By Andi Anderson
Appropriate nutrient management is important for growing strong and healthy plants. Each plant has different fertility needs depending on its growth stage and species. Using the right fertilizer ensures better plant performance in both greenhouses and gardens.
During early stages like cotyledon and first true leaf formation, seedlings usually need only 25 to 50 ppm of nitrogen. As plants grow and are prepared for sale, they are grouped into three fertility categories—light, medium, and heavy feeders.
For example, begonias need less fertilizer compared to chrysanthemums. Light feeders (100–150 ppm nitrogen) include begonia, basil, and cosmos. Medium feeders (150–200 ppm nitrogen) include petunia, geranium, and campanula. Heavy feeders (200–300 ppm nitrogen) include chrysanthemum and poinsettia.
Mast Young Plants conducted a fertility trial during the 2024 Michigan Garden Plant Tour. It tested plants using no fertilizer, one slow-release application, or constant 150 ppm liquid fertilizer. The plants with constant feeding looked the most vibrant. Petunia ‘Bees Knees Yellow’ performed poorly without fertilizer but looked excellent with 150 ppm feed.
Some plants such as Begonia Adora ‘Velvet Red’ and Coleus ‘Ruby Red’ and ‘Sienna’ still looked good even with little or no fertilizer. These are ideal for gardeners who do not fertilize regularly.
Gardeners are encouraged to follow social media reminders to maintain plant shape, especially around summer events like the Fourth of July. Trimming and regular feeding keep plants blooming all season.
For a low-maintenance garden, choose plants like coleus and begonia. Refer to the top-performing 2024 cultivars while shopping this spring for the best results.
Photo Credit: michigan-state-university-msu
Categories: Michigan, Crops, General, Rural Lifestyle