fertilization
Plants extract nutrients from the soil to survive. Plants live in the same spot for years and slowly deplete the soil of available nutrients. Fertilizer can supplement those nutrients when they are not available in sufficient amounts in the soil so your plant can grow healthy. Healthy growth is one of the keys to plants fighting off diseases, insects and other problems. At bioTree, we focus on a holistic approach to fertilization by diagnosing the true need of the tree or landscape plant and only supplying the necessary nutrients.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Light colored leaves or prominent veins are two indications of a possible nutrient deficiency. Just because a nutrient is deficient in the plant does not mean the soil lacks the nutrient. But it does mean the plant is unable to access the necessary nutrient. Nutrient deficiencies lead to stress, which then can lead to dieback or pest infestations. Supplementing the nutrients with available forms of fertilizer is the best way to correct or prevent nutrient deficiencies.
Slow Growth
When you plant a tree or landscape plant, you expect it to grow. When it fails to grow or grows too slowly, it is cause for concern. There are several reasons a plant might not grow. The root system may be confined or wrapped around the trunk (girdling roots). The plant may be growing in a confined space, such as next to a building, or have been trimmed too much. Other problems can include drought, poor drainage, spray damage, salt damage and lack of available nutrients. Diagnosis is the first step to correcting slow growth. Sometimes environmental changes are necessary to get more growth. Sometimes fertilizers and biostimulants can be used to promote additional growth.
Older Plants
Plants lack mobility. Overtime, being stuck in the same spot, plants extract the available nutrients from the soil. Fertilization can replace those nutrients to help older plants thrive.
Biologicals
Nutrients generally become available for plants to take up as a result of biological processes. Soil microbes break down organic matter, releasing nutrients for plants. Sometimes soil biology isn’t as active. It could be due to construction soils, a spill, or some other factor. Fortunately, biologicals can be supplemented into the soil to aid natural populations. This results in a more long-term benefit and support of your plant.