LIQUID (SOLUBLE)

The quick, effective way to nourish established plants in pots or in your garden! Liquid fertilizers go to
work almost immediately, assuring continued, superlative growth and quick recovery for those that are
tired and under-nourished. Our selection lets you find the right, well-balanced plant food — with
important minerals, trace elements, enzymes and other important natural components — for your
particular needs.

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Benefits of Liquid Fertilizer

Liquid fertilizers are concentrates or water-soluble powders of synthetic chemicals that contain a mix of
nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and iron. They are easy to apply to lawns and plants. After following
the directions to dilute the concentrate or create a liquid solution from powder mix, you can apply liquid
fertilizer using spray bottles or sprinkler attachments. The solution acts quickly to make nutrients
available to plants. Some liquid fertilizers provide an immediate effect as leaves and roots absorb the
mixture.

Nitrogen

Most liquid fertilizers contain nitrogen. Nitrogen, known by the symbol N, promotes dark green grass,
thick foliage and stimulated top growth in grasses and plants. Nitrogen is great for producing green
lawns, but too much nitrogen can stymie the growth of flowers and vegetable. It's best to use a balanced
fertilizer and apply it in the amount recommended on the packaging to avoid adding excessive nitrogen.
If you are planning to fertilize for the first time, consider having your soil professionally tested to
determine the nitrogen levels in your lawn and how much nitrogen should be added. The compounds
that produce nitrogen in fertilizer vary widely but may include animal manure, ammonium, urea or
nitrate.
Potassium

Potassium is another essential ingredient found in most liquid fertilizers. Potassium, also known by the
symbol K, promotes healthy roots and root development. Most fertilizers contain potassium in the form
of muriate of potash or potassium chloride. Because potassium chloride is easily dissolved in water,
plants can absorb it more quickly in a liquid-based fertilizer. As with nitrogen levels, you can test your soil
with a kit or have it checked professionally to determine current potassium levels and avoid excess
applications that can burn grass and other plants.

Phosphorous

Phosphorous is the third main ingredient found in most liquid fertilizers. Phosphorous, also known by the
symbol P, aids in plant photosynthesis, as well as flower production. In plants that produce fruit,
phosphorous helps the fruit production cycle by transferring energy within the plant's structure. A lack of
phosphorous means that plants will not produce fruits and that seeds produced by the plant may not
germinate properly. Adding too much phosphorous to your lawn or garden may result in a lack of zinc for
plants, leading to stunted growth.

Micronutrients

Micronutrients are ingredients that plants require for proper growth but may not be contained in all
liquid fertilizers. Examples of common micronutrients include calcium, zinc, boron, sulfur, magnesium,
iron and copper. To determine whether a liquid fertilizer contains all or some of these ingredients, read
the label on the bottle. All fertilizers contain a guaranteed analysis that shows the percentage of each
ingredient. For best results, select the proper balance of micronutrients for your soil based on regular
testing

Liquid Fertilizer

Commercially available liquid fertilizers are liquid concentrates or powders that you dissolve in water
before you apply them to the soil. These fertilizers usually contain a dye so that you can identify the
mixture. This type of fertilizer quickly leaches out of the soil with water, so you may have to apply it as
often as every two weeks. Herbaceous potted plants generally benefit from a complete liquid houseplant
fertilizer such as 20-20-20, 10-8-7 or similar ratio, notes the University of Connecticut Cooperative
Extension.