Plants get there nutrients from elements referred to as mineral salts. Mineral salts are water soluble. When water flows through the soil, the elements dissolve into it and are carried along. When plants absorb water, they are bound to be absorbing some mineral salts. However, the amount they absorb will vary widely, depending upon what has been deposited in the soil. Plants in the wild can compensate somewhat for a deficiency of these mineral salts, but they cannot do so indefinitely. Areas in which little is naturally added to the soil soon become desolate, having little plant life. That which they do have will be composed exclusively of those forms that have mastered the art of survival under the harshest conditions.

Unlike all other living things, plants do not simply consume material and extract energy from it. They are incapable of doing so. Instead, plants have evolved an entirely different method for assuring themselves of the "food" on which their growth is based. They manufacture it, they make their own. This process by which a plant produces its own food is called photosynthesis, and chlorophyll is the central element in the process. Whithout chlorophyll, it cannot be done.

Chlorophyll absorbs the rays of sunlight, and uses them in combination with water and carbon dioxide to generate glucose, the substance that fuels the growth of a plant. Carbon dioxide is an essential ingredient in the production of glucose. Oxygen is given off by a plant as a by-product fo this process.

Nitrogen- Influential in the production of leaves and in the growth of the stem.

Phosphorus- Needed in the development of flowers and fruits. Also encourages growth of healthy roots.

Calcium- Spurs root growth. Also facilitates a plant's absorption of potassium

Magnesium- A component of chlorophyll. Also active in the process of distributing
phosphorus throughout a plant.

Sulphur- Joins with phosphorus to heighten the effectiveness of that element. Also used in the production of energy.

Iron- Important in the production of chlorophyll within a plant.

Manganese- Aids a plant in the absorption of nitrogen.
Zinc- Necessary component of the energy transference process in a plant.
copper- Needed in the production of chlorophyll.

Sources of Nutrient Salts

Nitrogen

Potassium Nitrate. Sourse of both potassium and nitrogen. Very soluble, available, and keeps well.
Sodium Nitrate. Source only of nitrogen, since sodium is not required by plants. Inexensive, very soluble, stores well if kept in a tightly lidded container in a dry location.
Calcium nitrate. contains both calcium and nitrogen. Less easy to store. Should be used only when other preparations are unavailable.

Potassium

Potassium Sulfate. Very soluble, stores well. Should be your first choice.
Potassium Chloride. Can be used when potassium sulfate is not available, but can prove harmful if used for more than a few days since the chlorine in the mix makes it potentially harmful to plants.

Phosphorus

Treble Superphosphate. The best choice, although plain superphosphate is also acceptable. Treble superphosphate also supplies calcium. Both sources may contain impurities of trace elements. Superphosphate accidentally splashed on leaves will cause harmless white blotches to appear.

Magnesium

Magnesium Sulphate (Epsom salts). Inexpensive, dissolves readily in water, and stores well. The only fertilizer salt to be found in medicine cabinets adn on the shelves of drug stores.
Magnesium Nitrate. May also be used, but is more expensive.

Calcium

Calcium Sulphate. Both gypsum and plaster of Paris are composed of calcium sulphate. The plaster dissolves more readily.

Gypsum: A Valuable Input for Agriculture and Gardeners from Allotment Vegetable Growing

Iron

Ferrous sulphate, ferric chloride or ferric citrate. All prove acceptable as sources of iron. Ferrous sulphate and ferric chloride will dissolve in cold water, while ferric citrate will only dissolve in hot water. ferric citrate will remain in solution longer than the others and is also more stable at high pH than the others.

Manganese

Manganese Sulphate. The most commonly used source of manganese. Must be kept in a dry, tightly lidded container. Manganese chloride. A less common salt, can also be used.

cool thanks usefull info. a rep for your time

Sweet... Thanks bro. I just hope this can help some people out.

Interesting read.

So it said calcium comes from gypsum, does this mean I could just crumble up drywall and dissolve it? heh

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Yes...

Gypsum from Drywall Recycling - Byproduct of Drywall Recycling Process

This is some more information about the drywall...

DRYWALL

with phosphrous, what would be the benifits of boiling or soaking potatoes in water then using the water in the final weeks to up the ppm of phosphrous?

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