1. How does FertiSorb differ from other slow release fertilizers?

FertiSorb is NOT a slow release fertilizer. Slow release fertilizers delay availability of nutrient by using a coating over the fertilizer prill. When the FertiSorb granule is soaked, the nutrient is 100% plant available.

     2. If that's the case, how's FertiSorb different from my liquid feed?

It's different in several ways. First, the nutrient in FertiSorb doesn't migrate through the media, it stays in the polymer until drawn out by the plant. Second, there's no buildup of salts in the media requiring periodic fresh water leaching. Third, when using FertiSorb, there's only one application needed: at the time it's blended into your media. You'll only think that you're feeding your plants every day.

     3. I've used polymers before, and wasn't impressed; why should I use FertiSorb?

Rather than emphasizing the water management properties of polymers, we're using the polymer primarily as a very efficient delivery system for nutrient. FertiSorb will, of course, hold water for a plant's needs, and as nutrient is pulled out of the granule by the plant, more polymer is made available for water retention. However, please think of the polymer as a delivery system for the nutrient, a delivery system which is more efficient than anything else on the market today.

     4. What will I first notice when I use FertiSorb?

It takes a few days for the granules to completely swell and put the nutrient into solution. Also, it takes a few days for the plant's roots to seek out and attach themselves to the granule. Therefore, at the outset, you may see plants grown with liquid feed appearing to grow more quickly. However, after the first week, the plants grown with FertiSorb will quickly catch up.

     5. How much FertiSorb do I use?

In most situations, 3-5 pounds of FertiSorb per cubic yard is sufficient to provide up to 6 months of plant nutrition.

     6. How much does FertiSorb cost?

The price of our common formulations is $3.50 per pound. On a per-yard basis, this translates into a fertilizer cost of $10.50-$14.00 per yard.

     7. That's a lot more than I pay for my slow release fertilizer. Why should I pay more to switch to FertiSorb?

What you pay for your slow release is just the beginning. How much does it really cost you to fertilize your crop? How much slow release do you use throughout your entire crop cycle; how many times do you have to top-dress because the weather got hot? How much time do you spend leaching salts? How many plants do you lose to root burn? Every time you touch your plants, it costs you money. One application of FertiSorb is all you need for up to 6 months of full plant nutrition. After that, all you have to do is water, and since you don't have to leach accumulated salts, you don't even need to do that as much. Click here to see more reasons why FertiSorb is very cost-competitive.

     8. Can I use liquid feed when using FertiSorb?

Sure. Some growers use FertiSorb at a reduced rate (1-1½ lb./yd.) to serve as a baseline amount and liquid feed at a much lower rate. The baseline supplements the liquid feed, and then serves to provide the plant with nutrient and water management when the plant moves off to an uncertain future and intermittent care in today's pay-by-scan big-box retail environment. An added benefit to using FertiSorb in conjunction with a liquid feed program is that you'll notice that pH levels won't fluctuate nearly as much.

      9. Will polymers absorb nutrients from a liquid feed program?

Polymer will absorb nutrient as it absorbs water. However, there is only a marginal increase in the amount of nutrient, and will not approach the amount of nutrient contained in FertiSorb.

    10. How do I change my watering practices when using FertiSorb?

When using FertiSorb, you water to saturation only, you do not need to water to overflow. You'll get a saving in water because of the water-holding properties of the polymer. More significant, however, is there is no buildup of salts in the media when using FertiSorb which require fresh-water leaching. Therefore, you'll significantly reduce your level of watering.

    11 . Can I use FertiSorb in plugs and Ellepots for propagation?

FertiSorb is perfect for these applications. FertiSorb granules do not swell nearly as much as straight polymer, therefore, it's completely adaptable in plug production. In a recent trial, geraniums grown using FertiSorb provided cuttings 7-10 days faster than with liquid feed, and the cuttings took root 4 days faster in unfertilized Ellepots because of the high nutrient level in the tissue. Please contact us if you would like a CD of an interview we did with the grower and hear his experience in his own words.

    12. How long does the polymer last in the soil?

The polymer will stay in the soil for 12-18 months after the nutrient has been depleted.

    13. Can FertiSorb be top-dressed?

No, FertiSorb must be incorporated in the media. It needs to be in the root zone to be effective.

    14. How do I reapply FertiSorb?

Every time you transplant from a smaller container into a larger one, putting FertiSorb into the new media provides a boost of nutrient.

    15. What will I see when I take electroconductivity (EC) readings?

There is a residual layer of dust on the product which is a function of the manufacturing process. This dust is washed off as the product is initially watered. Therefore, your first reading will probably show a spike in EC. After that, your EC will drop to a level not much different from your media in its unfertilized form, and plateau thereafter. That's because the nutrient stays in the polymer, it doesn't migrate throughout the media.

    16. How is FertiSorb packaged?

FertiSorb is packed in 40 pound poly bags.

    17. How well does FertiSorb blend in media?

FertiSorb is blended in its dry form, and blends very easily using standard blending equipment.

    18. I buy my media pre-mixed from my supplier. Can I have FertiSorb blended at the supplier's plant?

Absolutely. Just ask us to send the product to your supplier and we'll take it from there.

If you don't see your question here, please drop us an e-mail or give us a call.

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