New problem with liquid fertilizers

[Hans J]

Hi all ,

Before some days I would buy new fertilizer for my winter growing bulbs plants …
Normally I use fertilizer for Tomato plants ( because the high part of Kaliumoxid ) the formula was
6 + 5 + 9 (NPK)

Now I saw in the garden center that they have changed the products ….the former Tomato fertilizer is named now Bio Vegetable fertilizer …all parts are organic …and the formula is now 3 + 0 + 5 ( these means without Phosphate )
Now my question : Has anybody here experience  with such a fertilizer ?
In last winter I have used a fertilizer  ( granules ) 8 + 3 + 10 …the formula was well …but I have made those granules on the surface and so I got mould after watering ( I have now removed this part and
replaced with quartz ) …so for this reason I prefer a liquid fertilizer

It seems difficult to find a fertilizer with a high Kalium part …maybe there are new laws ( in Germany or EU) ?

Has anybody ( maybe a member from Germany ) a suggestion for me ?

By my search for a new fertilizer I came across to a new typ :
Calciumdünger (15 % CaO, 0,5 % Mn und 0,5 % Zn )
Any expieriences ?

Thank you in advance
Hans

[Hannelore]

Hello Hans,

from my experience (and having been a teacher for chemistry for more than 40 years) you should consider, that phosphate does not stay solved for a longer time, that's why I prefer cristals which are solved freshly just before using (f.i. Mairol Blühkristalle 6+20+30(+2)). The second point is, that calcium doesn't stay in liquid at all; most producers of fertilizers count on the fact that you use normal drinking water to mix, so the plants are provided with Calcium automatically (absolutely necessary for Citrus).

But if you do wish something liquid you can order any combination at www.green24.de.

As for me, on recommendation of specialist in the German Herbaceous Perennial Society (GDS), I do not fertilize my baby bulbs at special intervalls, but use always a light liquid (1/4 concentration) of Mairol Universal Dünger (Cristals) 14+12+14(+2) for watering.

Best wishes
Hannelore

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hi Hans,
I know a lot of your winter growing bulbs are from South Africa. Many soils there have very low levels of phosphates (P) so using a fertiliser with little or no P should be Ok for these bulbs. The well - known South African bulb grower Gordon Summerfield recommends to use either a phosphate-free fertiliser (so O% P) or a low P one. The one I happen to use has NPK of 13 - 5 - 20 and this has proved satisfactory over many years. (Specifically it is one of the Peters Excel professional range. Don't know what I shall do when it has gone because I obtained this while working. Now I'm retired I don't have the same opportunities!). It comes as a soluble powder and I make fresh solution each time.

[Hans J]

Hello Hannelore ,

many thanks for your interesting answer !

That’s fine to get a answer from a professional teacher of chemistry

I did not know that Phosphate do not stay for longer time - good to know

For my normal bulbs I use mostly Phostrogen ( 14 - 4- 22 ) - that’s also  cristals ...the problem for me is that those cristals are very hygroscopic ...after short time when I have opened the bag the getting more and more wet
I suppose you have a similar problem with Mairol Blühkristalle ?
Do you have a advice for me ?

I try always to water my plants only with rain water ...the problem is that we have not enough rain ...and it is very hot here !!!

Thank you for the link to the "green.24" website ...very interesting !

In former times I was also a member in the "Deutsche Staudengesellschaft" ...

For my seedlings I use a weak solution of Substral ( 6-6-7 )

Best wishes from Baden
Hans

[Hans J]

Hi Paul ,

many thanks for your answer to my questions .

So my memory was right with the low level of Phosphates ...I know I have it read anywhere ....

After some search I have found this fertilizer (Peters Excel 13-5-20 ) available here in Germany ...the only problem what comes in my mind is that those fertilizer are very hygroscopic ( I have this problem with Phostrogen )

Do you have any advices about storing when the bag is opened ?

All the best for a happy retire time
Hans

[Hannelore]

Hello Hans,

For my normal bulbs I use mostly Phostrogen ( 14 - 4- 22 ) - that’s also  cristals ...the problem for me is that those cristals are very hygroscopic ...after short time when I have opened the bag the getting more and more wet
I suppose you have a similar problem with Mairol Blühkristalle ?
Do you have a advice for me ?

There's no problem with Mairol. It's not in a bag but in a well closing plastic bottle.

If you wish to keep something dry, you should buy silica gel (Trockenperlen); you can regenerate them in an oven very often. Add the pearls in closed tea bags to the fertilizer and keep all in a well closing plastic box. The silica gel is orange, when fresh, and becomes green when saturated.   

Best wishes
Hannelore

[Hans J]

Hello Hannelore ,

thanks for your quick answer 

Good to know with Mairol !

Ooops ...I have a box with Silica Gel here ....still orange 
and many bags ...

Best wishes
Hans

[Paul Cumbleton]

Two more ways to store hygroscopic fertilisers: In a tightly sealed bag in a fridge (or even freezer) - they stay dry for a much longer time than otherwise. Or you can buy those vacuum bags used for storing clothes that you suck all the air out of, and keep your bagged fertiliser in them. Keeps them dry almost forever! But even if they do get wet, using wet fertiliser isn't too much of a problem as long as they are stored in waterproof bags or containers. It's just like having a concentrated stock solution that you can dilute. Or put the wet crystals on top of a warm boiler to dry out.

Cheers
Paul

[Hans J]

Many thanks Paul 

I had a similar idea to made small portions of fertilizer in small plastic bags ...fridge is a good choice !

Today I have controlled my Phostrogen packs ( two bags with each 800gr) the bags are closed ...so the cristal are perfect dry .

Do you remember how many gramm of your fertilizer (Peters Excel 13-5-20 ) you have used for 10 Liter water ?

Thanks
Hans

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hans, I usually use 1 gramme per litre of water, so 10 grammes for 10 litres

Paul

[Hans J]

Thanks for the quick answer Paul ,

I have used for my Phostrogen 7 gramm for 10 Liter ...so I have to add a little more

Thanks Hans

[Janis Ruksans]

Hans, I usually use 1 gramme per litre of water, so 10 grammes for 10 litres

Paul

I use 20 g per litre water. Works very well. In spring crystalon with higher N level, in AUTUMN WITH MINIMAL N LEVEL BUT HIGH IN K AND P.

[Hans J]

Many thanks Janis 

It seems I have used not enough fertilizer ...

Sorry ...but I cannot find  Crystalon fertilizer products ....

Hans

[Paul Cumbleton]

Hi Janis,
Are you sure you meant 20g PER LITRE?? - or did you mean 20g per 10 litre of water?
20g per litre would be extraordinarily strong (20x what I use!) unless the actual amount of NPK in your fetiliser is very low to start with? Could you tell us what NPK your fertilisers have?

I chose the rate I use because the manufacturers recommendations say to use somewhere between half a gram per litre up to 2g per litre. As South African bulbs do not seem to like too much fertiliser I went for a middle value.

Paul

[angie]

Thanks Hans for asking this question, think I have been using to much fertiliser so will adjust my feed.

Angie 😀