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Midwest

I have a conversion problem. In a 5% chilean nitrate solution, how many pounds of N is in one gallon?
1 gal water = 8.32 lbs. 5% X 8.32 = 0.416 lbs.
one gallon has .416lb of NaNO3. For 1 ounce, divide by 16 oz per pound? .416lbs / 16oz = 0.026 lbs of NaNO3.
Is this correct? How much do you put on before pollination and after pollination? Thank you!
Greg

6/28/2007 1:06:14 AM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Greg,

Water weighs 8.32lbs/gal on most liquid fertilizer solution weigh over 10.3 lbs/gal. Possible more.

For simplicity:

10 lbs/gal x 5%N = .5 lbs (or 8 oz) N/gal
If you want 1 oz of N you would use 16 oz of the solution.
<128 oz/gal div 8>

6/28/2007 8:30:19 AM

Midwest

Thank you for the correction. You're the man! Is Chilean Nitrate (sodium nitrate) going to be banned soon?

6/28/2007 1:43:38 PM

Ctpumpkin@optonline.net

Not that I'm aware. We sell some "organic" fertilizers that contain Chilean Nitrate. For a long time Nitrate of Soda was not allowed by OMRI since it is not at all organic. Those mines were once used as a source of munitions. Once we developed better explosives the mines were closed. Some felt that since the material didn't require processing it should be accepted as at least "natural" which it is...Chilean Nitrate is a natural MINERAL.

Could this be what is causing the confusion?

Some of the more militant "green activists" would prefer that no mineral ever be sold as "fertilizer". Strange really since most soils are already 90+% mineral. LOL

6/28/2007 7:27:51 PM