Bone Meal In Horticulture And Horticulture

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Bone meal is an ideal organic fertilizer with a rich mineral composition. It is an alternative to "chemical" fertilizers. Consider how to use and dosage for flower and horticultural plants

Benefits of bone meal

All organic fertilizers contain nitrogen in excess, they are low in calcium, phosphorus and other useful elements. Bone meal fully restores the mineral composition of the soil, as it contains a minimum of nitrogen, is a source of phosphorus, calcium and minerals (phosphorus content 15-35%, calcium 15-45, nitrogen within 1%).

Bone meal is widely used in plant growing as an environmentally friendly nitrogen-potassium fertilizer. In the composition of bone meal, in addition to phosphorus and calcium, there are all the substances necessary for vegetation and fruiting: magnesium, zinc, copper, potassium, iron, cobalt, iodine, sodium, etc. Along with macro- and microelements, there are biologically active substances, animal fats …

When added to soil, bone meal improves structure and reduces acidity. A big plus is the slow decomposition (6-12 months), which promotes better absorption. In vegetables and fruits grown on bone meal, the level of nitrates does not increase. It can be applied at any time, even 2 weeks before harvest.

Bone meal (horn-hoofed meal) is made from animal bones, it is safe for humans and animals, since the raw materials are first subjected to veterinary expertise, dried, and sterilized. Unlike mineral fertilizers, bone meal has many advantages:

• pure, biologically safe product;

• has a long-term effect (slow decomposition in the soil);

• does not cause burns to roots and leaves;

• in comparison with organic matter (manure, compost, herbal infusion), it is odorless and does not acidify the soil;

• does not require frequent application (added to the land once a year);

• used at any time of the year;

• the price characteristics are lower than those available on the sale of mineral dressings.

It comes on sale in three types, which differ in phosphorus content: ordinary (from untreated bones), called "phosphoazotine", has 15% phosphorus, steamed (heat-treated) - 25%, defatted - 35. Granulated for flowers. Sold in economical packs of 5; thirty; 40 kg. There are smaller packages of 800 g; one; fifteen; 2 kg. The prices are not high, for example, the cost of 1.5 kg is 120-140 rubles.

Application

Bone meal is an effective organic fertilizer that helps to strengthen the root system, active growth, increase immunity, and has a positive effect on shoot vegetation and fruiting. For the garden, vegetable garden, flower crops it is used as a phosphorus-mineral fertilizing, it works better than phosphate rock, superphosphate.

Introduced at any time (spring, autumn, summer) - once a season. It is possible not to observe strict doses, since it is impossible to overdo it, an overdose does not harm the plants. Here are the approximate parameters for using fat-free bone meal:

• 2-3 cups are introduced into the planting pits for fruit trees, 1-2 cups under berry bushes;

• when transplanting / planting flower crops (peonies, irises, lilies, phloxes, roses, etc.) add 2-3 tbsp. l.;

• when planting seedlings in a greenhouse (tomatoes, eggplants, peppers), 2-3 st. for 1 sq. m. or in a hole 2-3 tbsp. l.;

• when growing potatoes, the same norms are used as for a greenhouse;

• for feeding the lawn or breaking up a new one - 2 items / sq. m.;

• as an enriching additive in compost, sprinkle in layers;

• for indoor plants once a year for 1 liter of soil - 1 tsp;

• for feeding apple trees, plums, cherries, pears, etc. - 2 glasses in the trunk circle.

Bone meal in granules is used for garden flowers. It is applied to the surface, slightly mulched. Dosages are calculated 100-200 g per sq. m. For bush forms (rose, peony, spirea, etc.) 200 g per adult plant. When planting bulbs (tulips, lilies, hyacinths, etc.) - 1 tsp. under the onion.

When added to a well, it is recommended to lightly stir with soil. Bone meal is better absorbed with peat and rotten manure. You can make liquid dressings from bone meal: 500 g of flour + a bucket of water. The solution is infused for a week, then diluted 1:20 and used as root dressings.

Bone meal is not recommended for plants that love acidic soil (camellias, azaleas, rhododendrons, etc.). To deoxidize the soil, it is better to use fat-free bone meal with a minimum nitrogen content.