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The Root of the Matter
| "When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of just
hacking at the leaves." |
| Anthony D'Angelo |
Soil Facts - It's What We Don't See That Counts
The goal of any grower is to have a plant or tree as healthy as possible and have it produce numerous blooms to either enjoy or profit from, such as in commercial produce. Before we can expect this the optimum production from the top of the plant, we must pay close attention to the bottom of the plant. Specifically the roots, and the soil in which they grow.
THE ROOT SYSTEM:
The root system of any plant has two main functions. Anchoring roots serve as the stabilizing force for the plant. It is the foundation upon which rests the weight of the top growth. It's strength must be firm enough to resist the forces of nature for it's natural locality. That is why palm trees have an entirely different root structure to resist hurricane force winds than do apple trees.The second main function of the root system is to extract air, water and nutrients from the soil that will provide energy for top growth. When a young tree is brought in from a nursery, its roots are small, and can only support a few tender shoots until the many feeder roots necessary to support a larger plant are developed.
This is why in the early stages of a plants growth it is extremely important that it get enough water and nutrients until it is able to develop a strong root system. Since roots will take the path of least resistance, they can easily be directed deeper by making the soil more inviting at deeper levels. The hole you dig at planting time provides the vehicle for good root growth. The texture of the soil must be improved to a depth of recommended by the nursery supplying the plant.
In the early stages of the plants growth it is recommended that you over water slightly. This will push your fertilizers deep into the soil and encourage plants to move in that direction. In the hot weather months it is especially important to keep the soil surface moist and cool as much as possible.
SOIL CONDITIONS:
What goes on above ground level is largely dictated by what goes on below ground level. Whether the plant thrives or merely survives depends upon the conditions its roots encounter in the soil. Successful growers of any type of plant grow healthy, vigorous root systems. A root system that is healthy and aggressive will grow a top growth with abundant blooms.Don't compromise on the basic components of soil building: Texture, Nutrients, Water and pH. SOIL TEXTURE To give the root system its ultimate environment, we must create a porous soil that holds moisture, air, and a balanced amount of nutrients to promote good root growth without damaging delicate root hairs.
Soils of good texture must be made and unfortunately the best amendments, such as compost, aged manures and redwood forest mulch, must be purchased. We call them amendments because they should not be used to the exclusion of your native soil - a 50/50 blend of native soil and amendments is good. Native soil contains important micro-organisms such as bacteria, algae, fungi and the all important earthworms. These organisms are vital to the decomposition of the amendments you will supply.
Organisms abound in an organically rich soil and break it down into a form of food the plant roots can absorb easily. The addition of organic material is perhaps the most important ingredient in healthy root development. It lightens the texture of the soil, providing a growing medium which is ideal for all plants. Loose soil allows water to pass through the soil and across the roots, versus roots standing in water that cannot drain properly.
Organic particles will retain moisture and nutrients for a continual food supply to the roots. In the process of taking up nutrients, roots also need oxygen. That is why although it is recommended to deep water, you don't want to continually over water your plants. All plants, young and old, need oxygen as much as they need water. When you continually over water you are literally drowning your roots.
If the soil is too compacted, or has too high a clay content, the transfer of oxygen to the roots is slow and the roots cannot take up the nutrients as readily.
NUTRIENTS AND WATER
Nutrients and water should be considered as one. Without adequate water, the presence of nutrients does no good; if you fail to feed regularly, water alone cannot sustain the health and vigor you desire in your plant or tree. The term nutrients means not only a balance of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium (N-P-K), but also the secondary and trace elements required by all plants. These include calcium, magnesium, sulfur, iron, zinc, copper, cobalt, boron and others.Some nutrients are available in soil, but most should be added to insure adequate supply for vigorous growth. These nutrients are the products we supply on a monthly basis. In order for them to work properly, the soil must be in a receptive condition - light in texture with good moisture and air supply. When you add an organic fertilizer to the soil, it must be broken down into a form that is readily available to the plant. Soil micro-organisms do this for us, providing a slow release of nutrients to the plant.
Chemical fertilizers are man-made, and are generally a quicker (more soluble) source of food - usable almost instantly by the plant. Regardless of the source, nutrients are taken up by the roots from the soil. Most of the essential nutrients are translocated within the plant tissue: that is, they are moved within the upper growth rather easily from an area in which they are no longer critical, to an area of new growth. This is particularly true of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and magnesium.
Therefore, the signs of deficiency of these materials occur on old foliage. In contrast, iron is not translocated, and if deficient, the new foliage becomes yellow first. If your soil has a high calcium content it can render magnesium useless. If this is the case ask your nursery or local county agent what is the best method for amending this situation in your soils.
There is usually enough iron in our soil, but this element more than any other is available to the roots only if the soil has the correct acidity. Many growers of vigorous plants will add a chelated form of iron on a regular basis that ensures healthy, green foliage.
ALL IMPORTANT SOIL pH
What do we mean by acidity? We mean the pH of your soil - the last, but not the least important consideration in soil building. Without becoming technical, "pH" is the measure of soil acidity or alkalinity. pH is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with 7.0 being neutral. Acid soils register below 7.0, alkaline soils above 7.0. The soil pH has a direct effect on the ability of plant root cells to absorb both nutrients and water from the soil.All plants have ideal ranges for pH. It is best to check with your nursery for recommended levels and adjust accordingly. Soil pH can be tested using several of our pH meters located in the measurement section of our catalog. At certain levels of pH nutrient availability can be seriously affected or in extreme cases unusable.
For example when pH falls below 6.5, phosphorus begins to become unusable by plant roots. At 6.0 it is almost totally lost to the plant. In addition, Nitrogen, potassium, calcium and magnesium will decline in their effectiveness below 6.0. but not to the same extreme.
When pH levels climb above 6.5, iron and manganese begin to become locked up and unavailable; above 7.0 boron, copper and zinc begin their decline. It is clear then, that are certain times in a plants development and growth that different pH levels are going to affect it's growth.
That is why it is so important to know what the levels of nutrients are available in the plant so that if adjustments are made to the soil, the plant won't become seriously affected. There are several instruments available on the market to test the levels of Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium, or a local soil lab or county agents have the facilities to check these levels of not only the soil but also the presence of these element in the tissues of the plants.
To be on the safe side it is generally recommended that most plants stay in a range of 6.4 - 7.0 which is where the greatest degree of all nutrients combined. Soils west of the Mississippi tend to be alkaline and require annual additions of soil sulfur to lower the pH. Eastern soils are more acidic and require addition of lime to raise the pH.
Check with your county extension to determine the conditions in your area, and apply the necessary products once or twice a year according to their instruction. County extension agents are also a good source for recommendations on how to improve your local soil to grow the healthy type of plant you desire.
Understanding and utilizing the knowledge of what a plant requires for vigorous, healthy growth below the soil surface will reward you with a higher appreciation of the results you witness above the ground. Soil building is not just important, it is the root of the matter.
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