Chemical fertilizer
Fertilizer manufacturers create artificial fertilizers by combining inorganic chemicals to form compounds such as ammonium nitrate or magnesium sulfate.1 Some advantages of chemical fertilizers are that they are inexpensive, readily available, and fast-growing plants such as annual flowers , they absorb nutrients quickly (unless the formula is designed to be a time-release fertilizer). Disadvantages include the risk of over-application, leading to burns, and the absence of soil-enhancing qualities.
Chemical fertilizers come in a variety of formulations, including granules, liquid concentrates, and powders. Some products come in pre-measured packages designed to be added to the watering can, making it convenient for gardeners to apply to containers, houseplants, or your garden. Flower fentilizers (Fertilizante de flores)
Foliar fertilizer
Foliar fertilizers are liquid nutrients that plants absorb through their leaves.
Not all flowers feed efficiently this way, because the waxes and hairs on some leaves act as a barrier to nutrient absorption. Flowering plants cannot receive all the nutrients they need through their leaves, but you may be able to address some nutrient deficiencies quickly by using foliar fertilizers. Potassium is a nutrient that is easily absorbed in foliar feeding applications, so use foliar fertilizers in the flower garden to address potassium deficiencies.
If your flowers show signs of chlorosis, a yellowing of the leaves, your plants may be iron deficient. Sometimes the quick results of foliar fertilizers can help.
Organic fertilizer
Organic fertilizers come from living things, such as animal manure, fish emulsion, leaf mold, and non-living things, such as rock phosphate or green sand.1 Organic matter fertilizers not only provide essential nutrients to flowers, but also improve soil tillage. The use of organic fertilizers has several advantages:
Do not burn plants
Strengthens the immune system of plants.
It is not toxic to beneficial insects and wildlife.
Staying active on the ground for long periods.
Disadvantages of organic fertilizers include their higher cost, attractive taste to some pets, and limited formulations. Organic fertilizers are not an overnight solution; they will not quickly correct severe nutrient deficiencies.
Simple fertilizer
If a soil test reveals a deficiency of an important nutrient, you can purchase a simple fertilizer, which contains only nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium as a separate ingredient. Simple fertilizers can have a chemical or organic composition. An example of a simple nitrogen fertilizer would be one that includes only urea or ammonium sulfate as an ingredient. A simple phosphorus fertilizer could include superphosphate or ground mineral phosphate as an ingredient. A potassium fertilizer can include potassium muriate in the container.
Slow release fertilizer
Technically, all organic fertilizers are slow-release because organic matter takes time to decompose in the presence of soil microorganisms.3 Slower-acting organic fertilizers include insoluble mineral fertilizers, such as rock potash and other rock powders.
Gardeners who prefer to fertilize plants infrequently can use slow-release fertilizers, which are coated or encapsulated to control the release of the fertilizer over a period of several weeks or months. These types of fertilizers are especially popular for indoor plant care and outdoor containers.