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 Seabird Guano - 100% Natural Organic Fertilizer
Provided by The Guano Company
The word guano originated from the Quichua language of the Inca civilization and means "the droppings of seabirds." It is a misnomer to refer to bat dung as guano. As the word is used today, guano describes both bat and seabird manure. The most famous guano was that used by the Inca. The guano would collect on the rain-less islands and coast of Peru. Atmospheric conditions insured a minimal loss of nutrients. There is very little leaching of valuable material, nor is there a considerable loss of nitrogenous matter. For this the Inca would guard and regulate the treasured soil enricher. Access to the guano deposits were restricted to chosen caretakers. Disrupting the rookeries could result in punishment by death.
Guano had become a very important part of the development of agriculture in the United States. During the peak of guano age drastic steps were taken to maintain a supply for the U.S. farmer. "On August 18, 1856, Congress passed an act to authorize protection to be given to citizens of the United States who may discover guano, under which any citizen of the U.S. was authorized to take possession of and occupy any unclaimed island, rock or key containing seabird guano. The discoveries of such islands were entitled to exclusive rights to the deposits thereon, but the guano could only be used of citizens of the United States."
A chemical analysis for seabird guano would only be an approximation of the actual nutritional plant food value. This completely natural material will benefit the plant and soil system without magical ingredients. Variations of nutrients can occur. The variations of nutrients enable growers to pick a guano high in nitrogen or phosphorous or both, as well as various trace elements. By labeling a guano high-nitrogen, it is intended to inform the grower that it should be used for its nitrogen but the guano will also contain phosphorous, potassium and micronutrients. Similarly, a high-phosphorous will also have some nitrogen, potassium and micronutrients.
Nutrients in guano are as different as there are a variety of producers, food sources and environmental constraints. Seabirds eat strictly small fish and are not scavengers. Bat guano is available from one source that thrives on fruit, while another source feasts on insects. Guano can be fresh, semi-fossilized and will be a factor, among others, on the nutrient content when used. Colors have been associated with the geological terms, but are not good indication of age. White, yellow and red are the colors for fresh, semi-fossilized guano, respectively. The amount of moisture present during the aging process will also contribute to the final nutrient level. All parameters must be examined to say a guano is of good quality.
Guano is provided in the ready to use condition, thoroughly aged to the vintage state of a good organic fertilizer. Guano can be used inside or outdoors for all living plants. Guano supplies fast and slow release nutrients to the biological system. Apply the pure guano in smaller amounts than ordinary barnyard or poultry manure. Applied as a top dressing and worked into the soil or mixed with water and applied, guano will have a dramatic influence. Hydroponic growers, in contrast to normal hydroponics, are finding that guano and water are a natural alternative to chemical solution. Use nitrogen guano for growth, phosphorous guano for budding and all guano for your plants general health and well being. Guano can be blended with topsoil before laying sod or grass seed wand while planting trees and shrubs. Add guano to your container growing mix for a supercharged potting soil.
Average application of all guano is 1/2 to 2 pounds per 100 sq. ft. of vegetable/flower garden once during the growing season. A liquid guano solution can be applied more often. Mix 1 cup guano into 5 gallons of water. About 1-2 cups of the 1:5 mixture per 5 gallons of water. One application of liquid guano of liquid guano every second week will be enough to gauge future applications. Specific applications rates are difficult to quote since this is a natural material. Some plants will use more or less depending on type, soil condition and nutrient demand. Seedlings and young tender plants do not need much fertilizer, if any is to be used, mix 1-2 heaping tablespoons per one gallon of potting soil or use a liquid solution. When planting trees and shrubs mix 1/2 cup guano into the hole. Use 1/4 cup guano when growing roses. After roses are established, more guano can be used. All garden vegetables will benefit from the nutrient rich guano. Leafy greens prefer high-nitrogen. Fruiting and budding plants prefer a dose of nitrogen and an application of high-phosphorous guano. High-phosphorous guano can be applied at the same time as the nitrogen, grow guano, to eliminate one step. If the plants are growing too much, do not continue nitrogen guano applications near the turning point for fruits/buds, at this time the phosphorous, flowering guano, is most appreciated.
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