Blue grain: application, mode of action & toxicity

Here you can find out everything about ithow blue grain is used, what the advantages and disadvantages are, and whether blue grain is poisonous.

Blue corn is a universal fertilizer and contains a large number of nutrients that plants generally need. Opinions are divided on this mineral fertilizer. Some are completely enthusiastic about Blaukorn, others don't want to hear about it. Below is everything you need to know about blue grain.

What is blue grain anyway?

Blue grain is a typical artificial fertilizer made from inorganic salts and a complex fertilizer, also known as complete fertilizer.

Complete fertilizer means that the main nutrients nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium are contained, which is why the term is also used NPK fertilizer can use. Nitrogen is obtained industrially from the air (using the Haber-Bosch process), while potassium and phosphorus are broken down in storage facilities. The first fertilizer of this kind was called Nitrophoska and was brought onto the market by the BASF company in 1927. The advantage of mineral fertilizers like blue grain is that they take effect very quickly. This supports the growth and flower formation of the plants. Thanks to the rapid availability of nutrients, you can react quickly to a lack of nutrients. To make it easier to use, the blue grain fertilizer is granular and can therefore be easily applied and distributed. The fertilizer bears the name "blue grain" due to the blue color of the fertilizer pellets.

Blue grain recipes

The different blue grain products that are available for sale all have different compositions and NPK ratios. Cheap products often contain chloride, which can be harmful to sensitive crops. For example, potatoes, berries, beans and many other vegetable crops and ornamental plants are sensitive to chlorine in fertilizers.

If you want to have an adapted fertilization in your garden, you will not be able to avoid examining your soil carefully. Our garden soils are generally adequately supplied, if not oversupplied, with phosphorus. Therefore, a high phosphorus content in a fertilizer is not absolutely necessary. A soil analysis shows you which nutrients are sufficiently available and which are still missing in your beds.

Benefits of blue grain

The advantages of blue grain (or Mineral fertilizers) are the following:

• Fast effectiveness
• Training is not necessary
• Nutritional information on the packaging is accurate and reliable
• Different dosage forms (liquid, solid)

Disadvantages of blue grain

Of course, there are also some arguments against blue grain, especially for gardening enthusiasts who care about the health of the earth and the environment:

• Blue grain does not build up any humus
• The diversity and activity of soil life is not encouraged
• Plants can be damaged and weakened by overdosing or incorrect use
• Risk of excess nutrients being leached into the groundwater

So you can see that although blue grain has a few advantages, the disadvantages outweigh the disadvantages for most areas of application. Whether or not you use this fast-acting fertilizer in your garden is of course up to you - but you should be carefully considered when using it. After all, primarily offer organic fertilizers such as ours Plantura organic lawn fertilizer adequate and more sustainable options.

Fertilizing with blue grain: application

Blue corn should be used (if at all) between March and September. The granulate is sprinkled on the ground around the plants. It should be used on cloudy days and in rainy weather, otherwise there is a risk of burns to the plants. The moisture is also necessary for the fertilizer to dissolve. The grains should also not remain on the plants and their leaves, as this can also lead to burns.

It is advisable to carefully scatter the grains and then pour them in. Since the nutrients from blue grain are available very quickly, over-fertilization can quickly occur. In addition to an increased susceptibility to the invasion of plant pests (for example Aphids) there is also an increased risk that the excess nutrients in the soil solution will be leached into the groundwater.

Blue grain in solid form can also be dissolved in water for use, but you should be careful when mixing. Two to 3 g of blue grain are sufficient for 5 liters of water. Since the grains are often difficult to loosen, you can leave the solution to stand overnight and stir it again thoroughly before use. Wash the watering can thoroughly after use to remove any residue from the bottom of the can. It is best to use blue grain granules a week before sowing or before planting out. This gives the fertilizer time to develop its effect and dissolve in the soil. Blue grain can also be used in small doses during the growing season, if desired.

On which plants can blue corn be used?

The compound fertilizer can be used for vegetables such as tomatoes and cucumbers. Even with fruit and various shrubs as well as ornamental plants like that rhododendron you can apply blue grain. You should be careful when using blue grain on potted and flowering plants. The blue grain fertilization often increases the growth and the flower formation is less.

Plants that prefer nutrient-poor soils should also not come into contact with blue grain. You can recognize nutrient-poor soils by so-called pointer plants, for example: Cranberries (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), Red fescue (Festuca rubra agg.) or meadow horn clover (Lotus corniculatus).

Recommended use for blue grain with an NPK ratio of 12 - 12 - 17 +2

Here you will find a list of recommended quantities for different crops and comments on what you should pay particular attention to:

Blue grain for berry bushes

With berries like Raspberries (Rubus idaeus) or Blackberries (Rubus sectio Rubus) you should fertilize 80 to 150 g per m². You divide this amount over the year. It is best to fertilize two thirds in the spring and one third after the harvest. For Currants (Ribes) or Gooseberries (Ribes uva-crispa) you can use 150 to 300 g per bush.

at Strawberries (Fragaria) the application rate is 60 to 80 g per m². When used over several years, the gifts are divided into two thirds after harvest and one third in spring. If the strawberries are only used as an annual, it is advisable to fertilize them in August before planting them out.

Blue grain for fruit

For fruit trees that stand alone, an amount of around 80 g per m² is sufficient. Distribute the fertilizer over the area that covers the treetop. In the case of orchards, about 50 g per m² are fertilized in spring and 30 g in the months of May to June - after the fruit has set.

Blue grain for ornamental plants

at Roses (pink) you should divide the fertilization into three parts: a third in spring, a third after the first flowering and a third at the end of July. In summer 160 to 180 g per m² are sufficient. For ornamental flowers like Tulips (Tulipa) or daffodils (Narcissus) an amount of 60 to 80 g per m² is sufficient. To do this, use two thirds of this amount in the fall before planting out and one third in the spring before these flowers bloom. With rhododendrons or Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus) you have to fertilize a little more than with flowers, namely 60 g per m². Before vegetation begins, give two thirds of this amount and after flowering the remaining third. Young bushes should get less. In the case of rhododendrons, it is also advisable to cover the ground with pine litter.

Balcony flowers can be supplied with fertilizer when they are planted. To do this, you simply mix this into the potting soil. There are around 30 g of blue grain for every 10 liters of soil. Be careful when watering, though, as this mixture shouldn't touch the leaves. For ornamental trees such as silver or blue firs, pines or other conifers, an amount of 60 to 100 g per m² is recommended, with younger trees receiving a smaller amount. If you use blue grain with magnesium, the latter ensures that needle tan does not occur unless it is caused by insects.

Blue grain for vegetables

Legumes like Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) or peas (Pisum sativum) do not need a lot of fertilization. 40 g is sufficient for peas and up to 80 g can be used for beans. With these crops a single application before sowing is sufficient. Fruit vegetables, to which tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), paprika (Capsicum) and Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) count have a greater need for nutrients. You should therefore apply around 60 g per m² of blue grain. Half of this amount is used before sowing or before planting and the remaining half is spread between the plants during growth. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa), Lamb's lettuce (Valerianella) or Endive (Cichorium endivia) get by with an amount of 40 to 70 g per m².

About half of the amount is used before sowing or planting and the remaining amount is carefully sprinkled between the plants as they grow. Cabbage vegetables need a little more attention. You should use an amount of fertilizer of 150 to 250 g per m² here. Use half before planting and the remaining half split into two doses four weeks apart.

Is blue grain poisonous?

Since there is nitrate in the blue grain and in the water that comes into contact with the fertilizer, problems can certainly arise. Nitrate (NO₃^–) in itself is not poisonous, but it turns into nitrite (NO₂^–) and this substance leads, for example, to blue rash (methaemoglobinemia) in small children. In the case of blue rash, delayed by blue corn, the level of methaemoglobin in the blood is increased and this results in a low supply of oxygen. Symptoms for this are drowsiness, headache, confusion. Ultimately, this can even lead to a coma and death. Methaemoglobinaemia can be treated with an antidote (methylene blue) or with a blood transfusion. But the condition of the blood can return to normal even if harmful substances are no longer supplied. Because of this danger, especially for infants and young children, there are strict guidelines on how much nitrate can be in baby food.

If blue grain comes into contact with your skin, simply wash the area off with plenty of soap and water. If the blue grain comes into contact with your eyes, rinse them for several minutes. To do this, you should hold the eye under running water with the eyelid open. If blue grain is swallowed, it is advisable to drink plenty of water afterwards, but do not induce vomiting. With all of these recommendations, it is always important that you consult a doctor if you experience symptoms and that you take the packaging and label with you.

If you use blue grain in the garden and are afraid that your children or pets will swallow some of it, you should handle it carefully. Do not leave the fertilizer packs open and stow them in a place that is inaccessible. Instead of just sprinkling the grains on the ground, work the pellets into the ground and do not leave any irrigation water in which blue grain is dissolved standing around. If you want to be on the safe side, you can do without Blaukorn and others entirely mineral fertilizers with the same risk potential. Instead, organic fertilizers such as ours can be a remedy for optimal plant nutrition Plantura organic universal fertilizer create. In addition to being harmless to humans, animals and the environment, its production is significantly more resource-saving and therefore more sustainable. The use of our Plantura organic fertilizer not only supplies your plants optimally, but also promotes the life of the soil in your garden.

Blue grain and pets

Like us, our pets shouldn't eat blue grain either. If you are concerned that, for example, your dog has eaten blue grain or has drunk water with blue grain dissolved in it, you should not take your eyes off your dog. Symptoms of blue corn poisoning are vomiting, salivation, cramps, shortness of breath, tremors, bloody feces and circulatory failure. In the worst case scenario, death can occur if you do nothing. If you observe these symptoms, make sure to take your pet to the veterinarian. Make sure your airways are clear (do not wear a muzzle) and stay calm. Do not try to induce vomiting in the pet; leave treatment to a veterinarian. He'll likely give you charcoal tablets to help bind the toxins.

Risk of confusion with blue grain

The blue globules are very similar to another product that is often used in the garden, namely slug pellets.

However, slug pellets consist of completely different minerals than blue grain, namely iron (III) phosphate. Rodenticide, or more simply rat poison, is often colored blue. The feeding bait for rats or other unpleasant rodents can have different colors and shapes. They often appear as blue pellets.

Many people these days prefer to use organic garden products. This article provides information about the features and benefits of organic fertilizers.