Over-pampering

>>
Date: Thu, 27 May 1999 14:58:13 -0400
From: lowery@teamzeon.com

Has anyone ever given any thought to the results of over-pampering a plant?
I remember reading a passage in "The Well-Tended Perennial Garden" about
this topic.  The author says that one of the biggest mistakes that
gardeners make is to "overfertilize" their gardens.<<

Excellent point, Val.  I certainly agree.  Overfertilization, particulary 
with nitrogen can be quite damaging to plants.  Excess nitrogen causes 
excessive vegetative growth.  This usually comes at the expense of flowering 
as the plants put most of their energy toward growing leaves and stems.  Such 
plants get too tall, can flop over, become crowded, etc., etc.  And,  most 
importantly, they are more vulnerable to attack by insects and diseases.

>>Barb asked:  Don't bugs, insects, whatever, prefer the healthiest 
plants/trees/shrubs on the block?  In other words -- why go for hamburger 
when you can have Prime Rib? <<

Actually, insect and disease organisms do not have very discriminating 
tastes.  They will eat hamburger, prime rib, liver, meatloaf, 
hamhocks...whatever you put on their plates.    But many pests are most 
attracted to new, succulent growth.  And new succulent growth is exactly what 
excess nitrogen fertilizer promotes.  

The key point here is that healthy plants are not only better able to resist, 
but also to withstand damage from disease and insects.  Just like healthy 
people are, they are less vulnerable to attack, and if attacked are better 
able to cope and recover. 

And to be healthy, plants need adequate, but not excessive, intake of 
nutrients.  

So, taking care of plants is, indeed, like parenting.  We need to nurture 
them, feed them, love them.  But it is bad to pamper, overfeed and spoil 
them.  

--Janis



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