressed as phosphate or phosphorus.
Phosphorus as a percentage is 2.3
times higher than numbers shown for
phosphate, so 10% phosphate is the
same as 23% phosphorus. Bone meal
is sold in different forms, ranging
from coarse to fine grades. The most
commonly found form in most garden
stores is a finely ground powder with a
consistency similar to baking flour.
Bone meal can be incorporated into
soils at a rate of 10 lb. per 100 sq. ft.
of garden. Most vegetable plants will
benefit from an annual application of
bone meal, but it is particularly beneficial for root crops, including carrots,
onions, radishes, parsnips and turnips.
Flowers grown from bulbs, corms
and tubers will also benefit from an
application of bone meal. The calcium
infusion from bone meal helps plants
develop strong and healthy cells and
seeds. It also strengthens the stems and
aids in the development of new shoots
in perennial crops and shrubs. The
calcium in bone meal can also help
prevent common problems in vegetables such as blossom-end rot in crops
like tomatoes, eggplants and peppers.
Bone meal can be used as one part of
a balanced organic fertilizer program
for bulbs, roses and other plants that
benefit from a slow-release form of
phosphorus. It can feed plants for
up to four months. Although it does
not offer a high amount of either,
bone meal also has trace amounts of
nitrogen and potassium. Here’s when
to add bone meal to the garden—
and when not to.
Other organic or natural sources
of phosphorus besides bone meal
include rock phosphate and manure
from herbivores.
Bone Meal
for Phosphorus
Calcium is a naturally occurring secondary nutrient needed by crops for plant
growth. Plants use calcium from bone
meal and other sources to produce cell
walls and root ends. Calcium deficiency
shows itself in the roots, leaves and
fruits of plants, although it may be hard
to detect if it is only affecting the roots.
In leaves, the young leaves are affected
first and will appear slightly deformed.
Severe calcium deficiency will kill
growth tips and stop leaf production
entirely. Roots become stunted and
short, and are not vigorous enough to
penetrate through the soil. Calciumdeficient fruit may develop blossom-end
rot, which causes the blossom end of
the fruit to become dark, leathery feeling and looking, and eventually rotten.
Affected fruit will stop growing and
drop off the plant. For nitrogen-fixing
legumes, calcium deficiency will appear
as pod rot, and the plants will not fix
nitrogen as efficiently as those that are
well supplied with the mineral.
All plants need phosphorus, which
bone meal supplies, especially when
developing roots. It is one of the three
essential macronutrients, along with
nitrogen and potassium. Adequate
amounts of phosphorus in the soil
are essential for optimal crop yields.
In addition to root development, it
enables plants to store and transfer
energy, and develop flowers and fruit.
Maximum phosphorus availability
occurs between pH levels of 6 and 7.
A phosphorus deficiency may
present itself on the plant as stunted
growth, and weak or spindly stems.
Phosphorus-deficient leaf symptoms
include dark leaf veins while the
rest of the leaf fades to hues ranging
from yellow, purple or blue-green.
Flowers may be underdeveloped,
appear late, or not at all.
“The calcium infusion from bone
meal helps plants develop strong
and healthy cells and seeds.”
62
Maximum Yield USA | April 2015
Bone Meal
for Calcium