by johnah on November 5, 2020
Fish Emulsion For Houseplants
The most common question from gardeners is “How do I fertilize my plants with fish emulsion?”
This article explains how to use fish emulsion for houseplants. You will learn about different types of fish emulsions, their benefits and uses, as well as the proper way to apply them. Finally, you’ll see some tips on how to make your own homemade fish emulsion fertilizer!
What Is Fish Emulsion?
Fish emulsion is a type of organic material made up of tiny organisms called microalgae. These algae are usually found in fresh water, but they can grow anywhere there’s oxygen. They produce small amounts of nutrients through photosynthesis, which means they absorb light energy and convert it into chemical compounds such as nitrogen and phosphorous (N2P). Their growth rate depends on temperature, pH level, amount of sunlight and other factors. Because of these factors, fish emulsion is used for many purposes including food supplements, pharmaceuticals and even cosmetics.
Benefits Of Using Fish Emulsion For Plants
Fish emulsion contains trace elements such as calcium carbonate, magnesium sulfate and potassium chloride. These minerals are essential for plant growth and health. Calcium carbonate helps prevent root rot in vegetables while magnesium sulfate prevents chlorosis in fruits. Potassium is a major component in plant photosynthesis and overall health.
Fish emulsion can also be used to treat iron chlorosis (a form of iron deficiency) in plants. Its organic compounds help restore the plants’ energy and strengthen its resistance against environmental factors such as pests and diseases.
When And How To Use Fish Emulsion
You can use fish emulsion during different stages of plant growth. First, dilute it with water and spray on your plants. If you want to speed up the process, you can add powdered limestone and epsom salt as well. To increase fruit production and growth, spray it on the leaves and buds of your plants.
As a general rule, always remember to dilute the mixture before use.
Other Types Of Fish Emulsion Fertilizers
While most people use fish emulsion in liquid form, it is also available in powder and pellet form. The only difference between the types is their application.
For hydroponic systems and indoor gardens, it is best to use the liquid form. The microorganisms in the mixture will quickly multiply and provide your plants with enough nutrients.
The pellet form can be applied on outdoor plants such as trees and shrubs. Simply scatter a few pellets around the root zone and mix it with soil. Don’t worry; this type of fish emulsion fertilizer doesn’t have any odor or smell.
The powder form can be used for bulbs and seeds. To use, simply add it in your potting mix before planting your bulbs or seeds. The microorganisms will release nutrients slowly but surely to give your seeds a good start.
Homemade Fish Emulsion Fertilizer
If you’re really looking to save money and use natural ingredients, you can always make your own fish emulsion fertilizer. All you need is some dried urine and a bucket!
Dilute your urine at about a 10:1 ratio then put it inside a bucket. Cover the bucket and keep it in a shaded area until the liquid turns into a gel like substance. This process usually takes around 10 to 14 days. Once it’s done, you can add different types of soil to it to help with the process.
You can also use the liquid form if you don’t want to wait.
Mix one part of the homemade fish emulsion with three parts of water then add it to your soil. The nutrients and microorganisms will slowly feed your plants over time making it healthier and more resistant to diseases. You can also dilute the mixture and spray it directly on your plants.
Using Fish Emulsion Fertilizer
There are many benefits when using this fertilizer. As previously mentioned, it has a lot of potassium which helps with photosynthesis. It also provides balanced nutrition to your plants during different stages of growth. The liquid form is great for hydroponic and indoor gardens because the microorganisms can quickly multiply and spread out to all the plants.
Another thing to consider when using fish emulsion is the smell. As mentioned before, this fertilizer doesn’t have any odor. Although it does have a faint smell of rotten eggs. If you happen to spill some on your hands, you might detect a slightly stronger smell.
Regardless of its smell, this fertilizer is a great way to give your plants what they need. As long as you dilute it before using and follow the instructions on the package, you shouldn’t experience any problems.
This fertilizer is readily available at any gardening store. Since it’s a organic fertilizer, most stores that sell these types of products are more than happy to have it on their shelves. If you can’t find it in your local area, you can always buy it online.
Using this fertilizer is a great way to ensure your plants get the proper nutrition. It’s easy to use and doesn’t require any special knowledge. Just be sure to follow the instructions on the package for the best results every time.
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Sources & references used in this article:
Suppression of Rhizoctonia and Pythium damping-off of radish and cucumber seedlings by addition of fish emulsion to peat mix or soil by PA Abbasi, KL Conn, G Lazarovits – Canadian Journal of Plant …, 2004 – Taylor & Francis
Effect of fish emulsion used as a preplanting soil amendment on Verticillium wilt, scab, and tuber yield of potato by PA Abbasi, KL Conn, G Lazarovits – Canadian Journal of Plant …, 2006 – Taylor & Francis
Organic fertilizers and composts for vegetable transplant production by R Murray, RG Anderson – University of Kentucky, 2004 – uky.edu
Comparison of fish emulsion, fish oil and a horticultural mineral oil for control of citrus leafminer by GAC Beattie, DJ Rae, DM Watson, ZM Liu… – Spray oils …, 2002 – books.google.com
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