Publication 430-100

The Basics of Fertilizer Calculations for

Greenhouse Crops
Joyce G. Latimer, Extension Specialist, Greenhouse Crops; Virginia Tech

Meeting the Plants Needs and nutrient analyses. A commercial fertilizer may
contain one or all of the essential elements but the
Fertilizers are designed to provide the elements percent of each will be listed on the fertilizer label.
necessary for plant growth. About 90% of the plant Micronutrients may or may not be included in the
weight is made up of water. The remaining mass formulation. If included they also will be listed in the
constitutes the plant dry weight, which is made up guaranteed analysis section on the fertilizer bag.
primarily of 17 elements that are required for plant
growth. Lets define some terms.
Complete fertilizers:
Essential nutrients are the 17 elements required for
proper plant growth and development. They are C, H, Nitrogen (N), Phosphorous (P), Potassium (K)
O, N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, B, Mo, Cl, Ni. complete fertilizers contain the three primary
macronutrients, N, P, and K, but in a variety of
Carbon (C), hydrogen (H), and oxygen (O) make proportions.
up 90% of the plant dry weight. These elements are
obtained from air or water and are not included in Numbers on the bag the three numbers on the
fertilizers. fertilizer package indicate the amounts of the three
macronutrients, N, P, K, in that order, on a percent
Fertilizers contain mineral elements that supply the weight basis.
essential nutrients for the growth of plants.
Example a 20-10-20 formulation of a water soluble
Macronutrients are those essential nutrients that fertilizer contains a guaranteed analysis of 20% actual
plants require in large amounts. They are N, P, and K, nitrogen, 10% the oxide form of phosphorus (P2O5) and
which are the primary macronutrients, and Ca, Mg, 20% the oxide form of potassium (K2O).
and S, which are the secondary macronutrients.

Micronutrients are those essential nutrients that Incomplete fertilizers:

plants require in small amounts. Specific nutrients incomplete fertilizers contain less
than all three of the primary macronutrients, e.g., 15-0-
Different plants may show different sensitivities to the 15 contains 15% N, no P and 15% K.
presence or absence of these nutrients, especially the
micronutrients, but they are all required for specific Customize the fertilizer program incomplete
plant functions. fertilizers can be purchased and mixed together in
the fertilizer stock tank to provide a more customized
fertilizer. Generally, this tank mix will include two to
Fertilizer Analysis eight different fertilizers. While customized mixing can
Water soluble, commercial fertilizers used in the be cost-effective for larger growers, it requires more
greenhouse come in a wide variety of formulations skill to properly formulate and use the tank mix.

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Produced by Communications and Marketing, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, 2015
Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of age, color, disability, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation,
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Virginia State University, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture cooperating. Edwin J. Jones, Director, Virginia Cooperative Extension, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg; Jewel E. Hairston, Administrator, 1890 Extension Program,
Virginia State, Petersburg.
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Fertilizer Injectors A 1:200 injector will deliver 200 gallons of dilute
fertilizer per gallon of stock solution. If we wanted
Fertilizer recommendations are generally given in to mix stock solutions for each of these injectors to
parts per million of nitrogen (ppm N) in the final deliver 200 ppm of nitrogen using the same fertilizer
solution being applied to the crop. Most growers formulation, the stock solution for the 1:200 injector
use fertilizer injectors for applying fertilizers to would have to be twice as concentrated as the one for
greenhouse crops (Fig 1). These devices inject a the 1:100 injector. Thus, the injector ratio determines
specific amount of concentrated fertilizer solution the concentration of the stock solution that is needed
(stock solution, Fig 1A) per increment of irrigation to apply a specific rate of fertilization.
water that passes through the injector (Fig 1B). An
important attribute of each fertilizer injector is the
injector ratio, which is defined as volumetric ratio of Checking the Calibration
stock solution to dilute fertilizer solution.
of a Fertilizer Injector
Injector ratio the volumetric ratio of stock solution Growers need to know the injector ratio in order to
to dilute fertilizer solution. prepare fertilizer stock solutions. Commercial injectors
range from 1:5 to 1:500, but most small growers
Example a 1:100 injector will deliver 100 gallons are using 1:16, 1:100 or 1:200. Injectors should be
of dilute fertilizer solution for each one gallon of calibrated monthly during the growing season. The
concentrated stock solution that is metered through injector ratios can change over time due to wear of
the injector. injector parts. Most injectors do not have calibration
adjustments. Therefore, it is necessary to periodically
check an injector to determine its actual ratio.
Adjustments to obtain a given fertilizer concentration

B
at delivery is done by adjusting the concentration of
the fertilizer stock solution. The following procedure
can be used to determine the actual injector ratio.

Obtain collection container You will need a

container for collecting the water metered through the
C injector, i.e., the dilute solution. This container should
have a capacity of 5 gallons or more, and should
be calibrated in gallons. The greater the container
capacity, the more accurate the determination of the
injector ratio.
A Obtain measuring cup Youll also need a smaller
container that is calibrated in fluid ounces. A 1-pint (16
ounce) measuring cup like those used for cooking is
satisfactory. A larger measuring cup may be necessary

D for injectors with a 1:16 ratio.

Measure stock solution Fill the measuring cup

near the top with water and place the dip tube (from
Figure 1. Fertilizer injectors draw fertilizer stock solution
the fertilizer injector) into the cup (Fig. 1C). Adjust
from the stock tank (A) and meter it out through the
the amount of water in the cup so that the water level
injector (B) at a specified ratio of stock to irrigation water
corresponds with the uppermost increment on the cup.
when the irrigation water is flowing. This specified ratio
makes up the injector ratio. Checking the calibration of Collect dilute solution Turn on the faucet and
a fertilizer injector involves measuring the amount of immediately begin collecting the water in the larger,
"stock" (C) taken up by the injector as a measured amount calibrated collection container (Fig. 1D). Adjust the
of irrigation water flows through the injector and is flow rate until it is approximately that which is used
collected in a calibrated container (D). for irrigating plants.

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Determine amounts Turn off the hose once you Checking the fertilizer EC. Another way to
collect 5 (or more) gallons in the large container or determine the output of your fertilizer injector is by
when you nearly deplete the water from the measuring measuring the electrical conductivity (EC) of the
cup, whichever comes first. Determine the amount of dilute fertilizer solution. You can draw a fertilizer
water depleted from the measuring cup and the amount sample and have it analyzed for the concentration of
collected in the large container. N by a reputable testing laboratory. Alternatively, you
can get a good estimate of the fertilizer concentration
Calculate injector ratio Use the following formula by measuring the EC of the solution yourself using
to compute the injector ratio: a portable EC meter (Fig. 2). Be sure to calibrate the
EC meter prior to each use and be sure to subtract the
Injector ratio = Gallons of water collected x EC of your clear water from the fertilizer reading.
128 ounces/gallon Compare the corrected value for the EC of your
Ounces of water depleted fertilizer solution to that listed on the fertilizer bag
from measuring cup for the ppm N you intended to be applying (Fig. 3).
Example 1. A grower used the procedure described During the crop cycle, especially for short-term crops
above for testing a fertilizer injector. Ten gallons of like bedding plants, you should measure the EC of
water were collected in a barrel, and 13 fluid ounces your fertilizer solution on a weekly basis to check that
were depleted from a measuring cup. What is the the injector is working properly.
injector ratio for this fertilizer injector?

1. List all the variables:

a. Gallons of water collected = 10

b. Ounces of water depleted from the measuring

cup = 13

2. Set up and solve the problem:

x = 10 gallons x 128 oz/gal

13 oz

= 1280
13 Figure 2. Portable electrical conductivity (EC) meters
can be used to measure the EC of the dilute fertilizer
= 98.46 (about 98) solution to verify that the injector is working within the
expected range. Compare the EC of the solution to that
3. Answer: the fertilizer injector ratio is recommended on the fertilizer bag (Fig. 3) or the fertilizer
approximately 1:98. label.

Figure 3. The fertilizer label presents the EC of

several concentrations of the diluted fertilizer.
Circled is the EC of 100 ppm N, EC=.65. For weekly
checks of injector accuracy, measure the EC of the
dilute fertilizer solution and subtract the EC of
your clear water and compare it to the EC given
on the bag.

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Fertilizer Stock Solution b. Injector ratio = 1:98; dilution factor = 98

Calculations c. Fertilizer analysis = 20-10-20 = 20% N

Growers must accurately determine the amount of d. Conversion constant: want to know number
fertilizer needed to mix stock solutions of fertilizers. of ounces of fertilizer to make 20 gallons of
Most of the manufacturers of commercial fertilizers concentrate = Use 75 as C
and fertilizer injectors have produced tables that
simplify this task. Information is also provided on 2. Set up and solve the problem:
fertilizer bags (Fig. 3). Without recourse to tables
x oz Fertilizer / gal
or bags, growers can use formulas to calculate the
amount of fertilizer needed. If you know the rate of = 200 ppm N x 98
fertilization (in ppm N) that you want to apply to the 20% N x 75
crop, the percentage of the nitrogen in the fertilizer,
and the injector ratio, then calculations are simplified = 19600
by the following formula: 1500

Amount of fertilizer to make 1 volume of stock = 13.1 oz 20-10-20 /gal

solution x oz Fertilizer / stock tank
Desired conc in ppm x Dilution factor
=
% of element in fertilizer x C = 13.1 oz/gal x 20 gal

where the dilution factor is the larger number of the = 262 oz

fertilizer injector ratio and the conversion constant
(C) is determined by the units in which you want to Or, divide by 16 oz/lb = 16 lb 6 oz of 20-10-20 for 20
measure the fertilizer: gal of stock solution

Unit Conversion constant (C) 3. Answer: add 16 lb 6 oz of 20-10-20 to the stock

solution bucket and fill to the 20 gallon mark.
Ounces per U.S. gallon 75
Pounds per U.S. gallon 1200 Example 3. By the 25-lb bag. Many growers do
Grams per liter 10 not have access to an accurate scale for weighing
fertilizers. Since most commercially formulated N-P-K
This formula allows you to easily calculate the
fertilizers are packaged in 25-pound bags, we can
amount of fertilizer needed to mix stock solutions.
easily determine how many gallons of stock solution
Generally, the calculations are based on the percentage
to mix up from one bag of fertilizer to apply 200 ppm
of nitrogen, but using this formula, you can make
N using a 1:98 injector:
up solutions for any given element. This formula
can be used with any fertilizer injector and any unit 1. Convert 25 pounds into the equivalent amount of
of measurement. Most growers in the United States ounces:
prefer ounces (or pounds) of fertilizer per U.S. gallon.
A conversion constant is also given for those who use 25 lbs/bag x 16 oz/lb = 400 oz/bag
the metric system.
2. Using the information in Example 2, we then divide
Example 2. You have a 1:98 fertilizer injector and a 400 oz/bag by 13.1 oz/gal to get the number of
fertilizer with an analysis of 20-10-20 (%N-%P2O5- gallons of stock we can prepare from a single bag of
%K2O). You want to apply a 200 ppm solution fertilizer:
of nitrogen at each watering. How many ounces 400 oz/bag 13.1 oz/gallon = 30.5 gal/ bag
of fertilizer would you have to weigh out to fill a
20-gallon stock tank with concentrate? 3. Thus, one 25-pound bag of 20-10-20 fertilizer will
make about 30 gallons of stock for a 200 ppm N
1. List all the variables: solution when using a 1:98 injector.
a. Desired concentration in ppm = 200 It is important to remember that the final volume of

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stock solution should be 30 gal. This means we add % K2O
the fertilizer first, and then add water (warm water %K =
1.2
works best) for a final volume of 30 gallons. Adding
the bag of fertilizer to 30 gallons of water will give us 20
=
1.2
more than 30 gallons of stock and thus a more dilute
stock solution than desired. Of course, you must make
sure that you have a storage tank (barrel or trash can) = 16.7% K in 20-10-20
large enough to accommodate your stock solution.
3. A
 nswer: 20-10-20 contains 4.3% elemental
Be sure to keep the stock solution dark to prevent
phosphorus and 16.7% elemental potassium.
nutrient degradation. Always verify that the fertilizer
you are preparing has sufficient solubility to dissolve The conversion rule is useful when we desire to fertilize
in the amount of water you intend to use for your stock with simple fertilizers such as potassium nitrate (13-
solution volume. Maximum solubility is listed on the 0-44). When plants are grown in media which contain
bag. For most soluble fertilizers, it ranges from about adequate levels of phosphorus (for example, from
2.5 to 4 lbs per gallon of water. a pre-plant addition of superphosphate), it is often
recommended that 200 ppm of N and K be applied at
each watering. We can achieve this fertilization program
Incomplete Fertilizer or using potassium nitrate and calcium nitrate (15.5-0-0).
Tank Mix Calculations We can use the formula previously given to calculate
We can also use these calculations to determine the ppm K if we first convert from the oxide to the elemental
content of other fertilizer components in our fertilizer form.
solution or we can develop a fertilizer solution based
on an element other than nitrogen. This is important Example 5. You have a 1:100 injector and want to
when using incomplete fertilizers to develop your use potassium nitrate (13-0-44) and calcium nitrate
own tank mixes or to supplement a complete fertilizer. (15.5-0-0) to supply 200 ppm of N and K with
When calculating ppm of P or K we must account for each watering. How many ounces of each fertilizer
the oxide form of the elements in the fertilizer. We can would you have to weigh out to make 1 gallon of
use the simple rhyming rule %K and %P equals 1.2 concentrate?
and 2.3 to convert from the oxide to the elemental
1. List all the variables to find out what is known and
forms for phosphorus and potassium, that is, from
unknown:
%P2O5 to %P and from %K2O to %K.
a. Desired concentration in ppm = 200 N and K
Example 4. You have a fertilizer with an analysis of b. Injector ratio = 1:100; dilution factor = 100
20-10-20. What is the percentage of phosphorus and
potassium in the elemental form? c. Fertilizer analyses = 13-0-44 and 15.5-0-0
d. Conversion constant: want to know number of
1. List all the variables to find out what is known ounces of each fertilizer to make one gallon of
and unknown: concentrate = Use 75 as C
a. Fertilizer analysis = 20-10-20 = 10% P2O5 and
20% K2O 2. First, convert % K2O to % K for potassium nitrate:

b. Conversion rule: %K and %P equals 1.2 and % K2O

2.3. %K =
1.2
2. Set up the problem: 44
=
% P2O5 1.2
%P =
2.3
= 36.7% K in 13-0-44
= 10
2.3 3. Potassium nitrate supplies both potassium and
nitrogen, whereas calcium nitrate supplies only
= 4.3% P in 20-10-20

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 nitrogen. Therefore, figure out how much 7. Answer: add 7.3 ounces of potassium nitrate and
potassium nitrate is needed to supply 200 ppm K: 11.1 ounces of calcium nitrate to a stock solution
bucket and fill to the 1 gallon mark. This will supply
200 ppm K x 100 200 ppm of N and K with each watering when using
x =
36.7% K x 75 a 1:100 injector.
20000
=
2752.5 Conclusion
= 7.27 oz 13-0-44 /gal With the aid of a hand-held calculator, you can easily
determine the proper amount of fertilizer for making
4. Next, figure out the ppm N supplied by the stock solutions. Remember, always recheck your
amount of potassium nitrate determined in step calculations to ensure they are correct: errors may be
3. Potassium nitrate supplies 36.7% elemental very costly! Better yet, have someone else check your
potassium and 13% elemental nitrogen. The ratio of calculations. Keep records of your calculations for
elemental potassium to elemental nitrogen remains future reference. Check the EC of the final fertilizer
the same, regardless of whether the fertilizer is in solution against that given on the bag or fertilizer
solid form or dissolved in water. This relationship label to verify that your calculations were correct
also holds true for other fertilizer salts. Therefore: (remember to subtract the EC of your clear water)
and monitor the EC of your diluted fertilizer solution
x ppm N = 13% N on a weekly basis during the crop cycle. Check the
calibration of your injector on a monthly basis during
x ppm N = 13% N
crop production or whenever you suspect a problem.
200 ppm K 36.7% K

36.7 x = 2600 Other Resources for Information

x = 2600 on Greenhouse Fertilization:
36.7 North Carolina State University Horticultural
Substrates Lab (includes links to publications listed
= 70.8 below and a PowerPoint presentation of the PourThru
Method of monitoring media fertility)
= about 71 ppm N supplied by www.ncsu.edu/project/hortsublab/
potassium nitrate
Alkalinity Control for Irrigation Water Used in
5. Since we desire 200 ppm N and potassium nitrate Greenhouses (NCSU)
supplies only 71 ppm N, we must make up the rest www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/hil/hil-558.html
of the nitrogen with calcium nitrate. Therefore:
Greenhouse Substrates and Fertilization (NCSU)
129 ppm N needed from www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/floriculture/plugs/
200 ppm N - 71 ppm N =
calcium nitrate ghsubfert.pdf
6. Lastly, determine the amount of calcium nitrate
Substrate pH and Water Quality
needed to supply 129 ppm N:
www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/floriculture/plugs/ph.pdf
129 ppm N x 100
x = Adapted from Fertilizer Calculations for
15.5% N x 75
Greenhouse Crops, Thomas H. Boyle, University of
12,900 Massachusetts Extension Service.
=
1162.5

= 11.1 oz 15.5-0-0 /gal

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