Tips on how to understand a fertilizer label

Plants, like people, need a balanced diet to thrive.

Here is the 'mystery' of fertilizers broken down into its most basic form.

Tips

 * One may use a combination of
 * liquid fertilizer for quick uptake and
 * dry kinds that kicks in a little later, and
 * even time-released fertilizers that prolong the benefit to the plants.
 * When reading a fertilizer label you may notice items like: Magnesium, Calcium, Sulfur, Iron, Manganese, Zinc, Boron and Molybdenum in addition to Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium in chemical compounds. These trace elements are essential to the plant's growth. Many of these elements are available in the soil naturally. Plants take in elements (chemicals) through their roots and leaves. Plants convert these raw elements into fruit and foliage, rich in vitamins. Avoid the purchase of additives such as Vitamin B or any so-called fertilizer which contains proteins or fats. Plants can not absorb vitamins, pet food, milk or any processed foods.
 * Well composted vegetation is beneficial to your plant's health because it has been broken down and returned to basic elements for the plant to absorb. Compost also loosens the soil and allows the roots to receive oxygen.
 * Remember: Plants take in elements and convert them into vitamins. Humans take in vitamins and convert them into elements.
 * Fertilizers do not produce instant results. In many cases, it takes two or three weeks for any physical changes to be seen.
 * Components of dry fertilizers may have to break down, and certainly at the very least must dissolve and be kept well enough watered for several weeks to be made continuously available to the roots.
 * As a general rule liquid fertilizers cost much more for the product you receive than their dry equivalent, but they may impact the plant quickly as they are already in a form that is water borne in solution.

Read more...http://www.wikihow.com/Read-a-Fertilizer-Label