Content
- 1 What is Potassium Humate
- 2 Fertilizer composition Potassium humate
- 3 What is the difference between potassium humate and sodium humate?
- 4 Smell of potassium humate
- 5 What is good about potassium humate?
- 6 What is potassium humate used for?
- 7 Norm of potassium humate per liter of water
- 8 How to dilute potassium humate
- 9 How to feed with potassium humate
- 10 Precautions when working with potassium humate
- 11 Terms and conditions of storage
- 12 How can I replace potassium humate?
- 13 Conclusion
- 14 Reviews of Potassium Humate
Fertilizing with potassium humate can significantly accelerate the growth of green mass of vegetable, fruit, coniferous and other plants. Humates enrich the soil with useful substances and increase natural fertility. Therefore, it is especially important to use them on depleted soil - both in open ground and in greenhouses.
What is Potassium Humate
Potassium humate is an organic fertilizer that is naturally formed in the soil as a result of the decomposition of animal and plant organisms (foliage, stems, fruits, insects, worms and others). From a chemical point of view, it is an organic potassium salt of an unstable structure. This is not one substance, but a whole mixture of components of different structures.
Initially, humic acids are formed in the soil. They are the ones that give the soil its characteristic black color. But they are not used in their pure form - plants absorb salts well, not acids - potassium and sodium humates.To obtain these substances, acids are neutralized industrially with alkalis, for example, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide).
At the same time, humic acids themselves are not synthesized, but are taken from the soil - mainly from the following fractions and rocks:
- peat;
- brown coal;
- sapropel;
- leonardite.
The resulting product is crushed and sent to dry, and then packaged. There are several forms of release:
- Humate tablets are complex fertilizers, which, along with humins, also contain classical microelements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium);
in granules. For summer residents and farmers, fertilizer is sold in various packages (capacity from 10 g to 20 kg);
- liquid peat potassium humate.
The solution is added to the required amount of water according to the instructions.
Manufacturers produce several drugs:
- «Prompter" – Humate for universal purposes, which is produced in liquid form in containers of 250, 500 ml and 10 liters. The product helps drying plants that do not take root well after being transplanted to a new location.
- "Barrel and Four Buckets" – is available in bottles of various dosages, as well as in the form of tablets for use over a large area – both on a personal and on a farm.
- "Bood" – restores soil fertility, removes heavy metals from the soil, increases plant resistance.
- "Sakhalinsky" – a powerful growth stimulator, recommended for use in the Far East, Siberia and other regions with unfavorable climates.
Fertilizer composition Potassium humate
The composition of universal potassium humate includes the following components:
- humic acids – 80 g/l;
- nitrogen compounds – 20 g/l;
- potassium compounds – 5 g/l;
- phosphates – 2 g/l.
Microelements are present in insignificant amounts (total 0.02 g/l):
- iron;
- copper;
- boron;
- cobalt;
- zinc;
- manganese.
The color of the mixture is dark brown, brown or black. The acidity index (pH of the environment) is 6.8 (slightly acidic, close to neutral 7.0).
What is the difference between potassium humate and sodium humate?
Potassium humate and sodium humate are salts of humic acids obtained during the processing of raw materials with the appropriate alkali. These fertilizers are very similar in composition, but slightly different in properties. Potassium is an important nutritional element, and sodium is an antagonist that interferes with its absorption.
Sodium humate is a cheaper analogue, but at high concentrations in the soil it increases toxicity
comparison sign | Potassium humate | Sodium humate |
properties | increasing productivity, increasing germination strengthening the root system
| increase in green mass growth increasing resistance to harmful factors preventing flowers and leaves from falling |
application | soil fertilization | – |
soaking seeds | ||
feeding during budding, flowering and fruit set | ||
Smell of potassium humate
Both in dry and liquid form, the product has a barely noticeable, specific odor. It resembles rotted leaves and other organic matter. The admixture of ammonia is also barely noticeable. The smell is unobtrusive and does not pose any danger to people and animals.
What is good about potassium humate?
The main beneficial property of this fertilizer is a significant acceleration of plant development. Thanks to the activation of metabolic processes in tissues, the use of Humate leads to effective consequences:
- rapid collection of green mass;
- accelerated fruit set and early ripening;
- increasing productivity up to 50% of the norm (subject to other care rules);
- improving resistance to diseases, pests and adverse external conditions;
- formation of a developed root system;
- acceleration of chlorophyll synthesis, which provides plant nutrition, saturation with vitamins and nutritional components.
The product works especially well on depleted soils.
Fertilizing helps restore natural fertility and ensures a balance of acids and alkalis
In addition, Humates are the main vital activity of soil bacteria, which also have a beneficial effect on plants.
This is especially important for personal and farm households located near highways and industrial facilities.
What is potassium humate used for?
Fertilizing has a complex effect on the soil and plants. This product acts as a growth stimulator - it promotes the rapid growth of green mass and accelerates the ripening process of fruits. At the same time, Humate affects the soil structure, restoring the acid-base balance. Those. this drug plays the role of a growth stimulator - it is not a classic fertilizer (such as complex mineral fertilizer, superphosphate, bird droppings).
It should be borne in mind that Humate is a mixture of acids. Plants first assimilate chemically more active and “mobile” potassium (and sodium) ions, after which many Humate molecules are absorbed into the ground. If you apply them immoderately, this will inevitably lead to acidification of the soil.
That is why it is better to alternate root and foliar application methods, and also carefully follow the dosage prescribed in the instructions. For individual plants, such a medium will be optimal, for example, Potassium humate is well suited for conifers.
Regular fertilizing with potassium humate can increase productivity by up to 50%
Norm of potassium humate per liter of water
This fertilizer is a concentrated mixture of organic substances that make up the fertile soil layer. According to calculations, 1 kg of such fertilizing will replace 1 ton of humus. Therefore, it can be added to the soil only in very small quantities. If you use the drug in liquid form, the dosage will be as follows:
- for root feeding 0.1-0.2% of the total volume of solution, i.e. only 1-2 ml per 1 liter of water;
- for foliar treatment – 0.01% of the total volume – i.e. 0.1-0.2 ml per 1 liter of water;
- for soaking seeds - 0.5 ml per 1 liter of water.
Consumption rates of the resulting solution:
- 6-8 l/m2 in open ground;
- 4-6 l/m2 indoors, as well as for indoor flowers.
Dry potassium humate powder is used less frequently for tomatoes and other crops. It can be taken in quantities of 50 g per 10 m2 (or 500 g per 1 sq.m.) and scatter evenly over the surface, then dig up the area and water it.
To treat large areas, 2-3 bottles of the drug (1 liter each) are diluted in 1 barrel (200 liters of water). It is advisable to start processing immediately or in the coming days. The maximum shelf life (under the lid) is 1 month.
How to dilute potassium humate
Liquid Potassium Humate with microelements is a concentrated solution, so it must be diluted in water according to the instructions:
- Pre-settle the water. If possible, it is better to use natural ones - from a well, melt, or lake.
- Measure out the required volume of the finished solution, for example, 10 liters.
- Select 0.1% of liquid fertilizer from the total volume. For 10 liters, only 10 ml of potassium humate is enough.
- Fertilizer is applied by root (watering) or foliar (spraying) method.
- At the same time, pesticides can be used (if necessary), since the use of fertilizing significantly reduces the content of nitrate salts and toxic substances in the future harvest.
Moreover, it is better to treat the entire area at once in order to take, for example, not 0.1 ml per 1 liter, but 1 ml per standard bucket of water (10 liters).
Humate is consumed in small quantities, so it is one of the most affordable fertilizers
How to feed with potassium humate
The product has a universal effect, so it is used for all plants:
- potassium humate is suitable for seedlings;
- for vegetable plants;
- for fruit trees and shrubs;
- for garden and indoor flowers;
- for decorative and tall conifers.
The drug can be used in different ways:
- Root – make a solution, observing the dosage, and pour it into the hole. It is advisable to loosen the soil the day before so that the nutrients reach the roots as quickly as possible and then spread throughout the entire plant.
- Foliar – obtain the solution according to the instructions and spray. It is advisable to do this in dry, windless weather, late in the evening.
- Fertilizing the soil – mix 50 g of dry powder with the same amount of fine sand and scatter it over 10 m2 soil. Then loosen with a rake and water. This procedure can be carried out at the end of February, i.e. Scatter the mixture directly onto the snow. In this case, there is no need to water - just cover with plastic wrap, and then, when the snow melts, dig up the area.
The feeding schedule depends on the specific crop:
- Seedlings of cucumbers, tomatoes and other plants are watered immediately after being transferred to open ground, then at the stage of bud formation and during flowering. Moreover, the concentration can be increased by diluting 1 tablespoon of the product in a bucket of warm water.
- Root crops are fed 4 times with an interval of 2-3 weeks.
- To soak planting material, dilute 0.5 g in 1 liter of water and keep the seeds for 24 hours, and the bulbs for 8 hours, and it is advisable to keep flower and cucumber bulbs in potassium humate for two days.
- To stimulate the growth of root hairs, cuttings can be lowered to 2/3 of their length overnight (12-14 hours).
- When applying Potassium Humate fertilizer for strawberries and other fruit and berry crops, the concentration is reduced - 3 ml per 10 liters of water. It is better to alternate the root method with the foliar method, and also combine the application of fertilizing with pesticide treatment.
- Potassium humate for indoor plants can also be used up to 3-4 times per season, especially abundantly at the beginning of growth (March - April).
- Potassium humate for roses and other perennial flowers is applied 4 times: in early spring, after 3 weeks, at the stage of bud formation and during flowering. There is no need to fertilize in August and autumn - the plant is preparing for a dormant period.
- Lawns, dwarf conifers, thuja and other ornamental shrubs can be treated every two weeks.
Fertilizing is applied by root and foliar methods
Precautions when working with potassium humate
The product belongs to toxicity class 4 (slightly dangerous). Therefore, when working with it, you can do without personal protective equipment (mask, respirator, etc.).However, if the skin on your hands is very sensitive, it is recommended to wear gloves.
While spraying and watering using fertilizing, you should not eat, smoke, or talk. If possible, children and pets should be prevented from accessing the treatment area.
Terms and conditions of storage
Manufacturers claim that the shelf life of the drug is unlimited. However, it is better to use it within the next 2-3 years after manufacture. Storage is carried out at any temperature and moderate humidity. It is important to keep the powder or liquid away from direct sunlight. You should also prevent children and pets from accessing the storage area. The drug should be kept separately from food and medicines.
How can I replace potassium humate?
Potassium humate can be replaced with humus, compost, bird droppings and other natural organic fertilizers. You can also use various growth stimulants instead, for example:
- Epin;
- Heteroauxin;
- Immunocytophyte;
- Kornevin;
- Krezacin and others.
Conclusion
Fertilizing with Potassium Humate can be used as a growth stimulator. This is a mixture of useful organic substances that restore the fertile layer of soil. It is advisable to alternate fertilizing with other fertilizers - mineral and organic.
