Author Archives: ThePlantLady

About ThePlantLady

ThePlantLady.com is a library of gardening information compiled from many resources, including written texts, online databases, current research, and first-hand experience from farmers and gardeners. It includes growing requirements specific to each plant, as well as varietal information. My background in microbiology and chemistry allows me to tap into the scientific research being done today and digest it for the use of the home gardener or small farmer.

Sulfur (S)

One of the 13 essential elements for plant growth and is one of the 6 Major Elements, based on concentration required Sulfur is essential to good flavor in vegetables principle form of uptake: ionic form sulfate (SO42-) amount required for healthy plant growth: 1,000 ppm, 0.1%, dry soil matter application of about 20 lbs sulfur per acre is […]

Magnesium (Mg)

principle form of uptake: ionic form (Mg2+) One of the 13 essential elements for plant growth and is one of the 6 Major Elements, based on concentration required amount required for healthy plant growth: 2,000 ppm, 0.2%, dry soil matter soil conditions related to deficiencies of magnesium: acidic sandy soils subjected to high rainfall or irrigation […]

Calcium (Ca)

One of the 13 essential elements for plant growth and is one of the 6 Major Elements, based on concentration required calcium is needed in much greater quantity than all the other elements combinedIG calcium is naturally abundantIG principle form of uptake: ionic form (Ca2+) amount required for healthy plant growth: 5,000 ppm, 0.5%, dry soil matter […]

Potassium (K)

One of the 13 essential elements for plant growth and is considered one of the 6 Major Elements, based on concentration required principle form of uptake: ionic form (K+) potassium primarily moves through the soil via diffusion soil factors that affect uptake of potassium by plants: soil moisture movement of ions temperature the level of decomposition of […]

Phosphorous (P)

One of the 13 essential elements for plant growth and is one of the 6 Major Elements, based on concentration required principle form of uptake: ionic forms dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4–), monohydrogen phosphate (HPO42-), and orthophosphate (PO43-) amount required for healthy plant growth: 2,000 ppm, 0.2%, dry soil matter Soil conditions related to a deficiency of phosphorous: mineral soils low […]

Nitrogen (N)

One of the 13 essential elements for plant growth and is one of the 6 Major Elements, based on concentration required amount required for healthy plant growth: 14,000 ppm, 1.4%, dry soil matter Principle form of uptake: ionic forms ammonium, (NH4+) and nitrate (NO3–) the preferred form changes from NH4 to NO3 as the plant approaches maturity Nitrate […]

Diffusion of Soil Solution

movement of elemental ions into proximity of plant roots for absorption ions move from within soil solution from an area of high concentration to an area of lower concentration by diffusion as ions are absorbed, the concentration gradient causes ions to diffuse movement by diffusion is measured in millimeters doesn’t require much soil moisture, unlike […]

Mass Flow of Soil Solution

movement of soil solution through soil brings elements into proximity of plant roots for uptake elemental ions can be carried considerable distances by mass flow mass flow moves in 3 directions: down, up (by evaporation), and laterally (to a small degree) by an advancing water front low moisture content impedes mass flow Calcium ions (Ca2+) […]