nutrients from the ocean
stimulants , cytokinins , auxins , and gibberelins . Kelp ’ s hormones survive processing and trigger elongation and cell division for increased growth in all plants . When applied to soil , seaweed hormones increase root bulk 67-175 per cent . It ’ s a fine soil conditioner and helps retain moisture in the soil too . A number of manufacturers produce liquid concentrates ideal for hydroponic growing . Seaweed extracts used as a regular foliar spray make nutrients available fast and thus quickly reverse nutrient deficiency . Foliar spray also promotes earlier flowering , stronger fruit set , and stronger , faster stem and leaf development . It also gets rid of powdery mildew in days . The mannitol in seaweeds increases plant nutrient absorption in soil and other growth media and appears to play a role in responses to stress from any source . Other compounds it contains speed breakdown of sugars and carbohydrates and stimulate nitrogen-fixing bacteria in soil , which indirectly increases absorption of nitrogen as well as other nutrients . The result is a boost in plant vitality and a significant increase in yield . Overall plant protection is another benefit of using seaweed products . Antitoxins they contain repel some insects , as well as mildew and bacteria , by using the same chemical defenses that protect algae from bacteria and virus in the ocean . Because kelp contains compounds that reduce or prevent mold growth , shelf-life increases for fruits and vegetables grown with seaweed enhancement . Is there a down side ? Though fabulous , seaweeds alone don ’ t provide enough nitrogen or phosphorus for good growth , so that would need to be added . For homesteaders , wood ash not only lowers soil acidity , but also is a good source of phosphorus , plus potassium , calcium , and magnesium . But not all plants like it .
Fish Fertilizers
When starting or renewing beds in my garden , I stop by the local fish market with a couple of large buckets and bring home bony carcasses of wildcaught fish from pristine Alaskan waters , free in late afternoon . We bury the bounty under a kneedeep layer of soil so that raccoons and rodents won ’ t dig it up . The rich trove of phosphorus , calcium , and magnesium in bones and the nitrogen in flesh do wonders for building soil . Most growers prefer an easier way , though . The smell of fish fertilizers puts some people off , but the larger downside can be toxins including mercury and cadmium if the fish came from polluted water , offshore from urban and industrial centers . Most fish fertilizers are emulsions . Emulsions are made from so-called “ trash fish ” ( fish that Americans won ’ t eat ), usually menhaden . Menhaden are caught in harbors and rivers on the coast and thus are exposed to coastal pollutants . Also , lake fish used can contain mercury and PCBs , and they won ’ t contain the sea minerals and other nutrients found only in saltwater fish . If you see a nitrogen level higher than two on the NPK , it ’ s either an emulsion or has been fortified with another nitrogen . Read labels carefully .
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The most common seaweed fertilizer is made from Ascophyllum nodosum , commonly known as rock weed . ”
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