GARDENS IN TAUPO

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 40, 15 October 1952, Page 2

GARDENS IN TAUPO

NOTES ON FERTILISERS

(By

"FLORA.")

All crops require, during theif growing season ten different elemets of food- — oxygen, hydrogeiHj, nitrogen, i carbon, phospherous potassuim/, calcium, sulphur ma ginesium and iron. Although every one of these ten elements is necessary, yet Ave do not require them all in the fertilizers we apply, because several occur in abundaftce in the soii or in the atmosphere. As a general rule only three suhstances are apt to be defieient in supply — nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. Hence we get the three main elasses of manure, nitrogenous, phosphatic and potassic. In some cases manures contain quantities of each of these three substances. To such the term "a complete manure" is applied. The tunctions of these three substances can be summcd up briefly as follows ■ Nitrogen is the growth food. Ifc produces large plants v/ith dark green leaves. It can be provided in Sulphate of Ammonia, Nitrate of Soda ahd Dried Blood. The latter has become very popular as a safe manure, and little inclined to force crops. It is perhaps the most suitable nitrogenous manure for our open^ porous soi.l, as in this type of soil it readily decomposes. All forrns pf nitrogenous manure | should be used only during the growing season and should be applied ^ to moist soil; between showers if • possible. It is frequently mixed • with bone dust, and sold as B ahd ! B blood and bone, in this, therefore>, the two elements phosphate and nitrogen are supplied together forming a I very useful fertiliser for general nuri poses. Phosphates are flower and fruit formers and also do much to stimulate root formation. This stimunation of root formation is of service to our vegetable crops which we grow during the hot day part of the year by getting the root quiekly down to the cooler, moister layers of soil. Phosphates are supplied as .bupei phate bone meal and basic slag. Superphate is rock phosphate ground to a fine powder with the addition of sulphure acid. It is best applied in spring and early summer, it is quick in action; and is the besfc lorm for our light soil. Basic Slag is better for heavy * soils, and only suitable where pumus is present. It should be applied in the winter. Bone meal is a safe fertiliser for long term manuring. It lemains in the soil for many months gradually releasmg its plant food; and for this reason is recommended for soil to be used for roses, bulbs, gladioli and fruits. It can be applied any season. ui Taupo soil is greatly lackmg m Phosphates. (To Be Gontinued.)