Over fertilization of plants is a common mistake among many farmers. However, there are better ways to achieve the best results from your gardening efforts.
It’s important to correct mistakes and learn how to fertilize plants properly. Some signs help you determine how much and what type of fertilizer to use.
Always calculate the measurements of each time interval. By doing so, you’ll be able to ensure the application of recommended amounts of each solution available for the plant’s specific needs. This article dwells on the significant signs of overfertilization.
Stunted Growth or Death
Death of a seedling due to overfertilization is common in gardening, especially for those just starting. It may happen if you add too much fertilizer to the ground or when you add fertilizer too frequently.
The result is a nutrient imbalance which can be fatal for the seedling, leading to stunted growth and eventually death. Therefore, it’s essential to follow the instructions on the package when adding fertilizer and to use it sparingly. It’s also crucial to keep a close eye on your seedlings’ health and take action if they show signs of distress.
A pH test kit can help determine whether you have too much nitrogen. Additionally, it can determine whether your soil is acidic or alkaline and requires more acidity or alkalinity. If it’s too acidic, adding soil amendments such as lime can help balance out the pH level in your soil. If it’s too alkaline, adding some microbial biofertilizer can help balance the pH level in your soil.
With proper care, you can avoid the death of your seedling due to overfertilization and have a thriving garden in no time.
A Crust of Fertilizer on Top of the Soil
The plant may have a layer of fertilizer in the surrounding soil. To prevent this from happening, it’s essential to periodically water your plants to keep them moist, even if you don’t have any fertilizers left in your yard.
If your plants aren’t getting enough water, check for leaks or cracks in the pipes that deliver water to your home. If you find these leaks, fill them with caulk or silicone. Ensure you do so thoroughly and evenly throughout each plant’s root zone when you water your trees or shrubs.
Falling Leaves
If you have a garden and notice that your plants are dropping their leaves and turning yellow, it’s not a good sign. If the plant does not have adequate nutrients, the leaves become yellow and fall off.
The only method to address this situation is to use fewer bio-fertilizer products and ensure they have enough water throughout the season. During the growth season, a reasonable rule of thumb is to give your plants around 1/2 inch of water every week.
Yellow Leaves
Too much microbial fertilizer will cause the nutrients to build up in the plant and eventually burn through its nutrients. You’ll start seeing yellow or brown edges on the leaves because the plant is using up its reserves and can’t support itself anymore. If you continue to over-fertilize your plants, they won’t be able to grow properly and can die due to poor growth.
Blackening Of Roots
Root blackening indicates overfertilization, lack of essential nutrients, or both. For example, blackening may occur because of overuse of fertilizer, application of too many nutrients, or insufficient watering while being fertilized.
The roots will become woody and black if they cannot correctly breathe appropriately by watering and fertilizing. Therefore, it’s essential to allow the plant to recover before fertilizing again.
Why Do Plants Need Fertilizers?
Plants need fertilizer because they are growing. They take nutrients from the soil through roots and grow new leaves, stems, and seeds. In addition, they pull water and minerals from the ground. They also produce food by using photosynthesis to convert light energy into chemical energy stored in starch or sugar.
Plants can’t make their food as humans can. Instead, they have to feed themselves with something else (like sunlight). So, they rely on fertilizer to supply them with the necessary nutrients to grow strong and healthy plants.
How Do You Reverse Over-Fertilization in Plants?
The effect of overfertilization is to cause the plant to produce more leaves and fewer flowers. Plants can be overfertilized by applying too much fertilizer, using fertilizers that are too high in nitrogen, or using high-nitrogen fertilizer when the plant does not need it.
Overfertilization also occurs when plants receive too much water, which causes them to accept more fertilizer than they can use. The reverse effect of over-fertilization is less blatant but just as detrimental to your garden.
However, there are techniques to counteract the effects of over-fertilization.
- The first step is to flush the soil. It means running water through the soil for several minutes, which will help to leach out the excess fertilizer.
- You can also minimize the volume of fertilizer used in the future by using a soil test kit to determine the nutrient levels in the soil. It will help you determine how much fertilizer is needed.
- You can add organic fertilizer to your soil to increase its nutrient content such as compost or mulch.
- Avoid over-fertilizing in the future by using the recommended amount of fertilizer and using it sparingly. How can you grow organic fertilizers? You can use weeds, grass clipping, manure, and banana peels.
With these steps, you can help your plants recover from over-fertilization and keep them healthy in the future.
What Happens When You Overfertilize Plants?
When you apply excessive fertilizer to the soil, the plants cannot take up water. Instead, they depend on a specific pressure gradient from the outside to the root. When the number of dissolved particles rises from the dirt surrounding the roots, the water enters the plant.
If the pressure gets too high, the water reverses its direction. The leaves often burn when this happens, as they don’t have the necessary water to cool them. Plants can adapt to the fluctuations in the nutrient levels near their roots, but they are most successful when the levels remain constant.
Fertigation offers a small dose of fertilizer every time you water, keeping the nutrient level stable around the root. It’s preferable to the alternative, sporadically dousing the plants with fertilizer. Plants thrive when not overwhelmed.
Following the label directions is the best way to avoid burning your plants. The label will tell you how much fertilizer to use and how often. Moreover, it will tell you if the plant needs additional nutrients for proper growth.
Contact American Biosystems
For any questions you may have about over fertilization and how it can affect your gardening efforts, contact American Biosystems today.
