Application Guidelines / Rule of Thumb:
- In the case of UGF 6-in-1, benefits are typically achieved for 3-4 weeks.
- The ‘rule of thumb’ is to apply a light-medium watering of diluted solution semi-regularly, around every 2 weeks.
- UGF 6-in-1 can be applied more frequently e.g. weekly or daily micro-dosing for better, more consistent results. Otherwise less frequently such as 4-6 weeks as practical.
MIXING:
Shake or stir concentrate well before diluting with water: With more natural and diverse liquid fertilisers such as UGF 6-in-1, some ingredients are heavier than others and it’s best to thoroughly shake/stir prior to diluting.
Always dilute concentrated liquid fertilisers with water!
- Standard dilution for UGF 6-in-1 concentrate is 1 part to 100 parts water (1:100). E.G. 10ml concentrate makes 1L of solution, 90ml concentrate for a 9L watering can, or 1L makes 100L.
- Can be mixed more concentrated (minimum 1:50) for hardy plants and grasses in moderate climates.
- Can be mixed less concentrated (e.g. 1:200) and applied more often. When applying UGF 6-in-1 as a foliar spray on sensitive plants and/or leaving on in hot sun, suggest starting with 1:200 and monitor before increasing concentration to 1:100.
Note: Some natural liquid fertilisers (especially fish-based ones like UGF 6-in-1) may froth up if water is added to UGF 6-in-1 concentrate under force (hose or tap).
Tip: To help avoid frothing and help ensure a more consistent mixture, options include:
- Pre-dilute the concentrate with some of the water (say 10%), then add that pre-mix with the rest of the water volume.
- Alternatively, prepare majority of the water volume then add the liquid fertiliser concentrate to form stage 1 of dilution. Then, add the balance of the water under pressure (hose or tap) to help mix the UGF 6-in-1 throughout.
Note: Careful if mixing liquid fertilisers with other products as a chemical reaction may occur. This could be fizzing or coagulation over 24 hours or so. Refer separate blog article.
TIMING:
NEW PLANTS:
- NGI scientists and associates explain that the first stages of growth are the most important.
- If seeds/tubers/corns, etc receive healthy nutrients upon germination, they are mostly likely to succeed and achieve.
- Ideally apply UGF 6-in-1 during the early stages of growth (seed and infancy), then throughout growth cycle as practical.
ESTABLISHED PLANTS:
- Apply natural liquid fertilisers before growing season to ‘prime’ soil and microbes.
- Ideally apply UGF 6-in-1 upon first signs of leaf burst & bud burst, then throughout flower and fruit formation for better, more plentiful and consistent harvest, plus resilience to pests, diseases & extreme weather.
- Also, apply UGF 6-in-1 post-harvest, then prior to dormancy so that energy of fish proteins and oils, etc can be absorbed and stored by the plant, etc for a quicker, more vibrant start to next season. Great for enhancing health and storage capabilities of tubers, corns, etc.
APPLICATION METHODS:
ROOT ZONE:
- NGI scientists advocate that it’s good to feed the root zone with natural enhancers to stimulate soil microbes and symbiotic root activity.
- UGF 6-in-1 is relied on to strengthen roots to grower thicker, deeper, longer, stronger for more resilience and better access to more nutrition.
- For best results, soil should be moist prior.
FOLIAGE:
- It can more effective, practical and cost-efficient to apply natural liquid fertilisers to leaves and stalks of plants. Note: Most plants can readily absorb nutrients via their foliage and it doesn’t take long for those nutrients to travel down to stalk and roots as well.
- Being natural and loaded with nutrients, the more astute commercial growers and champion exhibitors rely on UGF 6-in-1 as a foliar spray to deliver fast results and for recovery, especially after bad weather, pest infestation or herbicidal contamination.
- Some apply weekly weakly (1:200), whilst some apply 1:100 weekly or fortnightly.
- 15-times Grand Champion of Sydney Royal Easter Show - Gerard Oldfield likes to mist the underside of foliage as well and uses a hand held spray rod and nozzle to do so. Refer video demonstration.
IN A NUTSHELL: NGI scientists recommend at least the first 2-3 applications include the root zone, and suggest applying UGF 6-in-1 as a foliar spray more so during the season. For best results mist if practical, otherwise simply water on.
APPLICATION RATES & FREQUENCY:
A lot will depend on plant variety, size and stages of growth plus soil and weather conditions. The following is merely a guide for UGF 6-in-1 rates and frequency and if practical, NGI suggests doing split trials with double or triple the amount and/or frequency to gauge results.
For fruit trees, vines, vegetables, flowers, shrubs, and ferns:
- For domestic use, use 20-80ml (2-8L mixed at 1:100) per 20sqm.
- For a 1m high plant, use 1ml (100ml mixed).
- For a vine, use 30-40ml (3-4L).
- For a large fruit tree, use 50ml (5L).
- For large commercial use, apply 5-10L concentrate per hectare (2-4L/acre).
Apply regularly, ideally at least every 2-4 weeks. If practical, apply more often with the option to reduce the amount of concentrate. Some of the best results have come from micro-dosing daily in automated fertigation systems.
For lawns, turf, pastures, and crop farms:
- For domestic use, use 100ml UGF 6-in-1 concentrate (10L diluted at 1:100) per 100sqm.
- For large commercial use, apply 5-10L concentrate per hectare (2-4L/acre).
Apply natural fertilisers with seed and then repeat regularly, ideally at least every 2-4 weeks. Some turf farmers interchange with granulated chemical fertilisers for even bigger boosts.
Test and Monitor: As usual, it’s good to trial different amounts of plant supplements on small areas initially.
Will natural liquid fertilisers go through fertigation systems and boom sprays?
- Many will, whilst some may clog nozzles and filters.
- In the case of UGF 6-in-1, it is ground down to 100 microns, which makes it suitable for use with most applicators, boom sprays, and fertigation systems with medium nozzles and decent pressure.
- Consider removing any fine filters completely, otherwise replace them with a medium filter.
