Maxicrop vs Neptunes Harvest

[frogwash]

Who uses what and why?
Is one better than the other?
Also, is fish-seaweed better than just fish?
Thanks.

[dice]

Seaweed (kelp) has plant enzymes, etc not in fish emulsion,
so one would expect that fish-seaweed would be better than
a fish only product. Kelp may have trace elements not in fish
emulsion, too, but that would take some searching to be sure
about.

I have not used Neptune's Harvest. I do have some Maxicrop
kelp this year. It is a little early to tell if it has the usual benefits
(I have used Algamin kelp meal before).

Which one seems to be the better deal for the money?

[mdvpc]

Saltwater Farms has a fish/seaweed combo that I use that is fantastic. The owner is a member here.

http://www.saltwaterseaweed.com/stor...&product_id=51

[RayR]

A fish/seaweed combo is best for general use as a fertilizer. You get the benefits of both very different ingredients.
Some products made with fish may be made with "Fish Hydrolysate" and others with "Fish Emulsion". Fish Emulsion is the left over stuff from heat processing to extract the oils and proteins for other uses. Fish Hydrolysate is considered better quality because it is cold processed and retains all the natural oils and proteins.
Products like Neptune's Harvest and Drammatic specify that they are made from Fish Hydrolysate, others are not so clear in their description of ingredients.

[frogwash]

Part of why i asked was Neptunes Harvest shows: "Fish and Seaweed Fertilizer 2 – 3 – 1"

While Maxicrop Liquid Seaweed & Fish say: "3.0 - 1.0 - 1.0"
Guaranteed Analysis
Total Nitrogen (N): 3.0%
0.30% Ammoniacal Nitrogen
0.45% Water Insoluble Nitrogen
2.25% Other Water Soluble Nitrogen
Available Phosphoric Acid (P205): 1.0%
Soluble Potash (K2O): 1.0%
Derived from ascophllum nodosum seaweed and fish
Chlorine (Cl) not more than 4.0%

And Saltwater Farms shows: "Liquid Seaweed/Fish Fertilizer (3-2-2)"

So now I say: "HUNH?!?"

[dice]

Well, Algamin kelp meal, which is kelp only, is listed at 1-0-2:
http://www.biconet.com/soil/algaminKelpMeal.html

So the end N-P-K of a fish/seaweed product would kind
of depend on how much of what kind of fish, how it was
processed, and how much kelp is in the mix, even if the
manufacturer did not add anything else but kelp and fish.

[panhandler]

I have a triple combo of Maxicrop Soluble Powder 1-0-4 as well as Neptune's Harvest Liquid Fish Hydrolysate and Neptune's Harvest Fish/Seaweed Blend for watering. I only have them for periodic waterings only for the high dollar per square foot veggies. They're all top notch OMRI-listed products. If I could only use one, it would be the Neptunes Fish/Seaweed blend because it's a tremendous root crop fertilizer too. It's an expensive way to feed plants so I would prefer to amend the soil/mix with alfalfa meal, bone meal, soft rock phosphate, greensand, dolomite, or similar bulk solids prior to planting. But those add up fast as well.

I like the idea of having a diverse array of fertilizers. Slow release plus fast liquids = less trouble. The Maxicrop Soluble Powder stretches a good bit and is a fast potassium fix and if you buy the Neptune's by the gallon it's a more cost-effective approach overall.

[surf4grrl]

As someone mentioned - saltwater farms has an excellent product. I've used both products you mentioned and the saltwater farms PGR is superior in my opinion. I use it with drip irrigation but you can use it with foliar feed etc.

[Mischka]

Originally Posted by surf4grrl

As someone mentioned - saltwater farms has an excellent product. I've used both products you mentioned and the saltwater farms PGR is superior in my opinion. I use it with drip irrigation but you can use it with foliar feed etc.

I agree 100% with surf4grrl.

I've tried all three: Maxicrop, Neptune's Harvest and Saltwater Farm's Seacom/PGR and SeaStartPGR.

The most effectual of the three brands hands down, for me is →→→ ★Saltwater Farms★.

This is what I use to fertilize my seedlings, as well as for foliar feeding treatments throughout the season. It's never clogged my backpack sprayer nozzle (Maxicrop did ) and a little goes a long way, which makes it very economical, too.

Edited to add that I firmly believe that folks should find and use what works best for them. Different growing conditions contribute to what works best for us all.

[strax]

I have used maxicrop and searich from gardens alive. the searich gave much better results, however, it is overpriced and i've been looking for an alternative, but didnt know what my options were, so thank you for starting this thread!

is there a benefit to using SeaCom over SeaStart?

also i'm a bit curious that the n is 0. other kelp products have n listed at 1, 2 or 3. as the only fertilizer for my seedlings, I am thinking that it would be a good idea to add some nitrogen. maybe from the seawee/fish combo. any thoughts?

thanks

strax

[Granite26]

Ok so from saltwater farms it looks like many are using seacom-pgr vs liquid seaweed/fish fertilizer. Can anyone give me thoughts on one vs the other? Thanks!

[John3]

Originally Posted by surf4grrl

As someone mentioned - saltwater farms has an excellent product. I've used both products you mentioned and the saltwater farms PGR is superior in my opinion. I use it with drip irrigation but you can use it with foliar feed etc.

PGR - which one
SeaCom-PGR (0-4-4)
SeaStart-PGR (0-4-4)

[Mischka]

SeaStart-PGR (0-4-4)

SeaStart was developed at the request of growers who wanted a seaweed product with enhanced vitamin supplements. SeaStart begins with a true liquid seaweed extract that has been condensed to a level many times more powerful than our regular extract. To this we add Vitamin B1, B2, B5, B6, Vitamin C, Folic Acid, Biotin and Pantothenic Acid. SeaStart is diluted with water and applied as a soil soak or most effectively as a foliar spray.

SeaStart is mixed at rate of 1 tsp. per gallon of water.


SeaCom-PGR (0-4-4)

SeaCom-PGR is a liquid plant growth regulator formulated to provide a high concentration (400 ppm) of the natural plant growth hormone, cytokinin. Cytokinin, combined with the diverse micronutrients in seaweed, leads to enhanced crop growth, increased yields, and healthier, more productive plants.

SeaCom is mixed at a rate of 1 tsp. per gallon of water.


Liquid Seaweed/Fish Fertilizer (3-2-2)

Liquid Seaweed/Fish combines our liquid seaweed with fish solubles to meet the complete nutritional needs of your plants. Seaweed is a natural source of micronutrients, and fish solubles are a natural source of major nutrients. In addition, the plant growth hormones found in the seaweed extract are more effective in fueling growth when combined with the nutrients found in the fish solubles. 



Liquid Seaweed/Fish is mixed at a rate of 3 tbsp. per gallon of water, or 2 gallons per acre.


Link to sourced material product page

[strax]

Thanks Mischka,

I saw that info already, but it doesnt answer my questions.

anyone have some input?

[Mischka]

I use both SeaCom PGR and SeaStart PGR because I want my seedlings (and plants) to benefit from the cytokinin, which is more concentrated in both formulations.

I've done side-by-side comparisons on flats of same variety seedlings, one treated with SeaStart and one without and there's been a noticeable difference in seedling size and stem thickness.

I'm always skeptical of fertilizer mfr. claims, but this product made a believer out of me. I've been very tempted to try their fish/seaweed combo but negative past experiences with the local critter population has taught me not to put anything fish-derived on my plants.

I live on the border of a 5000 acre state forest and all kinds of animals come down and visit my place, especially after sunset. I have to keep electrified fencing and netting around my animal enclosures and my gardens.