Inexpensive/Odorless/Quality/Organic Fertilizers

[Dart21]

So I've been using Neptune's Harvest for a couple years now, three different kinds for different times and different plants; their seaweed 0-0-1 (which to me has the least odor), their seaweed/fish emulsion 2-3-1 (which has a DEFINITE odor and is even residual after rinsing the watering can) and their fish emulsion 2-4-1 (which is the smelliest of all).

Believe it or not, my bottle of fish emulsion 2-4-1 was exposed to a bit too much sunlight and cracked open upon dropping it in my bathroom the other day. Cleanup was HORRENDOUS. That being said, lately I've just resorted to diluting a liquid Miracle Grow African Violet feed rated at 8-8-8 alternating to the seaweed/fish emulsion when I can tolerate the odor.

I really prefer to give my plants the best of things... and naturally I would prefer to give them organic fertilizer, though I know chemically there is no difference in the breaking down of these organics in comparison to the non-organics.

What are the recommendations and experiences out there for a good quality, gentle, all-around fertilizer that is organic and odorless.

I also supplement my plants with vitamins/hormones/vitalizers so it's not crucial that the fertilizer has all the necessary micro nutrients included.

[jeremyinsf]

K-lite and KelpMax from Ray.

Orchid Growing Supplies Semi-hydroponics Hydroponics Orchid Books PrimeAgra

The $37 is worth the investment and will probably last you a long time.

And the KelpMax doesn't smell bad, in my opinion.

[Dart21]

Just bought the KelpMax and have been using it on everything... but this is more of an additive as opposed to a fertilizer right? I.e. no macro nutrients? I'm gonna look into the K-lite right now.

The KelpMax definitely doesn't smell bad at all IMO either. Thanks for the reply

[jeremyinsf]

KelpMax is a root stimulant (growth regulator) and isn't nutrients, per se.

K-lite is actual fertilizer.

You need/want them both (as I think you are figuring out haha)

[Dart21]

It's very interesting with the very low Phosphorous levels. How long have you been using it? Have you seen any problems with the bloom sizes or anything whatsoever?

Ray really seems to have his science down. He's such a great guy too... gives me the time of day on phone when I call and since I live relatively close he will actually meet up with me directly to give me the product I order... Really a great guy.

---------- Post added at 09:41 PM ---------- Previous post was at 09:39 PM ----------

Shouldn't have such skepticism but it's a part of me especially being a broke college student :-P. Anyone else have any feedback on the K-lite before I place my order?

[jeremyinsf]

I've been using it since late spring. I can't speak highly enough about it - I just ordered the 25lb bag last month, after ordering a few of the 2lb jars to try it out.

That 2lbs will make you 2.5 - 5gallons of pre-mix (probably, depending on the ppm rate you use it and how you want to mix it) so the $12 worth will last you quite some time.

Others can chime in, of course!

[Dart21]

Sounds like I'm going to be placing my order tomorrow.

[Ray]

I'm now about 26 months into K-Lite use, and I figure that if there was going to be a deficiency, I'd likely have seen something by now....

I haven't.

[MrsH530]

I just got my shipment from Ray last week, so while I can't contribute from my own experience, I will say that the whole reason I started looking into it and ultimately purchased it was because of the rave reviews from other OB users. I'm looking forward to healthier plants that actually bloom for me

[hagfish]

Plants require three main nutrients, Nitrogen, Potassium and Phosphorus. With organic fertilizers it is the nitrogen which causes odors. Proteins are where organic nitrogen comes from and they break down into amines and finally ammonia. Amines smell like rotting flesh and the stench of ammonia is not only unbearable, but toxic to animals as well. Mammals solve this problem by converting ammonia into urea. Some commercial fertilizers use this as their nitrogen source. Urea has a somewhat earthy scent, but not as bad as amines or ammonia. Reptiles and birds take a different route. They form insoluble uric acid which is odorless. This organic nitrogen source once occurred in great abundance in Peru as a substance known as guano. Seabirds feeding on the abundant sardine population produced thousands of tons of it every year. Unfortunately the sardines were over fished and all the guano collected. Another source of organic nitrogen is bat droppings. Bats roost in caves and their waste accumulates in thick mats on the cave floor. It dries and becomes a source of organic fertilizer. Insects can provide organic nitrogen. Cricket farmers have learned to sell cricket waste. I believe the product is called "cricket crap". Of course there is a domestic source of guano from chicken farms, although the quality is probably quite poor. Worm farmers can also provide worm "castings" and this material is odorless as far as my experience has been. Artificial fertilizers rely on soluble nitrates, which are technically salts and just as odorless as table salt. Organic phosphates come from bone meal, bones being composed of an insoluble salt called Calcium phosphate. Soil organisms break it down into soluble phosphates. Wood ash is a good source of organic Potassium, usually in the form of very soluble Potassium carbonate. Never burn treated wood though. The green color comes from a toxic mixture of Chromium, Copper and Arsenic.