PLANT FOODS

Evening Star, Issue 22526, 19 December 1936, Page 23

PLANT FOODS

HOW TO USE THEM In every case when feeding plants the grower should proceed with caution. In the case of quick-acting fertilisers more than usual care will need to be exercised. Solutions of natural manures will, if used in weak dilutions, prove mild in action, and are not in the least likely to make growth sappy and soft (writes the gardening contributor of the Auckland ‘ Herald ’). Fertilisers, on the other hand, unless used with judgment, are likely to do more harm than good. This is chiefly due to the fact that many use these fertilisers without a clear knowledge of the requirements of the plant. It is not enough to know that most plants require nitrogen, phosphates, and potash, but just how much of each in proportion, or in what form they are best applied will be more to the point. The only wise course where a knowledge of manorial-values is lacking, is to use one of the proprietary fertilisers sold by seedsmen which have been specially compounded for the purpose. Their formulae have been worked out by chemists, and as a rule form a complete and balanced food. If used in accordance with the directions they are perfectly safe to handle. Fertilisers, either in solution, or scattered dry around the plants, should never bo allowed to come into contact with the foliage, for quite a few have caustic ingredients, and the result will be unsightly burns. With moat compound fertilisers there are one or two ingredients which are not perfectly soluble. For this reason it is advisable, to keep the solutions well stirred while applying them. This is a point which should not be forgotten or some of the more valuable substances will be left at the bottom of the water can. Broadly speaking, flowering plants should not be fed until the buds are forming, for in many cases feeding before this period will stimulate foliage growth to such an extent that the incipient buds may suffer. This is not true in every case, but until such time as a knowledge of the requirements of different plants is acquired, it is the only safe rule to follow. Most vegetable crops will appreciate some help throughout their growing season, but a start should not be made until the plants are thoroughly established. This is particularly true of the cabbage tribe. Unless they_ are afforded a generous supply of nitrogen, the leaves will be tough, and probably unpleasant in flavour. Where a generous supply of manure was incorporated before planting, feeding will not assume the same importance, but there is no doubt that one or two dressings of nitrate of soda will improve the crop. But given in excess, the cabbage will be all outside leaf and no heart. There is another noint of major importance which might be stressed, and that is, that it is only plants in good health which are capable of deriving benefit from summer feeding. i