Multipurpose Fertiliser Sticks

Multipurpose Fertiliser Sticks are my favourites now. So far, I've had a good success rate using fertilizer sticks to nourish my plants. They're convenient, providing major nutrients that promote healthy growth and vibrant blooms in my garden. Multipurpose fertiliser sticks are also called (fertiliser spikes or stakes in the market. They are solid, pre-quantified fertiliser formulations. If homemade fertilisers are made from organic manures and beneficial microbes, they act as biological fertilisers. Adding manures and fertilisers in the form of fertiliser sticks has become convenient and easier for home gardeners.

If you read the packaging label, you can understand that fertiliser sticks are inorganic manures, synthetic fertilisers, or inorganic fertilizers, but not straight fertilisers as they supply more than one nutrient at a time. These sticks are topdress fertilisers that have multifunctionality with similar effects as that of calcium ammonium nitrate fertilizer, ammonium urea, dap fertilizer use, superphosphate, and muriate of potash.

Fig. Inserting Fertiliser Sticks

Contents

• Functionality of Multipurpose Fertiliser Sticks

• Fertiliser Use of Multipurpose Fertiliser Sticks

• How To Use Multipurpose Fertiliser Sticks

• Care Taken While Using Multipurpose Fertiliser Sticks

• Points to Remember

• Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)

Functionality of Fertiliser Stcks

Multipurpose fertilizer sticks are a great boon to home gardeners like myself, as well as for working women who would like to keep their home gardens and potted plants wholesome and beautiful. They contain a balanced mixture of essential macro and micronutrients that garden plants need for proper healthy growth. Fertiliser sticks can act in many ways as follows:

Inorganic Fertiliser, Inorganic Manure, or Synthetic Fertiliser: 

Fertiliser sticks are also Inorganic fertilisers as they are derived from synthetic compounds and contain essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. They are water-soluble and readily available for plant uptake.

Straight Fertiliser: 

Fertiliser sticks are straight fertilisers as they contain nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium, allowing for nutrient supplementation to garden plants.

Compound Fertiliser: 

Fertiliser sticks are compound fertilisers as they contain blends of two or more essential nutrients for plant growth, typically nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, in varying ratios. Fertiliser sticks offer balanced nutrition to garden Plants. 

Agricultural Fertiliser or Fertiliser for Farming: 

Fertiliser sticks perform as an agricultural fertiliser, utilized to supplement soil nutrients and sustainably enhance crop productivity in potted tomato plants. Annuals, perennials, and other vegetable plants. So fertiliser sticks are fertilisers for urban farming.

Topdress Fertiliser: 

Fertiliser sticks are planted directly into the soil around growing plants. So, supplemental nutrients will be available during the growing season, targeting specific plant needs and promoting healthy growth without disturbing the soil or crop roots, so they act as top-dress fertilisers.

Urea Fertiliser: 

Urea fertiliser is a commonly used nitrogen-based fertiliser in agriculture and gardening. It contains about 46% nitrogen. Fertiliser sticks also contain nitrogen to fulfil the functionality of urea fertiliser.

Ammonium Nitrate Fertiliser or Ammonium Urea: 

Fertiliser sticks can act as ammonium nitrate fertiliser or ammonium urea as they are valued for their high nitrogen content, which promotes vigorous plant growth and improved foliage look.

Superphosphate Fertiliser: 

Fertiliser sticks can fulfil the purpose of superphosphate as it is rich in phosphorus and is commonly used to enhance root development and overall plant growth in home gardens.

DAP Fertiliser Use: 

Diammonium phosphate (DAP) is a common phosphorus-based fertiliser containing 18% nitrogen and 46% phosphorus pentoxide, Fertiliser sticks can be DAP alternatives in gardening.

Muriate of Potash: 

Fertiliser sticks partly have muriate of potash or potassium chloride. They supplement potassium for plant growth, disease resistance and stress resistance. 

Fig. Inserting Fertiliser Sticks

Fertiliser Use of Multipurpose Fertiliser Sticks

• They are slow-release plant fertilisers for pot plants. 
• They are easy and mess-free, unlike traditional fertilizers.
• They promote lush green foliage as they contain rich nutrients for healthier and greener plants. 
• They are perfect to use for urban home and roof gardeners
• They are suitable for flowering, fruit and vegetable plants.
• These fertilisers are a convenient way for home gardeners to provide essential nutrients for any potted indoor/outdoor plant.
• They are available as Natural Plant food sticks.
• Each stick has three macronutrients Nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and Potassium (K).
• The sticks allow nutrients to be gradually released into the rooting medium, depending on the amount of watering. 
• These sticks have to be replenished every 45-60 days. 
• There is no need for any other fertilizer or vermicompost to use after you use GreenStix.

The following table shows various elements and their role in the growth and development of garden plants:

Fertiliser Sticks
Nutrient	Component of- /Function
Nitrogen	Proteins & nucleic acids.
Phosphorus	Energy transfer and protein metabolism.
Potassium	Osmotic and ionic regulation. Cofactor or activator for enzymes
Calcium	Cell division & cell wall material
Magnesium	Component of chlorophyll
Sulfur	Plant cell energetics
Iron	Fe enzymes, cytochromes, ferredoxins
Zinc	Dehydrogenases, and peptidases
Manganese	Photolysis of water, arginase and phosphotransferase.
Copper	Cytochrome oxidize, ascorbic acid oxidase, and laccase.
Boron	Involved in carbohydrate metabolism and synthesis of cell wall components.
Molybdenum	Nitrate reductase & nitrogenase (N2 fixation enzyme)
Chlorine	Photolysis of water & osmoregulation in saline soils.

Table: Plant nutrients and their role

How to Use Multipurpose Fertiliser Sticks?

• Lightly water the soil or rooting medium in the pot.
• Determine the number of sticks needed according to the table given on the package.
• Place one stick or many as per requirement around the plant, pushing them completely into the soil.
• Replenish the sticks every 45-60 days as per the guidelines or plant conditions

Care Taken While Using Multipurpose Fertiliser Sticks

• Follow the instructions on the packaging for the purpose of application rates and frequency. 
• Avoid over-fertilizing, as it is harmful to plants.
• Periodically test the soil in the pots to determine its nutrient content and adjust your fertilization accordingly.

Fig. Fertiliser Sticks

Conclusion

As per my knowledge and experience, I can conclude that Multipurpose fertilizer sticks (Greenstix) offer a convenient and controlled way to supply essential nutrients to potted plants. They promote healthy growth through a very simple fertilisation process. Don't forget to apply them according to the manufacturer's instructions to achieve success in maintaining a vibrant garden around your home.

Points to Remember

1. Fertiliser sticks (fertiliser spikes or stakes) are solid, pre-quantified fertiliser formulations shaped like sticks or rods.

2. They can be inserted directly into the soil near the root zone, providing targeted nutrient delivery to plants.

3. Fertiliser sticks are tailored to specific plant needs, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potash.

4. They are convenient and easy to use, eliminating the need for measuring and mixing traditional fertilisers.

5. They offer slow-release nutrients over an extended period to reduce the frequency of fertiliser application.

6. Fertiliser sticks are suitable for potted plants, shrubs, trees, and other container-grown vegetables.

7. They prevent nutrient runoff and leaching losses and minimise environmental impact.

8. Some fertiliser stick formulations may also contain micronutrients and beneficial microbes.

9. Proper placement of fertiliser sticks is required to ensure optimal nutrient uptake and to prevent root damage.

10. Fertiliser sticks may not be suitable for all plants or growing conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers (FAQs)

Ques: What is stick fertiliser?

Ans: The fertiliser stick allows plant nutrients to be gradually dissolved in water and released into the soil. 

Ques: Do fertiliser sticks work?

Ans: Fertilizer sticks are one of the best tools for both the home gardener and the casual plant lover. They offer a direct way to guarantee your herbs and bushes continuously receive both macro and micro-nutrients they need for healthy growth and development.

Ques: How do you use Fertiliser sticks?

Ans: Identify the drip line that is directly under the outer circumference of the plant’s foliage. Insert the sticks into the soil around the drip line. After inserting the sticks, water the area profusely to help dissolve and absorb nutrients into the soil.

Ques: Are fertiliser spikes bad for plants?

Ans: The high concentration of chemical nutrients within the fertiliser stick may burn plants and attract more pests and diseases due to the disproportionate growth of foliage. 

Ques: Is it better to use fertilizer sticks or liquid for indoor plants?

Ans: Liquid fertilisers distribute the nutrients instantly and evenly throughout the soil. Fertiliser sticks release the nutrients slowly, but less evenly throughout soil.