Bloom Boosters That Affect Soil PH

Plant Nutrition

• As they grow, healthy plants take large quantities of nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous from the surrounding soil. Nitrogen and phosphorous encourage the development of leaves, stems, and roots, while phosphorous is critical for the formation of flowers. As plants prepare to bloom, they absorb large amounts of phosphorous from the soil, as it is required to produce petals, fruits and seeds. Food designed specifically for flowering plants, or bloom boosters, increase the amount of phosphorous in the soil. The subsequent increase in the availability of nutrients improves the rate of cell division, helping plants generate larger, more abundant blooms.

Bloom Boosters

• While there are a number of commercially prepared bloom boosters, any high-phosphorous fertilizer will help a flowering plant be more productive. Gardeners who prefer a home remedy to store bought plant food can sprinkle bone meal or crushed rock around the base of flowering plants. These materials degrade slowly, providing nearby plants with an ongoing source of phosphorous, calcium, nitrogen and other essential micronutrients.

The pH Factor

• The pH of the soil, or measure of its acidity, has a direct impact on the ability of roots to take in nutrients. Even if a nutrient is readily available, the pH of the soil can alter a chemical's structure making it difficult to absorb. For most flowering plants, nutrient availability is best in soils with a pH of 6.0 to 7.5 or mildly acidic to neutral. Adding phosphorous-based plant foods to the soil can raise the pH, as they tend to be alkaline in nature. For many flowering plants, this is an added benefit as the slight shift in pH increases the availability of micronutrients, such as iron, iodine, nickel and zinc.

Acid-loving Plants

• While reducing the acidity of the soil improves the living conditions for some plants, there are a few that have adapted to life in acidic soils. The use of high-phosphorous bloom boosters near roses, rhododendrons, camellias and azaleas can lead to nutrient deficiencies because their roots cannot function properly if the soil is not acidic enough. To give acid-loving plants a nutrient boost, choose an all-purpose organic fertilizer, such as fish emulsion, compost or well-rotted cow manure. These materials contain enough nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous to improve bloom production and increase overall growth without causing a significant shift in the soil's pH.