Powdered MSU Fertilizer Into A Liquid Concentration? - Orchid Board

NiNiDazzle · #1 05-22-2011, 04:56 PM

I have a few pounds of the MSU fertilizer for RO water that I turned into a liquid concentration according to First Ray's site.

Question 1
There are still particles that will not dissolve no matter how much I shake it. Do I need to add more water to the solution to try to get it dissolved or is it ok the way it is?

Question 2
Now that I have it as a liquid concentration, how much should I use for a gallon of RO water for S/H? I would assume that it would be 4 teaspoons per gallon, but since I will be watering it weakly/weekly, or in my case, every 2-3 days, should I be using half strength, quarter strength...?

Thanks for any help.

RosieC · #2 05-23-2011, 08:05 AM

I'm not really sure so can't help as such, so giving a bump.

However can you provide a link to the place on Ray's site you used. I use some instructions from his site, but I end up with a solution I use 'as is' without further dilution. I just need to understand what instructions you have followed to see if I can help more.

keithrs · #3 05-23-2011, 10:44 AM

Did you mix it to Rays instructions? If so, your concentrate is a 1/4 of what your original formula is.

So 1 tsp of concentrate is equal to 1/4 tsp of powder.

I'm not sure how much powder you where mixing before. Everyone has the schedule they like with the amount that works for them. I use 20-10-20 every watering. I have a watering system set up, so it easer for me that trying to remember when to fertilize.

Edit..... I dont do S/H.......

NiNiDazzle · #4 05-23-2011, 12:16 PM

These are the directions I followed to make the concentrated solution. Fertilizer Powders

I used 3 pints of hot water and one pound of MSU fertilizer. I realize that one teaspoon of the concentrated liquid is now a quarter strength of one teaspoon powder. I guess my question is, if I water weakly/weekly (every 2-3 days) for S/H use, should I be using two teaspoons of the liquid concentrate? Half of the recommended strength? I ask this because I don't water weekly, more like 2-3 times a week.

RosieC · #5 05-23-2011, 05:19 PM

OK, I think you now need this second page from Ray.

Fertilizer Mixing Calculators

On this you can enter the N number from your fertiliser (you will want to enter 1/4 of the N number because you now have a 1/4 concentration). The number of times you water per month and how many times you fertilise per month. You can also enter a target concentration but I would advise going with the default of 125 that Ray recommends.

It will then tell you the concentration to mix it at per watering. As it's based on how often you water per month it should sort everything out for you.

NiNiDazzle · #6 05-24-2011, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RosieC

OK, I think you now need this second page from Ray.

Fertilizer Mixing Calculators

On this you can enter the N number from your fertiliser (you will want to enter 1/4 of the N number because you now have a 1/4 concentration). The number of times you water per month and how many times you fertilise per month. You can also enter a target concentration but I would advise going with the default of 125 that Ray recommends.

It will then tell you the concentration to mix it at per watering. As it's based on how often you water per month it should sort everything out for you.

Thank you Rosie!!! That was exactly what I needed to know.

RosieC · #7 05-24-2011, 02:42 AM

Glad I could help

You actually helped me, because I've not noticed the page you were using before and as I use powder fertiliser now I think it's worth following the instructions on that one as well. I've only been using the Mixing Calculations before and not realised I was doing it wrong for powder.

Ray · #8 05-24-2011, 08:16 AM

Generally, I recommend a fertilizer concentration of 125 ppm N for semi-hydroponics.

The MSU RO fertilizer is actually very convenient for that: Use one pound of powder to make one gallon of concentrate, and that can be mixed at 1 ounce per gallon to achieve that final concentration.

As to NiNi's concern over stuff that won't go into solution, please understand that the 1#-to-3 pints was just an example of the type of calculation, not a recommendation of what to mix. You have to take into account the solubility of your particular fertilizer formula, and the calcium gets tricky at higher concentrations.

RosieC · #9 05-24-2011, 08:51 AM

Thanks for the clarification Ray. I was thinking mine is going to have problems holding in solution at that ratio. I think I need to experiment and work out what is best for mine (and find some bottles to store it in).

DelawareJim · #10 05-24-2011, 09:04 AM

I remember working out chemical concentrations and fertiliser blending in chemistry and horticulture classes back in my college days.

For what's it's worth, after many years of retail nursery and hobby fertiliser application, I realised that unless you're a commercial operation buying in bulk and working on a specific fertilisation schedule to maximize production at minimal cost (including labour), it's easier to keep it dry and follow Ray's directions on the label.

Think about it. Unless you have a totally automated system or use a calibrated blending feed, you still have to measure and mix (either dry or concentrate). I just add 5, 1/2 teaspoons to a 5-gallon water cooler jug, fill with water the night before and I'm set with 100ppm N for the next day. Also, if you spill, which would you rather have; lose a gallon of concentrate, lose a gallon of final concentration, or a pound of dry ferts on the floor that you can sweep up and put back in the jar?

Cheers.
Jim