NUTRIENT BREAKDOWN

Plants need Carbon-(C),Hydrogen-(H),& Oxygen-(O) in large quantities. Plants also need energy from the sunlight for photosynthesis.Apart from watering the plants, gardeners can trust nature to supply these big basic requirements.

The elements obtained from soil and fertilizers are grouped into three categories:

Major Nutrients or Macronutrients -- Nitrogen(N), Phosphorus(P), & Potassium(K)
Secondary Nutrients -- Calcium(Ca), Magnesium(Mg),& Sulfur(S)
Trace Elements or Micronutrients -- Boron(B), Chlorine(Cl), Copper(Cu), Iron(Fe), Manganese(Mn), Molybdenum(Mo), & Zinc(Zn)

The Major Nutrients or Macronutrients, are needed in relatively large quantites. Plants take up these three Nutrients from the soil.If they are not present in the soil,you can supply them by using fertilizers.The percentages of these nutrients are the three prominent numbers on any bag or box of fertilizer. And the Nutrients are always listed in the same order, with Nitrogen first, Phosphorus second, and Potassium third.
(See my Page on Fertilizers).

The Secondary Nutrients are needed in substantial quantities but not to the same extent as the "Major Nutrients". These Nutrients are needed to build cell walls and help manufacture chlorophyll among other uses. Where the soil is acid, the secondary nutrients are important to lime soil,both to maintain soil pH beneficial to plants and to supply calcium.

The Trace Elements or Micronutrients are needed in only small and minute quantities for good health. These nutrients are often not lacking in the soil,but they may be unavailable to certain plant roots. The cause of this problem is usually a soil pH that is too acid or too alkaline. In this case, rather than adding the nutrient, adjusting soil pH is the remedy. Too much of any of these nutrients can be harmful.

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