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 potassium humate
- 6 What is potassium humate used for?
- 7 Potassium humate rate per liter of water
- 8 How to breed potassium humate
- 9 How to feed with potassium humate
- 10 Precautions when working with Potassium Humate
- 11 Terms and conditions of storage
- 12 What can replace potassium humate
- 13 Conclusion
- 14 Reviews of potassium humate
Top dressing with potassium humate can significantly accelerate the growth of green mass of vegetables, fruit, conifers and other plants. Humates enrich the soil with useful substances and increase natural fertility. Therefore, it is especially important to use them on depleted land - both in the open field and in greenhouses.
What is Potassium Humate
Potassium humate is an organic fertilizer that naturally forms 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. It is they who paint the soil in a characteristic black color. But they are not used in their pure form - plants do not absorb acids well, but salts - potassium and sodium humates. To obtain these substances, under industrial conditions, acids are neutralized with alkalis, for example, caustic soda (sodium hydroxide).
At the same time, humic acids themselves do not synthesize, but are taken from the soil - mainly from such 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, include classical microelements (nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium);
in granules. For summer residents and farmers, fertilizer is sold in various packages (with a capacity of 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 tool helps dying plants that do not take root well after transplanting to a new place.
- "A barrel and four buckets" - is available in vials of various dosages, as well as in the form of tablets for use on a large area - both on a personal and on a farm.
- "Biud" - restores soil fertility, removes heavy metals from the soil, increases plant resistance.
- Sakhalin - a powerful growth stimulator, recommended for use in the Far East, Siberia and other regions with an unfavorable climate.
Fertilizer composition Potassium humate
The composition of the 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.
In insignificant (in the amount of 0.02 g / l) trace elements are present:
- iron;
- copper;
- boron;
- cobalt;
- zinc;
- manganese.
The color of the mixture is dark brown, brown or black. The acidity index (pH of the medium) 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 an appropriate alkali. These dressings are very similar in composition, but slightly different in properties.Potassium is an important nutrient, and sodium is an antagonist that interferes with its absorption.
Sodium humate is a cheaper analogue, but at a high concentration in the soil, it increases toxicity
comparison feature | Potassium humate | Sodium humate |
properties | increased productivity, increased germination strengthening the root system
| increased green mass growth increasing resistance to harmful factors prevention of falling flowers and leaves |
application | soil fertilization | – |
seed soaking | ||
feeding during budding, flowering and fruit setting | ||
Smell of Potassium Humate
Both in dry and liquid form, the product has a subtle, specific odor. It resembles ripe leaves and other organic matter. Also, the admixture of ammonia is hardly noticeable. The smell is unobtrusive and does not pose any danger to people and animals.
What is good potassium humate
The main useful property of this top dressing is a significant acceleration of plant development. Due to the activation of metabolic processes in tissues, the use of Humate leads to effective consequences:
- fast green mass gain;
- accelerated fruit setting and early ripening;
- increasing yields up to 50% of the norm (subject to other care rules);
- improving resistance to diseases, pests and adverse external conditions;
- the formation of a developed root system;
- acceleration of the synthesis of chlorophyll, which provides plant nutrition, saturation with vitamins and nutrients.
The agent works especially well on depleted soils.
Top dressing helps restore natural fertility and maintains a balance of acids and alkalis
In addition, humates are the main activity of soil bacteria, which also have a beneficial effect on plants.
This is especially important for private households and farms located near highways and industrial facilities.
What is potassium humate used for?
Top dressing has a complex effect on the soil and plants. This tool acts as a growth stimulant - it promotes a rapid set of green mass and accelerates the processes of fruit ripening. At the same time, Humate affects the structure of the soil, restoring the acid-base balance. Those. this drug plays the role of a growth stimulant - it is not a classic fertilizer (such as a complex mineral, superphosphate, bird droppings).
It should be borne in mind that Humate is a mixture of acids. Plants first assimilate chemically more active and "mobile" ions of potassium (and sodium), after which a lot of Humate molecules are absorbed into the ground. If applied excessively, it will inevitably lead to soil acidification.
That is why it is better to alternate root and foliar application, as well as carefully observe the dosage provided by the instructions. For individual plants, such an environment will be optimal, for example, Potassium humate is well suited for conifers.
Regular feeding with potassium humate allows you to increase the yield up to 50%
Potassium humate rate per liter of water
This dressing is a concentrated mixture of organic substances that make up the fertile soil layer. According to the calculation, 1 kg of such feeding will replace 1 ton of humus. Therefore, it can be applied to the soil only in very small quantities. If you use the drug in liquid form, the dosage will be as follows:
- for root dressing 0.1-0.2% of the total solution volume, i.e. only 1-2 ml per 1 liter of water;
- for foliar processing - 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 the open field;
- 4-6 l / m2 indoors, as well as for indoor flowers.
Potassium humate dry powder for tomatoes and other crops is used less often. It can be taken in an amount of 50 g per 10 m2 (or 500 g per 1 hundred square meters) and spread evenly over the surface, then dig up the area and water it.
For the treatment of 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 shelf life (covered) is 1 month.
How to breed potassium humate
Liquid potassium humate with trace elements is a concentrated solution, so it must be diluted in water according to the instructions:
- Defend the water beforehand. If possible, it is better to use natural - from a well, thawed, lake.
- The required volume of the finished solution is measured, for example, 10 liters.
- Take 0.1% of the liquid feeding from the total volume. Only 10 ml of potassium humate is enough for 10 liters.
- Top dressing is applied by the root (watering) or foliar (spraying) method.
- At the same time, you can use pesticides (if necessary), since the use of top dressing significantly reduces the content of salts, nitrates and toxic substances in the future harvest.
Moreover, it is better to immediately process the entire area 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 this is one of the most affordable feedings.
How to feed with potassium humate
The tool has a universal effect, therefore 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 into the hole. On the eve, it is advisable to loosen the soil so that the nutrients reach the roots as quickly as possible, and then spread throughout the plant.
- Foliar - get the solution according to the instructions and spray. It is advisable to do this in dry, calm weather, in the late evening.
- Top dressing of 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, you do not need to water - it is enough to cover it with plastic wrap, and then, when the snow melts, dig up the area.
The feeding scheme depends on the specific crop:
- Seedlings of cucumbers, tomatoes and other plants are watered immediately after transfer to open ground, then at the stage of bud formation and during flowering. Moreover, the concentration can be increased - dilute 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 the planting material, 0.5 g is diluted in 1 liter of water and the seeds are kept for a day, and the bulbs - for 8 hours, and it is advisable to hold flower and cucumber in Potassium Humate for two days.
- To stimulate the growth of root hairs, cuttings can be lowered overnight (12-14 hours) by 2/3 of the length.
- When fertilizing Potassium Humate 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 one, and also combine top dressing 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. In August and autumn, you do not need to fertilize - the plant is preparing for a dormant period.
- Lawns, dwarf conifers, thuja and other ornamental shrubs can be treated every two weeks.
Top dressing is applied by root and foliar method
Precautions when working with Potassium Humate
The product belongs to the 4th class of toxicity (little dangerous). Therefore, when working with it, you can do without personal protective equipment (mask, respirator, and others). However, if the skin of the hands is very sensitive, it is recommended to wear gloves.
When spraying and watering using top dressing, you should not eat, smoke, or talk. If possible, you need to protect the access of children and pets to the processing site.
Terms and conditions of storage
Manufacturers declare that the shelf life of the drug is not limited. However, it is best to use it within the next 2-3 years after production. 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 exclude the access of children and pets to the store. The drug should be kept away from food and medicine.
What can 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;
- Kresacin and others.
Conclusion
Top dressing with potassium humate can be used as a growth stimulator. It is a mixture of useful organic substances that restore the fertile soil layer. It is advisable to alternate feeding with other fertilizers - mineral and organic.
