Kelp Meal

R69 - R1 365
INFORMATION

Description

Powdered Kelp Meal is made from 100% pure sundried Ecklonia maxima

Commonly known as brown seaweed, it is gathered on the West Coast of South Africa after being fed by the nutrient rich cold Benguela current that runs north from the Antarctic.

Our Powdered Kelp meal has natural plant growth stimulant that contains a natural balance of major and minor nutrients, key hormones, enzymes, amino acids, humic acids and other organic substances, totaling over 60 essential elements

Powdered Kelp Meal contains high levels of trace elements and a decent amount of phosphorous and potassium, which play a vital role in the formation of roots and building a strong immune system for your plant. Kelp meal is a great organic amendment to prepare your super soil.

Powdered Kelp Meal is also crucial in mid to later stages of growth for fruit bearing and flowering plants, ensuring good yields.

It has been proven that kelp meal can accelerate growth, increase fruiting and flowering, provide resistance to disease, insects and frost.


How we sustainably make our kelp products

The kelp is harvested in a concession area on the West Coast of South Africa. Dried kelp is beach cast kelp and is collected by hand from the high water mark or from the rocks as the sea disperses of it during high tide or stormy conditions. If it’s wet beach cast, it can be used for wet processing or left out to dehydrate in the sun. The beach cast product is collected and milled into chunks for easy transport to the processing plant.

Once Kelp is harvested, it is then washed with fresh water to rid it of excess sea salt and then it is dried and powdered. It is very important that it is harvested at just the right time to ensure that the cytokinin levels are at their peak. Cytokinins are growth hormones responsible for cell division in plants.

Transport permits and processing permits are required to do this. The processing factory has the correct Fish Processing Establishment (FPE) permits to process wet and dried kelp.

The dried kelp is now milled down to a size of 2-3mm or kelp meal 20#. There are no additives to this product, it is pure natural dried Ecklonia maxima. All regulations, reports and payments are made to DEFF (Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries) as required and sustainable “good practice” is strictly adhered to. Environmental impact assessments are done when required by DEFF.


Benefits

Trace Elements & Minerals Are Aided by a Carbohydrate Called Mannitol

All of the trace elements and minerals in Kelp Meal are aided by a carbohydrate called mannitol that chelates or makes certain minerals available. One of the problems of modern farming is enabling the plant to take up all of the nutrients to complete a healthy life cycle.

Chelates are very important in allowing plants to take up certain essential elements. What researchers have discovered is that with so many trace elements and minerals, vitamins and enzymes as well as growth hormones, kelp aids in building and supporting the plants natural immune system. If you can keep a plants immune system high it will have the ability to resist disease, insects, frost, and drought.

Growth Hormones 

Perhaps the most important aspect of kelp is the growth hormones. Kelp contains ample quantities of auxins, gibberellins, and cytokinins. All growth hormones play a part in how a plant functions, and are more accurately called growth regulators.

Kelp has very high amounts of a particular hormone, cytokinin. Cytokinins are responsible for cell division, cell enlargement, differentiation of cells, development of chloroplasts as well as a delay in ageing.

When kelp is used regularly you will notice that the overall health of the plant will increase and that when applied at certain times major growth will occur.

Great Source of Potassium (K)

A major nutrient group (NPK) needed in the whole life cycle of the plants in the vegetative and flowering stage.


    Benefits List

    • Rich in Potassium (K) 
    • Growth Hormones - Contains ample quantities of auxins, gibberellins and cytokinins.
    • Contains Mannitol - a great chelator (makes nutrients bioavailable)
    • Contains over 60 essential elements
    • Increased nutrient uptake in plants
    • Stronger root and leaf growth
    • Increased microbial activity in soil
    • Faster rooting & Improved seed germination
    • Higher marketable yields
    • Improved soil health
    • Builds up humus
    • Slow release plant food
    • Provides macro and micro nutrients
    • Improved disease and pest resistance
    • Improved water retention
    • Counter nearly any nutrient deficiencies


      Specifications

      Per kg of Kelp Meal:

      • Phosphorus (P) 17.27g
      • Potassium (K) 40.84g
      • Sulfur (S) 9.41g
      • Magnesium (Mg) 8g
      • Iron (Fe) 94.62 mg
      • Manganese (Mn) 25.14 mg
      • Copper (Cu) < 1 mg
      • Zinc (Zn) 11.59 mg
      • Boron (B) 111.9 mg
      • Molybdenum (Mo) < 1 mg


                  How to use

                  5ml = 1 teaspoon | 15ml = 1 Tablespoon | 240ml = 1 Cup

                  Organic amendment

                   

                  Soil Mix

                  • Dosage:
                    • 8ml Kelp Meal per 1L substrate
                    • 240ml Kelp Meal per 30L substrate
                  • Frequency: When mixing/revitalizing a substrate
                  • Application: 
                    • Get a container or set a tarp on the ground.
                    • Add the substrate, Kelp Meal and other organic soil amendments.
                    • Mix well and water lightly.
                    • Cover the soil to avoid pests and keep soil from drying out.
                    • Recommended to let the soil sit for approx. 2 months before use.

                  Top Dressing

                  • Dosage:
                    • 2ml Kelp Meal per 1L substrate
                    • 60ml Kelp Meal per 30L substrate
                  • Frequency: Apply every 3 weeks before a watering
                  • Application: 
                    • Evenly distributed on top of the substrate.
                    • Follow with a normal watering. Always use dechlorinated water for organics.
                    • Can top dress with other organic soil amendments at the same time.

                  Garden Bed Amendment

                  • Dosage: 240ml - 480ml Kelp Meal per m2 of garden bed
                  • Frequency: Applied every 6-8 weeks
                  • Application: 
                    • Evenly distributed on top of the soil.
                    • Follow with a normal watering. Always use dechlorinated water for organics.
                    • Can top dress with other organic soil amendments at the same time.

                  Compost

                  • Dosage: Use approx. 5kg Kelp Meal per m³
                  • Not more than 2% of total volume.
                  • Activate with composting soil microbes: Byodyne Environoc 501.

                  Worm Bin

                  • Feed your worms some Kelp Meal: The worms and microbes turn the kelp meal into a form the plant can use it, which helps produce some of the highest quality worm castings. What you put in is what you get out.


                    1L of Kelp Meal (approx. 600g)


                    For placement of large or bulk orders contact us at: office@greenhouston.co.za