Blue fertilizer is controversial in the gardening world. Advocates swear by Blaukorn as a problem solver. Opponents despise the fertilizer as a blue poison. What exactly is blue fertilizer? Which plants is the fertilizer suitable for? What should you pay attention to when using it? These and other questions receive a comprehensible answer here.
What is blue fertilizer used for and when?
Blue fertilizer is a fast-acting, complete mineral fertilizer with nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. It is suitable for lawns, perennials, shrubs, conifers, fruit trees and vegetables as well as for plants with high nutrient requirements. Application takes place from March to September in overcast, rainy weather.
- Blue fertilizer is a complete mineral fertilizer from industrial production with a high proportion of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
- Blue fertilizer is suitable for lawns and plants with high nutrient requirements, such as perennials, shrubs, conifers, fruit trees and vegetables.
- It makes sense to use blue fertilizer from March to September as a short-term growth driver when plants suffer from an acute nutrient deficiency and organic natural fertilizer works too slowly.
What is blue fertilizer?
Blue fertilizer is a chemical fertilizer
Blue fertilizer is a fast-acting, industrially produced mineral fertilizer. In 1927, BASF brought the first artificial complete fertilizer onto the market under the name Nitrophoska, which was primarily used in agriculture and horticulture. Since then, the composition and ingredients have been refined a lot. The modern result is products with different recipes, tailored to the end consumer. One of the most commonly purchased complete fertilizers for the hobby garden is Compo Blaukorn NovaTec (€19.00 at Amazon) as an NPK fertilizer 14+7+17(+2) with this composition in detail:
- 14% Nitrogen (N)
- 7% phosphorus (P)
- 17% potassium (K)
- 2% Magnesium (MgO)
- and trace elements
Two criteria qualify this blue fertilizer as a suitable artificial fertilizer for the hobby garden: A special nitrification inhibitor slows down the rapid conversion of nitrogen into nitrate and thus extends the duration of NovaTec's effectiveness to four to ten weeks. Furthermore - compared to blue fertilizer for agriculture - the phosphate content is greatly reduced because the soil in most allotment gardens already contains plenty of phosphate.
Blue fertilizer benefits
- quick result
- Low in chloride and therefore suitable for s alt-sensitive plants
- Precise nutritional information on the packaging and therefore easy to dose
- Fertilizer does not need to be incorporated
- available as fertilizer granules and liquid fertilizer
Blue fertilizer disadvantages
Due to its disadvantages, blue fertilizer should only be used for specific reasons
- no buildup of humus
- no vitalization and promotion of soil life
- pollutes groundwater, oceans (algal blooms), rivers (fish deaths), lakes (overturned inland waters)
- Species extinction due to creeping nitrate inputs into the soil
- Danger of overdose and overfertilization
- must be rained on to avoid leaf burns
In view of these advantages and disadvantages, there are two main reasons why you should use mineral blue fertilizer: 1. Plants suffer from growth depression and significant deficiency symptoms that call for immediate growth help. 2. A soil analysis reveals significant nutrient deficiencies that cannot be remedied by natural, organic soil additives such as compost soil.
The following video explains in practice how to use blue fertilizer correctly with important information on advantages and disadvantages.
Blaukorn Dünger Anwendung &38; Dosierung - Blaukorn richtig dosieren &38; anwenden / Wofür
Which plants is blue fertilizer good for?
Blue fertilizer eliminates acute nutrient deficiencies in numerous ornamental and useful plants. Primarily, heavy to medium-consuming plants benefit from the immediate growth boost of the artificial fertilizer. However, the chemical turbo fertilizer is not recommended for wild perennials and other weakly consuming plants with a penchant for lean conditions. The following table gives an overview of which plants in the hobby garden blue fertilizer is suitable or unsuitable or harmful for:
| Perennials | Flowers | Woods | Vegetables | Fruit | no blue fertilizer for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geraniums | Tulips | Rhododendron | cabbage | Berry bushes | Orchids |
| larkspur | Daffodils | Roses | Potatoes | Fruit trees | Wild perennials |
| Phlox | Imperial Crowns | Cherry laurel hedge | Tomatoes | Strawberries | Ornamental grasses |
| Foxglove | Summer flowers | Conifers | Beans | Rhubarb | hydrangeas |
The amount you fertilize the plants with blue grain depends on the composition of the product and the specific nutrient requirements. For this purpose, please consult the manufacturer's information on the packaging.
Special case: blue fertilizer for lawns
Heavy-used lawns appreciate blue fertilizer
Ornamental and noble grasses are actually low-energy plants that are unsuitable for the application of blue fertilizer. However, if the noble grasses gather to form a dense carpet of grass, this monoculture means there is an increased need for nutrients. Primarily on heavily used play and sports turf, quick-acting blue grain is useful as a booster fertilizer in spring and gets growth going.
The joy of green lawns doesn't last long because the growth spurt from blue fertilizer quickly fizzles out. Simply top-fertilizing with the blue beads carries the great risk of over-fertilization with fatal damage to the lawn. An organic lawn fertilizer continues the blue grain immediate effect with a natural long-term effect. As soon as the green area has completely absorbed the complete mineral fertilizer, clever hobby gardeners apply 50 to 60 grams of horn shavings or an organic lawn fertilizer with an organic certificate per square meter of lawn area. If blue fertilizer gradually runs out of steam after four weeks, organic fertilizer has caught up and is stepping in with natural nutrients. The result is a velvety green grass cushion over a humus-rich subsoil full of soil life.
Excursus
Blue fertilizer is poisonous
The improper use of blue fertilizer is harmful to human and animal he alth. Direct skin contact triggers allergic reactions including blistering and chemical burns. If large amounts of blue grain dust are inhaled, there is a risk of shortness of breath, pulmonary edema and even pneumonia. Intentional or unintentional ingestion leads to nausea, vomiting, cramps and circulatory failure. If even the smallest particles of the blue granules get into the eyes, the eyeball is rinsed with clear water for several minutes with the lid lifted. Because blue fertilizer is so toxic, hobby gardeners should always exercise particular caution when handling it and strictly adhere to the manufacturer's recommended safety precautions.
When should you fertilize with blue fertilizer?
You can fertilize with blue fertilizer from the beginning of spring to the end of summer
The window for using blue fertilizer is open during the growing season from March to September. In this phase there is the best chance that the majority of the nutrients will actually be absorbed by the plants. Outside the growing season, the ingredients in blue grain are ineffective because neither soil organisms nor the soil benefit from the artificial fertilizer.
Weather conditions also play an important role in deciding when to spread blue fertilizer. The sky should be cloudy and the weather should be rainy. Under these conditions, you avoid the risk of the plant leaves suffering massive burns under solar radiation because the blue fertilizer grains remain on them.
Tip
To the question: “Blue fertilizer or horn shavings?”, there is only one answer for nature-oriented hobby gardeners. If you want to harvest organic vegetables, nurture weak plants with an organic nitrogen-rich fertilizer. Horn shavings are made from grated horns of slaughtered cattle and contain up to 14% nitrogen. The organic one-nutrient fertilizer is non-toxic, environmentally friendly, good for soil life and promotes the growth of vegetables for carefree, he althy enjoyment.
Use blue fertilizer correctly – tips for hobby gardeners
Acute nutrient deficiency is the most common reason why concerned hobby gardeners prescribe blue fertilizer to their plants or lawn as an immediate aid. To ensure that the advantages of the mineral fertilizer are optimally developed and the disadvantages remain within acceptable limits, important aspects must be taken into account when using it. The following tips get to the heart of how to use blue fertilizer competently:
- Time: overcast, rainy weather between March and September
- Protective measures: Gloves, safety glasses, long-sleeved clothing, ideally a respiratory mask
- Dosage: dose sparingly according to the manufacturer's instructions
- Fertilizing plants: Distribute blue fertilizer by hand directly on the root disc, do not sprinkle it on the leaves
- Fertilize the lawn: Fill blue fertilizer into the spreader, walk the lawn in strips without overlapping
It is important to note that you always water blue fertilizer with a watering can, water hose or lawn sprinkler. The longer blue grain remains on a plant surface, the greater the risk of burns to leaves and blades of grass.
Frequently asked questions
Is blue fertilizer suitable for hydrangeas?
Despite their similar color, blue manure and hydrangeas don't get along well
Although hydrangeas have a high need for nutrients, artificial mineral fertilizers are not recommended for these flowering beauties. Hydrangeas want slightly acidic soil with a pH value of 5. Blue fertilizer with a concentrated load of phosphorus increases the pH value, which hydrangeas respond to with poor growth and a pronounced lack of flowering. Furthermore, a high dose of phosphorus on blue hydrangeas causes the color to fade. The better nutrient supply for pompous flowers and bright blue is a special hydrangea fertilizer.
Is there a difference between blue grain and blue fertilizer?
No, there is no difference between blue grain and blue fertilizer. Both terms refer to the mineral complex fertilizer with the blue beads, which is available commercially in various compositions. The usual commercial name for the artificial fertilizer is blue grain. The product name blue fertilizer is rarely used.
Dog poisoned by blue fertilizer. What to do?
Typical symptoms of blue manure poisoning include increased salivation, vomiting, cramps and shortness of breath. Sometimes your dog's lips and tongue may still be blue in color. Secure and calm your tormented four-legged friend, but without putting on a sling. If your pet has vomited or fainted, place the body in a stable side position and make sure to keep the airways clear. Never induce vomiting. Immediately following these measures, you should not waste valuable time, but rather consult a veterinarian.
Can you dissolve blue fertilizer in water?
Blue fertilizer grains can be dissolved in water and used as liquid fertilizer. Please pay special attention to the dosage. Just 2 to 3 grams of the blue granules are enough for 5 liters of water. Leave the solution overnight so that the granules dissolve completely. After use, wash the watering can thoroughly to remove toxic residue from the bottom of the can. We recommend buying blue fertilizer in liquid dosage form ready-made.
Tip
With a compost in the natural garden, the ecological credit side is full to the brim. Garden and kitchen waste is transformed into a dark brown, forest floor-scented organic fertilizer for all ornamental and vegetable plants. Balcony gardeners set up a worm farm, hire hard-working compost worms and in this way produce rich compost fertilizer for a very he althy snack garden in buckets and boxes.
