Top dressing with potassium humate: what is good, composition, instructions for use

Top dressing 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 land – 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 (leaves, 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 absorb well not acids, 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 are not synthesized, but 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, also 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:

1. «prompter” – Humate for universal purposes, which is produced in liquid form in containers of 250, 500 ml and 10 liters. The tool helps drying plants that do not take root well after transplanting to a new place.

   

2. “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 in personal and farming.

   

3. “Bud” – restores soil fertility, removes heavy metals from the soil, increases plant resistance.

   

4. Sakhalin – a powerful growth stimulator, recommended for use in the Far East, Siberia and other regions with an unfavorable climate.

   

Composition of the fertilizer 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;
• phosphate – 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 top dressings are very similar in composition, but differ slightly 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.

The smell of potassium humate

Both in dry and liquid form, the product has a barely noticeable, specific smell. It resembles overripe leaves and other organic matter. Ammonia admixture is also 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:

• quick set of green mass;
• accelerated fruit set and early ripening;
• increase in yield up to 50% of the norm (subject to other rules of care);
• improved resistance to diseases, pests and adverse external conditions;
• formation of a developed root system;
• acceleration of the synthesis of chlorophyll, which provides plant nutrition, saturation with vitamins and nutrients.

Especially well means influences the depleted soils.

Top dressing helps restore natural fertility and balances acids and alkalis.

In addition, humates are the main life 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?

Top dressing has a complex effect on the soil and plants. This tool acts as a growth stimulator – it contributes to the rapid set of green mass and accelerates the process 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 stimulator – it is not a classic fertilizer (such as 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” potassium (and sodium) ions, after which many Humate molecules are absorbed into the ground. If applied excessively, this will inevitably lead to acidification of the soil.

That is why it is better to alternate the root and foliar application methods, and also carefully follow the dosage provided for by the instructions. For individual plants, such an environment will be optimal, for example, Potassium Humate is well suited for conifers.

Regular top dressing with potassium humate allows you to increase the yield up to 50%

Norma Gumata potassium 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 top dressing will replace 1 ton of humus. Therefore, it can only be applied to the ground 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 volume of the 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 powder of potassium humate for tomatoes and other crops is used less frequently. It can be taken in the amount of 50 g per 10 m² (or 500 g per 1 weave) and evenly scatter 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 maximum shelf life (under the lid) 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:

1. Set aside water first. If possible, it is better to use natural – from a well, thawed, lake.
2. Measure the desired volume of the finished solution, for example, 10 liters.
3. Select 0,1% liquid top dressing of the total volume. Only 10 ml of potassium humate is enough for 10 liters.
4. Top dressing is applied by root (watering) or foliar (spraying) method.
5. At the same time, pesticides can be used (if necessary), since the use of top dressing significantly reduces the content of nitrate salts and toxic substances in the future crop.

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 top dressings.

How to feed with potassium humate

The tool 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:

1. Root – make a solution, observing the dosage, and pour into the well. On the eve, it is desirable to loosen the soil so that nutrients reach the roots as quickly as possible, and then spread throughout the plant.
2. Foliar – get the solution according to the instructions and spray. It is advisable to do this in dry, calm weather, late in the evening.
3. Soil fertilization – 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 – just cover it with plastic wrap, and then, when the snow melts, dig up the area.

The feeding scheme depends on the specific crop:

1. 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 – dilute 1 tablespoon of the product in a bucket of warm water.
2. Root crops are fed 4 times with an interval of 2-3 weeks.
3. To soak the planting material, dilute 0,5 g in 1 liter of water and keep the seeds for a day, and the bulbs for 8 hours, and it is advisable to keep the flower and cucumber plants in Potassium Humate for two days.
4. To stimulate the growth of root hairs, the cuttings can be lowered overnight (12-14 hours) by 2/3 of the length.
5. 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, as well as combine top dressing with pesticide treatment.
6. 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).
7. 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 feed – the plant is preparing for a dormant period.
8. Lawns, dwarf conifers, thuja and other ornamental shrubs can be treated every two weeks.

Top dressing is applied by root and foliar methods.

Precautions when working with potassium humate

Means belongs to the 4th class of toxicity (it is a little dangerous). Therefore, when working with it, you can do without personal protective equipment (mask, respirator, etc.). However, if the skin of the hands is very sensitive, it is recommended to work with gloves.

During spraying and watering with top dressing, you should not eat, smoke, talk. If possible, it is necessary to protect the access of children, as well as pets, to the place of processing.

Terms and conditions of storage

Manufacturers claim that the shelf life of the drug is not limited. 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 protect the powder or liquid from direct sunlight. Children and pets should also be excluded from access to the storage. The drug should be kept away from food and medicines.

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;

  

• Krezatsin and others.

  

Conclusion

Fertilizing with potassium humate can be used as a growth stimulant. This is a mixture of useful organic substances that restore the fertile soil layer. It is advisable to alternate top dressing with other fertilizers – mineral and organic.

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