Plant nutrition explained for successful growing
A healthy plant needs much more than just sun and water. To grow, flower and bear tasty fruit, it requires complete and balanced nutrition. This means providing essential nutrients at the right time and in the right proportions.
Although it may seem like a complex subject, understanding plant nutrition is not just for experts.
If you grow your own plants, knowing the basic functions of nutrients will help you improve your harvests, prevent problems and enjoy the process more.
In this article, we explain in simple terms what macro and micronutrients are, how they are classified and what role each one plays in the life of your plants. We also give you some tips on how to provide these elements in a balanced way without complicating things.
What nutrients are essential for plants?
Plants need to absorb a series of chemical elements to complete their life cycle. These are called essential nutrients because, without them, they would not be able to develop properly or produce flowers, fruits or seeds.
These nutrients are divided into three main groups, depending on the amount the plant needs:
1. Primary macronutrients
Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These are the most sought-after nutrients and are involved in key processes such as vegetative growth, flowering and fruit formation.
2. Secondary macronutrients
Calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S). Although required in smaller quantities than the above, they are still essential for maintaining a healthy and resistant plant.
3. Micronutrients or trace elements
Iron (Fe), boron (B), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), chlorine (Cl) and nickel (Ni). These are needed in very small quantities but are essential for the development of your plant.
As you can imagine, balanced nutrition is not just about providing the main macronutrients. It is equally important to ensure that secondary and micronutrients, which are key to metabolic processes, photosynthesis and internal nutrient transport, are not lacking.
Functions of essential nutrients in plants
Primary macronutrients
These are the elements that plants require in the greatest quantities. They are involved in basic processes such as growth and the production of leaves, flowers and fruits.
Nitrogen
It’s essential for vegetative development. It supports the formation of green leaves, strong stems and rapid growth. A plant with nitrogen deficiency usually has yellowish leaves and slow development.
Atami’s choice: All Atami base nutrients contain nitrogen, but if you are looking for a particularly rich and 100% organic option, VGN 5-2-2 is an excellent choice. B’cuzz base fertilisers, for both coco and soil, also provide a high nitrogen content.
Phosphorus
Stimulates root development, flowering and fruit ripening. It is especially important in the early stages of cultivation and during the transition to flowering.
Atami’s choice: ATA Rootfast is ideal for providing phosphorus during the rooting phase, and Bloombastic or ATA PK 13-14 are ideal supplements for enhancing flowering.
Potassium
Improves plant resistance to stress, regulates water balance and enhances fruit quality: flavour, size and aroma. It also strengthens stems and helps activate enzymes.
Atami’s choice: To provide potassium during flowering, Rokzbastic or B’cuzz Blossom Builder are concentrated and effective options. The base nutrients also contain a balanced proportion of potassium.
Secondary macronutrients
Although needed in smaller quantities than the above, they are equally essential for balanced nutrition.
Calcium
Essential for the formation of cell walls. Helps maintain plant structure and resistance to pests and diseases. Calcium deficiencies can cause necrosis in young shoots or fruit deformation.
Atami’s choice: To ensure a good source of calcium, we recommend ATA Calmag (with calcium, magnesium and iron) or VGN Calmag (100% organic and nitrogen-free, also ideal for supplementation during flowering).
Magnesium
It’s the central atom of the chlorophyll molecule, making it essential for photosynthesis. It is also involved in energy transport. Its deficiency usually manifests as chlorosis (yellowing) between veins.
Atami’s choice: ATA Calmag and VGN Calmag provide magnesium in the right proportions. They are especially recommended for demanding crops or crops grown with soft/osmotised water.
Sulfur
It participates in the production of amino acids, proteins and enzymes. It also enhances the aroma and flavour of some plants. Sulphur deficiency can resemble nitrogen deficiency, but it first affects young leaves.
Atami’s choice: Although there is no specific product containing only sulphur, Atami’s base fertilisers contain sulphur in their balanced formulation. In organic crops, worm humus, such as Worm Delight, is also a natural source of sulphur.
Micronutrients
These are required in very small quantities, but their role is essential in biochemical and enzymatic functions.
Iron
Essential for chlorophyll synthesis and cellular respiration. Its deficiency causes chlorosis between the veins, especially in new leaves.
Atami’s choice: ATA CALMAG and B’cuzz Booster Uni contain chelated iron that is available to plants. Additives such as Bloombastic and Rokzbastic are also rich in this essential element.
Boron
Supports pollen formation, new tissue growth and sugar transport. A deficiency can affect flowering and cause malformations in leaves and shoots.
Copper
It participates in photosynthesis and lignification of tissues (strengthening of stems). Plants deficient in copper may show small leaves, chlorosis and loss of turgidity.
Zinc
Manganese
Molybdenum
Nickel
Other important micronutrients such as zinc, manganese, molybdenum and nickel also contribute to plant metabolism and overall balance, although deficiencies are less common in well-managed crops.
Although plants only need a pinch of these elements, which is why they are called trace elements, they are just as important as the others.
Atami’s choice: Atami’s base fertilisers already include all the essential micronutrients, such as boron, zinc and manganese.
If you use a good substrate and apply any of our base nutrients, such as those in the ATA or B’cuzz range, your plants will have everything they need. No complications. Only in very specific cases may an extra supplement be necessary, but normally they will not need anything else.
Conclusions
Now you know, plants do not need magic, just the right balance of nutrients.
Every element, from the best known such as nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus, to the more discreet ones such as zinc and molybdenum, has its own function. Some help plants to grow. Others help them to flower. But all of them help to keep your plants’ metabolic functions running at full speed.
And although it may sound complex, it doesn’t have to be.
Knowing what each nutrient provides and when your plant needs it is like understanding its language. You don’t need to be an expert, but knowing more about plant nutrition gives you another tool in your arsenal to grow better.
That’s why at Atami we formulate products that make it easy: complete nutrients, balanced cultivation tables… everything designed so that your plants have everything they need, without you having to do anything more than mix and water.
Because when there is balance, you can see it.
In the colour of the leaves, in the yield, in the taste…
Growing well means understanding that plant nutrition is not just about quantity, but also about quality. And if you surround yourself with good allies, it’s much easier to achieve.
