Fertilizing Bedding Plants Nutritional Problems Bedding plants are subject to the same nutrient disorders as other plants. Late in production, particularly in cell paks, plants may develop nitrogen deficiency symptoms as the earliest indication of not enough fertilizer. Injury to bedding plants from excess salts seems to be most common shortly after transplanting.
Seedlings are much less tolerant of salinity than established, rapidly growing plants.
Excessive drying, poor drainage, and uneven watering are factors which can aggravate the problem. It is difficult to diagnose a soluble salts problem by symptoms alone. Often nutrient deficiencies and root diseases cause the same symptoms. Therefore a soil test is advisable. A UMass soil test reading of 100 or greater is excessive during the early stages of growth is a cause for concern.