One comes across mixed organo-mineral fertilizers again and again. We explain what it's all about, how they work and name the advantages and disadvantages.
They seem to be opposites, the mineral and the organic fertilizers. But doesn't it always say that opposites attract? Mineral and organic fertilizers also go together better than you might initially think. The mixture combines the positive properties of both fertilizers. After all, as the saying goes: it's all in the mix.
The topics of nutrient leaching and over-fertilized water bodies are highly topical. But not only agriculture contributes to this, because especially in gardens, too much fertilizer is often used. Unfortunately, a lot doesn't necessarily help a lot, but can quickly lead to an excess - which then ends up in the environment. A wonderful alternative here is organic-mineral fertilizers, which reduce leaching and provide the plants with optimal nutrients.
What is organo-mineral fertilizer?
Typically, fertilizers can be divided into two categories: Mineral fertilizers are either industrially produced or mined elsewhere. The nutrients are already dissolved and directly available to the plants. The situation is different with organic fertilizer. This is of plant or animal origin. With this type of fertilizer, the nutrients are bound, for example in compost, horse manure or dead plant parts. Before they can be used by the plant, they must first be processed by soil organisms.
Effect and nutrient content of organo-mineral fertilizers
The nutrient content of organo-mineral fertilizers is lower than that of purely mineral fertilizers because the organic components contain far fewer nutrients than mineral fertilizers. The lower nutrient concentration contributes to the fact that the nutrients are not absorbed as quicklybe washed out. Nevertheless, the nutrients are more concentrated than with purely organic fertilizer.
The really interesting thing is not the nutrient concentration, but the nutrient availability. The mineral component of the fertilizer is quickly and directly available to the plant, but is also quickly used up by the plant. The organic component, on the other hand, ensures that the effect of the fertilizer lasts for a long time. However, there are also long-term mineral fertilizers. These fertilizers are mixed with nitrification-inhibiting substances that prevent bacteria from making the nitrogen available to the plants too quickly.
Advantages and disadvantages of organo-mineral fertilizers
Organic-mineral fertilizer knows how to combine the positive properties of organic and mineral fertilizer.
Benefits of organo-mineral fertilizer:
- Fast nutrient availability and long-term effect: The nutrients from mineral fertilizer are directly available to the plants. However, the effect also wears off quickly and it has to be fertilized regularly. The nutrients from organic fertilizer, on the other hand, are only gradually released, which is why it has a long-term effect. Organic-mineral fertilizer combines both advantages.
- Soil fertility: While mineral fertilizer simply consists of highly concentrated nutrients, organic fertilizer makes an important contribution to soil fertility. Soil creatures receive fresh food from the fertilizer, can improve the structure of the soil and contribute to the build-up of humus.
Of course, organic mineral fertilizer is a compromise between both components. It has the disadvantage that soil fertility is not improved as much as with pure organic fertilizer. In addition, the mining and production of mineral fertilizers is energy-intensive and not exactly environmentally friendly. Nevertheless, they are a good alternative, because not everyone has manure or compost available. It also works instantly, unlike slow-acting organic fertilizers.
Examples of organo-mineral fertilizers
Organic mineral fertilizers are now quite common due to their clear benefits. Our various Plantura organic plant fertilizers are very good examples of such fertilizers in organic quality. They improve the structure of your soiland stand for an active soil life. Only rock phosphate and kieserite were added as mineral components to the exclusively non-animal components such as cocoa shells or grape seed oil cake, since the nutrients phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur are only found in very small proportions in organic materials. The burial of these nutrients creates the optimal nutrient ratio for your plants.
CUXIN DCM is also an expert in organo-mineral fertilizers, where both hobby and professional gardeners can choose from various fertilizers.
Application of organo-mineral fertilizers
Organic mineral fertilizer is used in spring at the beginning of the growing season. Simply work the fertilizer into the top layer of soil around your plants. Since it has a long-term effect, in contrast to exclusively mineral fertilizers, you do not have to apply it regularly. A second dose in early summer is sufficient.
We have compiled more detailed information on purely organic fertilizers for you here.
Many thanks to CUXIN DCM for the support!