Fish emulsion is a type of organic liquid fertilizer made from fish waste. While fish emulsion can be produced from many different types of fish (including wild caught salmon), a small fish called Menhaden is the most common source of this liquid fertilizer. An oily, bony fish with little edible meat, Menhaden comes from the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea.
How are liquid organic fertilizers made? The fish is steam-heated and then transferred to a large pressing equipment where the liquids and precious fish oil is rendered. All the solid substances are made into animal feed, while the oil is further refined into fish oil. As for the remaining liquids, it is simmered until it is transformed into a thickened fish emulsion.
To hinder fermentation and extend its shelf-life, phosphoric acid is added to the emulsion. The percentage of phosphoric acid in the solution should be under 1% to meet the USDA criteria for organic products.
Standard composition of organic fish emulsion fertilizers is about 5% Nitrogen, 2% Phosphorous, and 2% Potassium. It also contains micronutrients that are vital for promoting plant growth.
Adventurous gardeners make their own liquid fertilizer from fish. It's a smelly, messy process, but it could be economical for gardeners with a ready supply of fish waste.
Many organic fertilizers are slow acting. Not fish emulsion. The nutrients in fish emulsion are released almost immediately. That's why it is particularly good for seedlings and transplants--it gives them a jumpstart. Gardeners either water the diluted liquid fertilizer into the soil or spray their plants for a foliar feed.
Instructions must be followed in using fish emulsions as fertilizers because over-application can burn the roots of the plant. And be prepared for the strong odor but it wanes in a day or so. Since it is organic, the fertilizer must be used at once it has been diluted and it cannot be exposed to heat.
Once again, we need to repeat that organic growers need not worry that fish emulsion fertilizer is depleting our oceans of the important Menhaden fish or other fish that people need for food. Fish emulsion if primarily made from fish waste of the established animal feed and fish oil industries, which would have been dumped in landfills if not used. The organic label in fish emulsion fertilizers not only means natural, it also means environmentally safe. - 32395
How are liquid organic fertilizers made? The fish is steam-heated and then transferred to a large pressing equipment where the liquids and precious fish oil is rendered. All the solid substances are made into animal feed, while the oil is further refined into fish oil. As for the remaining liquids, it is simmered until it is transformed into a thickened fish emulsion.
To hinder fermentation and extend its shelf-life, phosphoric acid is added to the emulsion. The percentage of phosphoric acid in the solution should be under 1% to meet the USDA criteria for organic products.
Standard composition of organic fish emulsion fertilizers is about 5% Nitrogen, 2% Phosphorous, and 2% Potassium. It also contains micronutrients that are vital for promoting plant growth.
Adventurous gardeners make their own liquid fertilizer from fish. It's a smelly, messy process, but it could be economical for gardeners with a ready supply of fish waste.
Many organic fertilizers are slow acting. Not fish emulsion. The nutrients in fish emulsion are released almost immediately. That's why it is particularly good for seedlings and transplants--it gives them a jumpstart. Gardeners either water the diluted liquid fertilizer into the soil or spray their plants for a foliar feed.
Instructions must be followed in using fish emulsions as fertilizers because over-application can burn the roots of the plant. And be prepared for the strong odor but it wanes in a day or so. Since it is organic, the fertilizer must be used at once it has been diluted and it cannot be exposed to heat.
Once again, we need to repeat that organic growers need not worry that fish emulsion fertilizer is depleting our oceans of the important Menhaden fish or other fish that people need for food. Fish emulsion if primarily made from fish waste of the established animal feed and fish oil industries, which would have been dumped in landfills if not used. The organic label in fish emulsion fertilizers not only means natural, it also means environmentally safe. - 32395
About the Author:
Tina Hull is a respected authority in liquid organic fertilizer. To learn more, check out her website about liquid organic fertilizer.
