Do Fertilized Plants Grow Faster?

Solid Fertilizer

• Solid fertilizers come in several forms, from small granules that mix with the soil to spikes that are planted in the ground. Nutrients from this type of fertilizer wash into the plant’s root system during rain or through regular watering. The result is a steady stream of nutrients that ensure plants are never wanting for additional nutrient content. Still, while this nutrient abundance can increase the speed of growth on a healthy plant, solid fertilizers often provide more nutrients than plants can handle. This overabundance creates a breeding ground for soil-borne bacteria and other problems that can stunt a plant’s growth and even kill it if left untreated. Using a carefully measured dose of fertilizer can minimize this problem.

Liquid Fertilizer

• While solid fertilizer releases its bounty over time, liquid fertilizer is already mixed with water and requires no additional catalyst to seep into the root system of the plant. The result is a rush of nutrients into the plant. Liquid fertilizers help young plants mature much faster than ones without fertilizer and can help malnourished plants recover quickly, but regular dosing of a healthy plant with liquid fertilizer can overload the plant’s systems and cause root burn.

Organic Fertilizer

• Not all fertilizers are man-made, and several options take advantage of all-natural and organic alternatives. These natural fertilizers, such as bone meal and compost, release nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus into the soil and help spur rapid growth in plants. Additionally, organic fertilizers decompose naturally, preventing too much nutrient content from burning the roots or attracting a frenzy of potentially dangerous microbial life. While these organic alternatives do provide nutrients, they are not designed for timed release and are not as concentrated as their man-made alternatives. Because of this, they do not provide as much aid as man-made liquid or solid fertilizers.

Mix Ratio

• Nitrogen is the element in fertilizer that is largely credited with the speed of a plant’s growth, but it is also a major cause of root burn and can seriously damage a plant in the event of overdose. Different plants require different mixes of fertilizer to grow quickly and healthfully. Look for a fertilizer that balances nutrition for your specific type of plant.