fert alternatives

brad

Prolific Poster
Aug 2, 2005
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I have a few supplements that are meant for human consumption but was wondering if I could use them as sorta root tabs.

Iron (ferrous Fumarate)
Dicalcium phosphate
magnesium Stearate

I know I could just get some real root tabs but what would the fun in that?
 

Tom Barr

Founder
Staff member
Administrator
Jan 23, 2005
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Re: fert alternatives

Yes, folks have used such items in the past.
Cost a lot more though.
KNO3 runs about 25$ for 50lbs.
MgSO4 is about 79cents for 5lbs
CaCl2 is 8$ for 15lbs etc

Then again, simply adding soil instead of a root tab will also do the trick and is well....dirt cheap.

How tio get the soil down there?
Add some water, and make mud, then add to ice cube trays.
Freeze the mud, then insert into the gravel, it'll thaw quick.

Regards,
Tom Barr
 

srozell

Guru Class Expert
Jan 24, 2005
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Re: fert alternatives

Tom Barr said:
Then again, simply adding soil instead of a root tab will also do the trick and is well....dirt cheap.

How tio get the soil down there?
Add some water, and make mud, then add to ice cube trays.
Freeze the mud, then insert into the gravel, it'll thaw quick.

Sometimes simple solutions can be so elusive. This is a great tip.


....now if only I had a way to remove the soil substrate out from under my gravel...
 

Paul

Guru Class Expert
Jan 24, 2005
169
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50
Droitwich, UK
Re: fert alternatives

Small problem I noticed after adding some cubes under my sand was when you come to pull out the plants to prune them all the compost comes out as well and makes the sand look like a muddy field.... :mad: spent ages vacuuming it out
 

Tom Barr

Founder
Staff member
Administrator
Jan 23, 2005
18,699
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Re: fert alternatives

srozell said:
Sometimes simple solutions can be so elusive. This is a great tip.


....now if only I had a way to remove the soil substrate out from under my gravel...

A Gravel vacuum will do it easily.
Regards,
Tom Barr