Micronutrients

Plants, like all other living beings, require macro and micronutrients. While macronutrients (NPK) are essential for plant growth, it doesn’t mean that micronutrients are any less important. You can find micronutrient supplements to ensure your plants grow healthy and strong.

Essential micronutrients for plants

While plants require numerous micronutrients, there are ten in particular that hold more importance than the rest. These include:

• Iron
• Zinc
• Cobalt
• Boron
• Copper
• Chlorine
• Sodium
• Silicon
• Molybdenum
• Manganese

Importance of micronutrient supplements

If you are growing in a hydroponic setup, your plants will not be able to get these nutrients unless you use a supplement. Even in soil growing, some soils, such as those with high pH or low organic matter, do not have these nutrients in adequate amounts, making supplements a necessity.

Signs of micronutrient deficiencies

You will notice some obvious signs that reflect a micronutrient deficiency. The difficult part, however, is identifying which nutrient your plant lacks in. You can read our article on diagnosing nutrient deficiencies to understand things better. Here are some common signs that you will notice:

• Chlorosis
• Loss of turgor
• Leaf deformation and discoloration
• Stunted growth, reduced internode length
• Leaf wilting

You can use soil meters and test kits to diagnose a micronutrient deficiency. Your knowledge about the type of soil you are growing your plants in will help you nip nutrient deficiencies in the bud by simply using one of our supplements from the very beginning. Our learning center has more information on nutrients and pH to help you become a better grower and make the most out of your gardening experience.