What Are the Negative Effects of Chemical Fertilizers on Flowers?

Phosphorus

• As one of the main components of chemical fertilizers, phosphorus can easily build up in the soil of your garden. Overuse of chemical fertilizer products could increase this buildup to levels that are unhealthy for proper plant maintenance. When garden soil becomes overly saturated with phosphorus, plants and flowers are unable to pull necessary nutrients such as zinc and iron into their systems. This greatly reduces the flower's growth and can even cause plants to die from lack of proper nutrition.

High Acidity

• The highly acidic pH of most chemical fertilizers can cause an imbalance in your flower's overall system. When these types of fertilizers are used too often or in quantities that are too large for the amount of garden area, the soil's pH could rise to an overly acidic level. High acid rates in the ground interfere with nitrogen delivery to the plant. This impacts the flower's growth rate, causing it to develop at a slower pace. Additionally, flowers that are exposed to highly acidic soil could be smaller or shorter than those in a balanced environment.

Soil Hardening

• Consistent use of chemical fertilizers not only impacts the biological makeup of the soil but also has an effect on its physical qualities. While smooth, rich soil creates an environment that promotes plant growth through the proper delivery of nutrients, this might not be true of overly fertilized areas. Chemical fertilizer products can cause soil hardening, leaving it unable to hold adequate nutrients or water. Flowers planted in this type of soil will be left unable to thrive because of poor nutrition and dehydration.

High Nitrogen

• Like high phosphorus, high nitrogen levels that result from overuse of chemical fertilizers can impact the flower's growth pattern. While some nitrogen is necessary for the plant's maintenance and development, too much causes negative effects. If you are looking forward to seeing your flower's bright blooms and buds, high nitrogen levels in the soil can delay this from happening. The overuse of nitrogen-containing fertilizers can also burn or damage the leaves of your plant if directly applied to the foliage.