-What is the expiry date of Liquid OPF (organic plant feed) fertilizers?
We normally calculate one year after production date. Since OPF /Fertiplus are natural and organic certified fertilizers, no stabilizing agents are used. The minerals in the fertilizer will precipitate tot the bottom and might form a thick substance. This will occur after sudden temperature shocks and during prolonged cold storage.
-What can be done when the product is precipitated after long storage?
Shaking, mixing and Bubbling with compressed air will help to bring the minerals back in solution. The best way is to avoid precipitation in the IBC’s is to place a probe in the liquid and “bubble up” the liquid with compressed air. (15 minutes per day)
-What is the guaranteed shelf life of the product after repackaging in smaller containers for retail?
As long as the end user will shake the bottles well, there is practically no end to the shelflife. The product may precipitate but the mineral content will remain the same.
-Will OPF block the lines and drippers?
OPF is a natural product, rich in organic matter, amino acids and sugars. This serves as food for microorganisms. If used in drip lines, we suggest irrigating the diluted fertilizer in the first irrigation cycle of the day and to flush with clean water the rest of the day. If lines and drippers already contain slimy biofilm, we advise to clean out the lines first before using OPF.
-Can OPF block the drippers?
During the production process of the liquid fertilizers the quality is checked in several stages. Finally, the product is filtered at a 200-micron particle size. All OPF that leaves the factory is filtered. This process decreases the precipitation significantly and it is safe to use in any sprayer or irrigation system.
-How long can OPF be stored after opening the container?
After opening, oxygen will enter the container. If dirt or dust drops into the container, some bacteria might start to have influence on the content, resulting in extra CO2 emission from the container. This might result in a swollen container. Make sure to use ventilation caps or allow pressure release by not closing the container tight.
How is the dilution for OPF calculated?
Every soil and every plant have different needs. It is not possible to provide the perfect dilution rate. For safe use and to avoid direct (leaf)damage to the plant, we recommend a minimum dilution of 1:20. This would still be a very high concentration, but it will not damage the plants if used with common sense. OPF can be given under an EC level that is required for some cultures. We normally would advise to stay 0,2 points lower in EC with OPF. If your EC is 1,2, then fertilize with OPF on a level of EC 1. For foliar feed, drip irrigation and pivot irrigation we recommend a dilution of 0,1-0,5% OPF does not leach. Testing on your own land and in your own culture is essential.
-Can OPF be mixed with chemicals?
OPF can be added after the complete procedures of mixing chemicals is ready (Add OPF as last product in the mix).
-What is the best time / temperature to apply foliar fertilizer?
Foliar feed should be done under daylight conditions when photosynthesis take place.
During cold weather leaves will absorb less then under warmer conditions. Under conditions of hot weather foliar feeding helps to destress the plants and will mitigate heath stress.
-How fast will the nitrogen in OPF liquid act?
The nitrogen content consists of ammonium and amino acids. The ammonium will start acting almost immediately and last for bout a month. The amino acids will provide the longevity of the nitrogen source.
-Can leaf burn occur?
When OPF Fertilizers are applied according to the datasheet in a minimum dilution of 1:20 (but normally dilution is from 0,1 to 0,3%).
-Should I choose for root or foliar feeding?
The roots are for primary feeding of most plants. Foliar feeding will never replace root feeding. Foliar feeding is a completely natural way of providing plants with extra energy, minerals or micro trace elements for rapid correction of deficiencies.
-Which soil biology is promoted by OPF?
Unlike organic fertilizers, synthetic mineral fertilizers contain no energy. (captured sunlight) For this simple reason the energy required to bring synthetic fertilizers into the plant will take energy from the soil by using organic matter as an energy source. Synthetic fertilizers only feed the plant. Organic fertilizers feed both the plant and the soil.
-How does the soil pH influence the uptake of OPF?
Because the minerals in synthetic fertilizers are mainly absorbed by plants through ionic exchange and osmotic pressure, the dependency on soil pH is significant. Organic fertilizers require a specific soil biology to transform the organic matter into inorganic nutrients. In a natural fertilizing system, the plants will produce more complex sugars. The exudates from complex sugars are able to influence the rhizosphere biology into a pH according to the plants needs.
-What is the fastest way to remediate nutritional stress? Through foliar or root application?
Nutritional stress should normally be corrected through the root system. This is a process that takes time and requires a specific condition of the soil. Correction of nutritional stress in the soil requires a long term strategy. For immediate relieve of nutritional stress, foliar application of a mineral mix, plant based amino acids and natural fulvic will act direct and should be visible within a few days.
-How long will it take before the plants show response to the foliar treatments?
For immediate relieve of nutritional stress, foliar application of a mineral mix, plant based amino acids and natural fulvic will act direct and should be visible within a few days.
-Can OPF be used in inert growing substrates like perlite, gravel, pumice stone, vermiculite and coco fiber?
Inert growing media require a certain level of microbial activity to enable organic liquid fertilizers to be effective in plants. In practice, very good results of adding small amounts of OPF organic fertilizer in a mix with mineral fertilizers are realized. Ask an expert in this field for specifics.