FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. HOW IS FERTISORB APPLIED?
Mix about 1 teaspoon per plant into the soil of your container, then set the plant and water. For instance, if you're making up a 10" basket with 3 different plants, mix 3 teaspoons of FertiSorb throughout the soil.
2. WHY IS FERTISORB MIXED IN THE SOIL?
The plant’s roots must be able to penetrate the granules to draw out the nutrient.
3. DO I STILL NEED TO WATER MY PLANTS?
Yes. You should keep your potting soil uniformly moist. The nutrient is available when the granules have absorbed water. As the nutrient is used by the plant, more and more polymer becomes available for hydration, lessening the frequency of watering. However, the absorptive qualities of polymer far exceed that of the surrounding soil, so when the crystal absorbs water, it’s very reluctant to give it up to drier surroundings. Ironically, if you use a polymer but don’t water on a regular basis, your potting media can dry out to the point where water begins to run off, and not through the pot. The polymer can extend the time between watering as far as the plant's needs are concerned, but you also need to water to maintain the quality of the growing media. That’s why we recommend that you regularly water your container to the point of saturation. You don’t need to overflow, but there must be moisture present for the media to remain healthy.
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4. HOW MUCH WATER DO I USE?
Water to saturation only, you don't need to have water running out of the bottom of the pot or container.
5. HOW DO I KNOW WHEN TO WATER?
Your plants will tell you. When the leaves just start to droop, water.
6. IS FERTISORB ORGANIC?
No. However, when you use FertiSorb, you are using much less nutrient than you would otherwise use with conventional fertilizers. Since the nutrient stays embedded in the polymer granule until taken up by the plant's roots, 100% of the nutrient is plant available. There is no leaching of nutrient, and no buildup of salts in the media. This makes FertiSorb very safe for the environment.
7. WHAT IS FERTISORB'S GUARANTEED ANALYSIS?
FertiSorb is available in a 12-12-12 general purpose formulation containing secondary and micronutrients, and for 2010, we are introducing a 10-5-10 formula for bigger and better blooms.
8. WHAT’S THE BLUE COLOR?
It’s a combination of the copper used in the formulation and a non-toxic dye.
9. CAN I USE OTHER FERTILIZER WITH FERTISORB?
Sure. However, when you use FertiSorb according to label directions, you’ll have ample nutrient for the entire growing season.
10. WILL THE GRANULE EXPAND SO MUCH THAT IT WILL PUSH THE PLANT OUT OF THE POT?
No. Since the granule is so bound up with nutrient, it swells up much less. As the nutrient is taken by the plant, the granule will swell to a larger size, but by that time, the plants roots will be well established in the container.
11. CAN I USE FERTISORB IN FLOWER BEDS?
Yes. Work the product into the soil to a depth of about 3 inches at a rate of about 2 pounds per 100 square feet.
12. HOW LONG WILL THE POLYMER LAST AFTER THE FERTILIZER IS USED UP?
The polymer will last an additional 12-18 months. In all honesty, the claim that the crystals last for more than a season or two is a little bit of an exaggeration. The roots connect themselves to the granules; that’s how they draw out the moisture. So, if you’re planting annuals, when you clean out the container or your planting bed at the end of the season, you’re pulling out the crystals along with the roots.
13. WHAT DOES THE TERM "RELEASE ON DEMAND" MEAN?
When FertiSorb's granules are hydrated, the nutrient is 100% plant-available. Therefore, we cannot call it "controlled" or "slow release", as the term is defined by regulators. On the other hand, FertiSorb holds nutrient in the root zone, lengthening its availability, which is the intent of slow release. The nutrient stays in the granule until it's pulled out by the plant's roots, which in effect puts the plant in control of its own nutrient needs. Hence, the term "Release on Demand".
14. WHY IS FERTISORB BETTER THAN WATER SOLUBLE OR SLOW RELEASE FERTILIZERS?
Water soluble fertilizers migrate through the soil every time water is applied. Also, with repeated applications, nutrient salts build up in the soil, and too high a level of salts can be harmful to your plants. The nutrient in FertiSorb stays in the granule until taken up by the plant, and doesn't need to be reapplied. There's no salt buildup in the soil. Slow release fertilizers depend upon temperature to effect the release of their nutrients. Look at the label on your favorite slow release fertilizer, you'll see that the maker will guarantee the period of release at a specific soil temperature, usually about 70°. If the temperature of your soil climbs to 100°, which is common anywhere, the release rate can increase up to 40 times faster. FertiSorb's nutrient availability is not affected by soil temperatures, meaning that the nutrient will be uniformly available. FertiSorb combines the best attributes of both water soluble and slow release fertilizers without the drawbacks of either.
15. WHAT IF MY QUESTION ISN'T ANSWERED ABOVE?
Send us an e-mail. We'll do what we can to answer your questions.
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