February 5, 2000
Question: Can you set me straight on what fertilizer I should use for my lawn and palms? Are they one in the same? If not, why not?
- Carol M., East Fort Myers
Answer: The use of chemical fertilizers to assist plant growth is just about 120 years old. However, fertilizer recommendation is not static, and as we learn more about a particular plant its fertilizer recommendation often changes.
There are at least 14 essential nutrients that plants obtain from the soil. Fertilizer application is an attempt to supplement some of these essential nutrients that may be in short supply. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are the big three essentials. They are reflected in that order as the first three numbers appearing on a bag of fertilizer. Nitrogen is generally associated with vegetative growth. This element gives the ‘green-up’ response most often associated with fertilization. Phosphorus is associated with flowering and fruiting and potassium with root growth. Thus, a lawn fertilizer normally has a higher first number; flowering plants a predominant second numbers and plants grown for their underground roots or tubers are associated with high potassium content.
Currently, these are the standard analysis associated with the following types of plants. Note that you may not obtain the exact ratio. In those cases, purchase the fertilizer having the closest recommended ratio. Another tip, slow-release fertilizers have been proven best for Florida’s sandy soils.
Lawn; 16-4-8; ( a 4:1:2 ratio)
Citrus; 6-6-6 or 8-8-8; (a 1:1:1 ratio)
Palms; 8-4-12; (a 2:1:3 ratio)
Trees and Shrubs; 15-5-10 or 15-5-15; (a 3:1:2 or 3:1:3 ratio).
- Stephen Brown is a horticulture agent with the Lee County Extension. To submit questions call the horticulture desk at 461- 7504 between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. or via e-mail at shb@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu. Listen to the ‘Garden Show" at 8 a.m. on 1200-AM
WINK/WNOG.