Plant nutritional intake through roots?

Hello,
I have a question about what plants will take up in the way of nutrients that are made available and what excess's may either sit in soil or plant does not have the capability to use?
I had a conversation with someone and they seemed to think that all plants make up is the same from Cactus - Tropical, in the sense that they all use nutrients and water-in take the same?
I am not a Horticulturist or Botanist and I was not sure where to get material to find out what is an actual scientific fact in this queary.
It got me thinking and just wanted to check for my own knowledge.
Thanks for any assistance.
CR

 

No, different types have different needs - hence the different products on the market labeled for specific groups of garden plants.

 

You will find information what nutrients are needed in the soil for the optimum plant growth here.