Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using High Potash Fertilisers
Do you feel like your plants are missing something? Potassium is key to lush, healthy plants for some growers. Indeed, buying a quality, high-potash fertiliser can be the answer if you feel that your plants are not thriving as much as they should. But, this doesn’t mean you should rush out and buy any old fertiliser. You must avoid common mistakes and know how to use them to achieve the desired results. Here are some of these popular errors people make.
Neglecting Soil Testing
Before you rush to sprinkle that potash-rich goodness, take a moment to know your soil. Soil testing is your secret weapon. It tells you what your soil craves and what it can do without. Skip this step, and you’re essentially shooting in the dark. You could be wasting money on a fertiliser your plants don’t need.
When you ignore soil testing, you risk overloading your earth with unnecessary potash. This can lead to nutrient imbalances and, ultimately, unhappy plants. Soil tests, on the other hand, guide you on what the ground really needs. They’re inexpensive to buy and can save you money in the long run. Thus, use a soil test before you buy anything else.
Buying any Old Product
You discover that your plants need more potassium. They have brown edges and you can see purple spots on the underside of the leaves. Indeed, they’ve got all the signs of nutrient deficiency, and you want to change this. So, you rush out to buy any high potash fertiliser you can find.
While buying a fertiliser is a good item, you want to avoid the common mistake of buying any old product. They’re not all the same, and some are better than others. Plus, you want to find a product that’s easy to apply and fits your schedule. Then plants that need high potash fertilisers get exactly what they require. Therefore, take your time and find a product that you understand and that has clear instructions you can follow.
Applying Fertiliser at the Wrong Time
Timing is everything in the world of high-potash fertilisers. There’s no point in applying this product when your plants are dormant. They’re not going to get the nutrients they need and you waste your time and money.
Therefore, applying fertiliser too early or too late can throw your plants off balance. Know when your green buddies need a potassium boost to make the most of your efforts. For most plants, this will be during the spring and summer, stretching into autumn. Generally, winter months should be avoided due to plants being dormant with the colder temperatures.
Over-Fertilising
You want to see your plants thrive and flourish. But, this is a process that requires patience. They won’t grow overnight, even with the right nutrients. Thus, you must understand that using more fertiliser doesn’t lead to better results. It also doesn’t speed up the process. In fact, overdoing it with high potash can be harmful and should be avoided at all costs.
Over-fertilisation can lead to nutrient imbalances, potentially stunting your plant’s growth and causing leaf burn. Always read the product you’re using and the proper dosage calculations. This ensures that you avoid the side effects of over-fertilisation.
Ignoring Other Nutrients
Imagine eating only one type of food for the rest of your life – not a great idea, right? Well, the same goes for your plants. High potash is important, but it’s not going to be the only fertiliser your plants need.
Neglecting other essential nutrients while going all-in with potassium can lead to nutrient deficiencies and unhappy plants. You’ve got to strike a balance, and this is where soil tests come in again. This will tell you what your soil is lacking and what you should be replacing. Your plants need a variety of nutrients to grow, not just potassium.
Failing to Water Properly
Something that’s essential for fertiliser is water. It is crucial for nutrient absorption, so applying high potash fertiliser and neglecting your watering duties is going to defeat the purpose of your efforts.
Most products advise you on how you should apply the fertiliser. For example, this can be mixing the liquid with water and spraying it over the soil. Alternatively, if you’ve bought a granular fertiliser, this will involve applying them to the soil and then watering. Consult the instructions before you get started.
Not Considering Environmental Impact
The choices you make affect the environment around you. High potash fertilizers can be powerful and beneficial to your plants. But, they can also harm water bodies through runoff and when they’re used excessively.
Learn about responsible fertilisation practices and eco-friendly alternatives to minimise your environmental footprint and keep your conscience as green as your thumb.
Using the Wrong Type of High Potash Fertilizer
High potash fertilisers come in various forms. We’re talking about organic, synthetic, liquid and granular – you’ll find a lot of words out there to describe them. Using the wrong type and applying it incorrectly can lead to disappointing results.
Therefore, the lesson here is to ensure you always research the product you are buying first. Know what type you are purchasing and that it aligns with what you want. All products come with instructions and reputable online stores will tell you them in advance.
Storing Fertilisers Improperly
Picture this: you’ve invested in the perfect high potash fertiliser, and then you leave it out in the rain. Alternatively, you store it somewhere too hot. Both of these ways can lead to damaging the product and meaning that it won’t work when it’s applied to the soil.
Therefore, know that improper storage can degrade the quality of your fertiliser, rendering it less effective. Most products should be stored somewhere cool and dry. In addition, it’s best for the storage location to be consistent with temperature. Read the instructions to see what the brand recommends.
