Chelated iron is an iron supplement for plants lacking it, and it is created using a chelator that makes sure that the iron should be in a form that the plant can absorb. In this case Chelated liquid iron is iron that is chelated with manganese, copper, and zinc. Ironite is a lawn supplement that has a high concentration of Ironite which helps in making your lawn green as it aids the photosynthesis process. It manages to do this as it produced enzymes that produce chlorophyll by synthesizing proteins.
Here is a wider description of these two products.
Which One Is Better?
Ironite is better than chelated liquid iron because it does more than just provide iron for the plant. In addition to that, Ironite also leads to greener grass/plants as it enables the chlorophyll to function, it can do well with soils of different types, provides other essential nutrients which are not provided by chelated liquid iron and it does not need much water.
1. What is Ironite and chelated liquid iron
What Is Chelated liquid Iron?
Chelated iron is an iron supplement for plants lacking it, and it is created using a chelator that makes sure that the iron should be in a form that the plant can absorb. In this case Chelated liquid iron is iron that is chelated with manganese, copper, and zinc. This came about to help plants suffering from iron chlorosis, which is a situation in that plants lack iron as a result of failing to absorb the iron nutrients from the soil.
When is chelated liquid iron needed?
Micronutrients such as magnesium and iron help plants to grow well. Iron plays a big role in plants as it makes sure that chlorophyll occurs and develops, things that ensure a plant to have a healthy green color.
Iron also plays a role in energy transfer, iron fixation, and plant metabolism and respiration. When a plant is lacking enough iron, ensuring problems are likely to arise. Certain cases lead to plants having an iron deficiency and this is where chelated liquid iron comes in.
Causes of iron deficiency in plants
Most soils have high iron levels naturally and maybe it might as a surprise to you that there will be instances where plants have an iron deficiency. Mostly, it is not that the soil does not have iron but the plant lacking the ability to absorb the iron. Some of the causes include:
- High Soil pH
Iron will be unavailable to the roots of the plant for absorption if your soil has a pH reading of above 6.5, making it alkaline. Keep in mind that iron is a metal ion and it binds to other ions as a result of high pH levels. Iron might bind to calcium carbonate if exposed to high pH levels. This can be collected by altering the pH of your soil, to make it acidic.
- Leaching and Poor Soil
When conditions are not ideal, the iron can get leached, and such an instance can be overly wet soil. Too much moisture content would lead to the iron being drained away. Clay, compacted soils, and other poor soils can also inhibit the ability of the iron to be absorbed.
1.02 Ironite review
What is Ironite Fertilizer?
Ironite is a lawn supplement that has a high concentration of Ironite which helps in making your lawn green as it aids the photosynthesis process. It manages to do this as it produced enzymes that produce chlorophyll by synthesizing proteins.
A change in color to pale yellow is a sign that your grass is in lacks essential nutrients. What many people don’t know is that Ironite is an incomplete fertilizer. In most cases, Ironite can be used as a supplement to your lawn together with the fertilizer.
Ironite has the formula 1-0-1 which means that there is a low concentration of potassium and nitrogen. The grass on your lawn grows fast as a result of the water-soluble iron which is in high concentration in the ironite.
Although iron is in high concentration, Ironite also contains helpful elements like nitrogen, potassium, and manganese in small quantities.
Types of Ironite Fertilizers
Organic iron fertilizers: This type of Ironite comes from organic sources. The iron is quickly absorbed although it is slow-releasing over a long period. The organic sources in question are milorganite and greensand. Organic Ironite does not stain any concrete.
Synthetic iron fertilizers: these are the type that is fast-releasing and your lawn can turn grey if this type is applied in excess. They produce very fast and instant results since they are fast-releasing.
Forms of Ironite
Granular ironite: granules are the form of this irony and they can be sprayed directly on the grass with the aid of a broadcast spreader. The grass has to be sprayed just after spraying the granular ironite for maximum results.
Liquid ironite: this exists in a liquid form and the spraying is done is using a sprayer tank or a spray container. Liquid ironite aids the grass blades in absorbing the supplement and a faster result is encouraged. Liquid ironite will be suitable if you wish for an immediate impact. Alkaline Sandy soil works best with liquid ironite.
When to use Ironite
Regular fertilizer can be applied together with Ironite. It is highly recommended that Ironite must be applied 4 times a year while it is combined with your regular fertilizer but see to it that it must not be used more than 10 times per year.
Why Use Ironite for Lawns Instead of Regular Fertilizer?
There must be a reason why people prefer Ironite over regular N-P-K fertilizers. The reason is that Ironite does a better job at greening your lawn than how traditional fertilizers would do it. Ironite seeks to eradicate the root cause of the pale color. A test is required to see if the yellow color of the grass is a result of iron deficiency.
The rate of growth is of much emphasis in this case. A high nitrogen addition will lead to the fast growth of the grass which implies frequent mowing of the grass but Ironite also encourages green lawns but the growth is slow which implies less mowing of the grass.
2. Benefits of Ironite vs. benefits of Chelated liquid iron
Benefits of using Chelated liquid iron
- It is fairly easy to use
- It works effectively and better results are achieved
- It is affordable to an average grower
- It exists in various types
Benefits of Using Ironite
It requires less water which will greatly help in cutting the water bill costs.
Ironite can work with all types of soils
Other plants can also make use of Ironite. Such plants include trees and shrubs
The grass will become greener while growing at a slow pace which will mean fewer jobs in mowing the grass.
Ironite works at a faster rate. In just a matter of weeks, the appearance and feel of your lawn will be greatly improved and this does not even need much water.
3. Drawbacks to Ironite and drawbacks to chelated liquid iron
Drawbacks of using Chelated liquid iron
- This is not a permanent solution
- It requires to be applied again now and then
Drawbacks of Using Ironite
When there is contact between Ironite and concrete, the concrete ends up being stained permanently and walkways can also be stained.
There is a high risk of damage being caused to the lawns and might results in a grayish tone since it is easy to be applied in excess.
It might be safe in terms of home use, but it can be a source of metal leakage, more especially lead and arsenic.
4. Which organic fertilizer is better, Ironite or chelated liquid iron, and why
By now, you must have a clue on which one is better. Here are a few tips to widen your knowledge of these two.
For A Greener Lawn
Ironite contains enough iron for this although the chelated liquid iron will also enable the plant to form chlorophyll to be used in photosynthesis for the plant to become greener.
For Improved Soil Quality
Ironite has essential nutrients which can have a positive role on the soil, which is not the case mostly with chelated liquid iron which only works to restore the plant’s ability to absorb iron.
For a Shortage of Nutrients
Ironite contains many essential nutrients which are used by the plant, unlike chelated liquid iron.
5. Where can you buy either one of these in your area
Visit any agro dealer shops in your local area or you can order them online.
FAQ About Ironite and Chelated liquid iron
Can I use Ironite and Chelated liquid iron together?
They can be used together since they all aim at increasing the amount of iron absorbed by the plant.
How to Use Chelated Liquid Iron
This liquid iron can be made into foliar sprays. The foliage of the entire plant can be sprayed. The leaves which are to show signs of iron deficiency will show some improvement and will attain their healthy-looking and green state again since chlorophyll will now be formed again.
How to use Ironite fertilizer?
Choose the form of Ironite that needs to be used. Soil that has a high pH will work well with liquid Ironite. This is to make sure that the blades absorb the roots more efficiently as the roots find difficulties in absorbing Ironite when the soil is alkaline. Loamy or clay soils work well with granular Ironite.
This has to be done with protective gear on. Use one ounce of spray per 100 square feet. Once the spraying has been done, deep watering must be done and action must be allowed to take place.
Conclusion
Chelated liquid iron seeks to solve the problem of iron deficiency in plants, by making sure the plants absorb the iron that is found in the soil. Ironite has a high concentration of iron which enables the plants to become greener as it helps in the photosynthesis process by enabling the chlorophyll to function.
Pingback: Ironite vs Ammonium Sulfate: Which One is Better? - Home & Garden