20160518AN.jpgWhen scientists first started studying how minerals affected plant growth back in the 1940s and 1950s, they discovered that the presence of phosphorus (P) in the soil was necessary to stimulate root development after a plant was divided or transplanted. In no time, fertilizer suppliers began offering fertilizer extra rich in phosphorus to stimulate rooting, selling their product under names like starter fertilizer, plant starter, transplant fertilizer, and booster fertilizer.

Since big numbers impress consumers, most chose to offer a 10-52-10 formulation. Yes, that’s 52 % phosphorus!

However further studies showed that large quantities of phosphorous were not necessary for rooting. Yes, the soil must contain a small amount of phosphorus in order to stimulate rooting… but that’s also true of any other nutrient. If the soil totally lacks nitrogen, zinc or iron, that too will hamper rooting. In fact, plants actually root poorly in soils excessively rich in phosphorous.

After the “High Phosphorous” Bubble Burst

Do you think that fertilizer suppliers immediately withdrew their starter fertilizers from the market once they were proven useless? Of course not! They continue to sell and promote 10-52-10 starter fertilizers to this day, even though they are fully aware they are useless or even harmful.

You’re far more likely to kill plant roots with 10-52-10 fertilizer than to stimulate their growth. In fact, modern studies show there is generally no need to add phosphorous to stimulate rooting in most home garden situations, since phosphorous is generally abundant in flowerbeds, lawns, and vegetable gardens. If any element necessary for rooting is lacking, it’s far more likely to be nitrogen than phosphorous.

How to Gently Stimulate Root Growth

Of course, no harm comes from adding compost or fertilizer that is fairly low in phosphorus at planting time. An all-purpose organic fertilizer like 4-4-4 or 5-3-2 would be quite adequate. But there is no need to use 10-52-10!

If you do want to stimulate good rooting, try adding mycorrhizal fungi to the soil if you suspect they are lacking. They make excellent root stimulators! But adding fertilizer extra rich in phosphorus (over 14%) is more likely to delay rooting than to encourage it!

In addition, the widespread use of phosphorous-rich fertilizers is a major cause of water pollution. Since no plant can possibly absorb 52% phosphorus, where else is the excess expected to go if not into the environment?

Disposing of Starter Fertilizer

What to do with the starter fertilizer you have on hand?

Dumping it in the trash is not the solution: depending on how trash is handled locally, that could result in even worse pollution. The environmentally friendly thing to do is to continue to use your starter fertilizer, but to dilute it. At a quarter of the recommended dose or less, it becomes the equivalent of an all-purpose fertilizer you could legitimately and safely use on flowerbeds, lawns, houseplants, etc.

5 comments on “The Myth of Starter Fertilizers

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  4. This is interesting! I grow roses and belong to a local society,and we have had several speakers,from companies, and consulting Rosecrans recommend super phosphate when planting roses! Is this the same as starter fertilizer? Do I need to back off using it?

    • The same fertilizer (10-52-10) is also used as a “bloom booster”. It isn’t really superphosphate (0-45-0), but does contain superphosphate. Again, plants need some phosphate to bloom, but 52% is an enormous exaggeration. Roses, since you mention them, do best in association with mycorrhizal fungi. 10-52-10 fertilizer, used as directed on the product’s label, will kill beneficial fungi and generally upset the microbial balance in the soil. It is a really bad product for plants that I’d suggest using only when well diluted.

      Here’s a text you might want to read: https://puyallup.wsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/403/2015/03/phosphate-2.pdf

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