Organic-mineral fertilizer: effect & tips

Again and again one encounters mixed organo-mineral fertilizers. We explain what it is all about, how they work and name advantages and disadvantages.

They seem to be opposites, the mineral and the organic fertilizers. But doesn't it always say that opposites attract? Mineral and organic fertilizers also go together better than you might initially think. The mixture combines the positive properties of both fertilizers. After all, as the saying goes: it's all in the mix.

The topics of nutrient leaching and over-fertilized water bodies are highly topical. But not only agriculture contributes to this, because especially in gardens, too much fertilizer is often used. Unfortunately, a lot doesn't necessarily help a lot, but can quickly lead to a surplus - and that then ends up in the environment. A wonderful alternative is organic-mineral fertilizers, which reduce leaching and provide the plants with optimal nutrients.

What is organo-mineral fertilizer?

Typically, fertilizers can be divided into two categories: Mineral fertilizers are either industrially produced or mined elsewhere. The nutrients are already dissolved and directly available to the plants. The situation is different with organic fertilizer. This is of plant or animal origin. With this type of fertilizer, the nutrients are bound, for example in compost, horse manure or dead plant parts. Before they can be used by the plant, they must first be processed by soil organisms.

Effect and nutrient content of organo-mineral fertilizers

The nutrient content of organo-mineral fertilizers is lower than that of purely mineral ones Fertilizers, since the organic components contain far fewer nutrients than mineral ones Fertilizer. The lower nutrient concentration helps prevent nutrients from being washed out as quickly. Nevertheless, the nutrients are more concentrated than in purely organic fertilizers.

However, the really interesting thing is not the nutrient concentration, but the nutrient availability. The mineral component of the fertilizer is quickly and directly available to the plant, but is also quickly used up by the plant. The organic component, on the other hand, ensures that the effect of the fertilizer lasts for a long time. However, there are also long-term mineral fertilizers. These fertilizers are mixed with nitrification-inhibiting substances that prevent bacteria from making the nitrogen available to the plants too quickly.

Pros and cons of organo-mineral fertilizer

Organic-mineral fertilizer knows how to combine the positive properties of organic and mineral fertilizer.

Advantages of organo-mineral fertilizer:

• Fast nutrient availability and long-term effect: The nutrients from mineral fertilizer are directly available to the plants. However, the effect also wears off quickly and it has to be fertilized regularly. The nutrients from organic fertilizer, on the other hand, are only gradually released, which is why it has a long-term effect. Organic-mineral fertilizer combines both advantages.
• Soil fertility: While mineral fertilizer simply consists of highly concentrated nutrients, organic fertilizer makes an important contribution to soil fertility. Soil creatures receive fresh food from the fertilizer, can improve the structure of the soil and contribute to the build-up of humus.

Of course, organo-mineral fertilizer is a compromise between both components. It has the disadvantage that soil fertility is not improved as much as with pure organic fertilizer. In addition, the mining and production of mineral fertilizers is energy-intensive and not exactly environmentally friendly. Nevertheless, they are a good alternative, because not everyone has manure or compost available. It also works instantly, unlike slow-acting organic fertilizers.

Examples of organo-mineral fertilizers

Organic-mineral fertilizers are now quite common due to their clear benefits. Very good examples of such fertilizers in organic quality are our various Plantura organic plant fertilizer. They improve the structure of your soil and stand for active soil life. Only raw phosphate and kieserite were added to the exclusively non-animal components such as cocoa shells or grape seed oil cake Mineral components are added, since the nutrients phosphorus, magnesium and sulfur contained are only present in very small proportions in organic materials are included. The burial of these nutrients creates the optimal nutrient ratio for your plants.

An expert in organo-mineral fertilizers is also CUXIN DCM, where both hobby and professional gardeners can choose from different fertilizers.

Application of organo-mineral fertilizer

Organic-mineral fertilizer is used in spring at the beginning of the growing season. Simply work the fertilizer into the top layer of soil around your plants. As opposed to exclusively mineral fertilizer has a long-term effect, you do not have to apply it regularly. A second dose in early summer is sufficient.

More information about pure organic fertilizer we have put together for you here.

Many thanks to CUXIN DCM for the support!