Potassium deficiencies in aquaponics as well as in traditional soil gardens is quite common. In this article we will show and tell you what the deficiency looks like as well as what products to use to correct the issue. You can find the links at the bottom of the article as well as a brief description of how to use each.
The symptoms are as follows:
- Old Growth Affected First
- Plants Will Wilt In The Heat Of The Day
- Slight Marginal Chlorosis At First
- Cupping or Puckering Of Leaves
- Leaf Margins and Dying of The Tips of The Leaves
- Abnormal Fruit Development
Through years of growing in aquaponics in our own systems, we have found that for us as well as most others around the world see a potassium deficiency in there plants more often than any other nutrient deficiency. Next is iron deficiency and then magnesium deficiency.
There are several ways to treat a potassium deficiency, some quicker than others. Below is a list of the products that you can use to correct potassium deficiencies and to keep them at bay for a prolonged period.
A common misconception is that once you treat your system for any deficiency, it is gone for good. This is just not the case!
We have learned over the years to be proactive to keep our plants healthy and the produce we harvest full of the vitamins and minerals that we need in order to keep us healthy. For plants to do this, the correct minerals must be present in the system water or in the soil, or be sprayed on the plants.
Click on the product listing to view the products.
How to use!
TrueNute Potassium Silicate can be sprayed on the plants or added to the system water. It can raise the PH of your system, so you need to be careful not to add it to the system water if your PH is already high. When spraying it on, you will only use 1/2 a gram to a 1 gallon spay can of water, and the same for a soil drench, do this weekly. Use 1/2 of an ounce per 100 gallons of water in your aquaponics or hydroponics system water. Potassium silicate is also used to raise the PH of the system safely while adding potassium and silica both to the system. The benefits of the silica are tremendous. Remember to not raise your PH more than 0.2 per 24 hours so as not to stress your fish.
TrueNute Potassium Sulfate is very simple to use. Only add it to your system water, never spray it on. Add at a rate of 1/2 ounce per 1000 gallons weekly.
TrueNute Seaweed Extract can be used both as a spray or added directly to the system water. To add it to the system water, add at a rate of 1 ounce to 1000 gallons of system water per week. To spray it on, add two tablespoons of extract to one gallon of water, and then use 1/4 cup of the mix to a one gallon spray can, and fill it the rest of the way with water, then spray it weekly.
