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Plants for mediterranean gardens => Fruit and Vegetables => Topic started by: hereistay on November 10, 2013, 03:15:35 PM

Title: N-P-K % is based on the plant or on the soil where the plant is cultivated?
Post by: hereistay on November 10, 2013, 03:15:35 PM

I'm trying to cultivate pistacia vera.
I found a lot of informations about fertilization and finally I have a N-P-K table of values for each plant for each year (from the first year up to the 7th year).
From the first to the 7th (or about the 10th) year plants do not produce fruits.
These values are based on a Californian study on Californian soils.
So my question is: are these values valid also for me in center Italy, or the macroelements values changes according to the soil where it is cultivated?
Then, I find values as grams/square meter and as grams/plants: have I to distribute fertilizer evenly or concentrated around the plants?
This study talks about N and microelement for the first 7 years, and only after the 7th year, when the plant should start to produce fruits, it introduces P and K elements.
So it means that before the beginning of the production of fruits I don't have to give P and K elements?For the first 7 years (or untill the plant doesn't start to produce fruits) the plant doesn't need P and K elements?
Lastly, now I have only rootstock (p. terebinthus) and I'm going to plant next year: have I to fertilize them?Have I to use the same values for grafted plants?When I'm going to plant rootstocks in orchard, have I to make a "deep soil fertilization" and with what fertilizers and what quantity?
In this study is used a liquid fertilizer for macroelements, it's the same if I use granular fertilizers?

Title: Re: N-P-K % is based on the plant or on the soil where the plant is cultivated?
Post by: David Bracey on November 12, 2013, 10:12:21 AM

You,re not getting much help., There are two approaches you could follow.  The first would be to have your soil analysed for N:P:K and perhaps some of the major micro elements.  This would allow you to add fertilizer as required...by the book.

My approach is more simplistic, just add a fertilizer with the highest NPK that you can find.  I used to use asparagus fertilizer.  This of course is not very green nor economic.

I would apply to the tree only.  I would suggest a good handfull spread around the tree would by adequate. Granules will do the same job as liquid fertilizer. Plants are generally very forgiving.  In my experience there is no need to be toooooooooooo exact. After all forest trees grow very tall without our help.

Let me know if you need more advice