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Gone With The Win

NPK values on liquid kelp is 0.3 0 0.6. Muriate of potash NPK values of course is 0-0-60. Chemical k values alot stronger but does the organic values of kelp stronger does that make since?

8/12/2019 6:52:11 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

The benefit of kelp is much beyond NPK value. It has many compounds that can be utilized by the plants. NPK...macro and micro nutrients are important. But I think there is another level beyond that. Utilization of complex compounds by plants. When you look at the NPK numbers...take it as ratio's. The number that finally gets to the plant depends on how much of it you apply. If I apply 1 pound of 20-20-20 to one plant, and 2 pounds of 10-10-10 to another. Which was was fertilized more?

8/12/2019 7:45:56 PM

Gone With The Win

The same

8/12/2019 10:24:58 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

correct answer...now answer this....which of these is more important to a plant:
phenolic compounds, mucopolysaccharides, algin, polar lipids, and glycosyl ester diglycerides.....

8/12/2019 10:54:42 PM

Eastern Shore of VA

Are you grading us on this ?
What’s the extra credit ?

8/12/2019 10:57:08 PM

Oak Grove, Mn

I cant grade you...because i don't know what the correct answer is. Extra credit is if you can figure out which complex compound is most beneficial. My point...we have much to grow in our knowledge.

8/12/2019 11:05:03 PM

Grittyville, WA

I think bnot is alluding to the possibility of other compounds/ amino acids being absorbed and utilized by the plant. But as for kelp I have not used it enough to know if its worth paying more for... If cost is no issue its probably at least worth experimenting with. I have used the soluble kelp this year as a foliar but not extensively. There are much cheaper things to add to the soil, if it simply degrades in the soil. I wonder which form truly makes sense. It might make more sense to put cheap 0-0-60 or compost or wood ash in the soil and use kelp directly on the leaves?

8/13/2019 6:21:21 AM

Oak Grove, Mn

All those compound I listed are in kelp, plus many more. It’s NPK value is much less, But unless we know how the plant can utilize the other compounds we cant determine value.

8/13/2019 10:22:03 AM