A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

I called two more garden centers yesterday. One can order Potash, and the
other may have 2 bags in storage. I have to call back today. I was told by
one that it was difficult to get because it is the prime ingredient in bombs
used to blow up buildings in Oklahoma. I don't know if that is true, but
living this close to DC, I guess it could make sense. Anyway, still no
potash in hand, and my plants are yellowing.

--
BenignVanilla
Pond Site: www.darofamily.com/jeff/links/mypond

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

Do you have a store that specializes in hydroponics anywhere around where
you live? That's where I found mine. You pay through the nose for it
compared to "regular" garden centers, but if you can't find it cheaply, it
may be better to get it ANYwhere and have it while you're looking for a
"cheap" supply. I think I got a 3 lb. box for $5 or so . . . you only need a
Tbs. per 1,000 gallons, so it's still relatively inexpensive.

Lee

"BenignVanilla" wrote in message
...
I called two more garden centers yesterday. One can order Potash, and the
other may have 2 bags in storage. I have to call back today. I was told by
one that it was difficult to get because it is the prime ingredient in
bombs
used to blow up buildings in Oklahoma. I don't know if that is true, but
living this close to DC, I guess it could make sense. Anyway, still no
potash in hand, and my plants are yellowing.

--
BenignVanilla
Pond Site: www.darofamily.com/jeff/links/mypond

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

Nice pictures on the website. I am in MD also, my lillies are doing the same
thing. I thought it was just life cycle. New pads are stsrting to pop up.
Joann
"BenignVanilla" wrote in message
...
I called two more garden centers yesterday. One can order Potash, and the
other may have 2 bags in storage. I have to call back today. I was told by
one that it was difficult to get because it is the prime ingredient in
bombs
used to blow up buildings in Oklahoma. I don't know if that is true, but
living this close to DC, I guess it could make sense. Anyway, still no
potash in hand, and my plants are yellowing.

--
BenignVanilla
Pond Site: www.darofamily.com/jeff/links/mypond

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

BV wrote the prime ingredient in bombs

Here's an interesting article about another ponder's useful item, potassium
permanganate,
and the law......

http://members.aol.com/roark7/private/pprant.htm


k30a
yearly brother website posting
http://www.30acreimaging.com/

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

"FBCS" wrote in message
...
Nice pictures on the website. I am in MD also, my lillies are doing the
same
thing. I thought it was just life cycle. New pads are stsrting to pop up.
Joann

My lettuce is yellowing. My Lotus is yellowing. My lilies are yellowing.
This has got to be a nutrient issue.

BV.

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 08:59:11 -0400, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:
I was told by
one that it was difficult to get because it is the prime ingredient in bombs
used to blow up buildings in Oklahoma. I don't know if that is true

Not true ... IIRC Ammonium Nitrate is the chemical they used
while also a fertilizer it is not related to potash...


(no) potash in hand, and my plants are yellowing.

FWIW potash encourages growth .. more and bigger leaves/longer
stems and roots. If your plants are yellowing you need to
encourage photosyntheses ... to do this you are looking at adding

Nitrogen
Iron
Magnesium
Sulphur

Since adding Nitrogen can cause an algae bloom I prefer to start
by adding epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) at 1 tsp/1000 gallons
then chealated Iron 7% at 1/2 tsp /1000

If this does not help and it looks like I need to add nitrogen I
remove plants and start feeding the fish more they can supply the
nitrogen.

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

"ajames54" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 08:59:11 -0400, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:
I was told by
one that it was difficult to get because it is the prime ingredient in
bombs
used to blow up buildings in Oklahoma. I don't know if that is true

Not true ... IIRC Ammonium Nitrate is the chemical they used
while also a fertilizer it is not related to potash...


(no) potash in hand, and my plants are yellowing.

FWIW potash encourages growth .. more and bigger leaves/longer
stems and roots. If your plants are yellowing you need to
encourage photosyntheses ... to do this you are looking at adding

Nitrogen
Iron
Magnesium
Sulphur

Since adding Nitrogen can cause an algae bloom I prefer to start
by adding epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) at 1 tsp/1000 gallons
then chealated Iron 7% at 1/2 tsp /1000

If this does not help and it looks like I need to add nitrogen I
remove plants and start feeding the fish more they can supply the
nitrogen.

Would it be a viable solution to start feeding my fish a bit now?

BV.

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

"ajames54" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 08:59:11 -0400, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:
I was told by
one that it was difficult to get because it is the prime ingredient in
bombs
used to blow up buildings in Oklahoma. I don't know if that is true

Not true ... IIRC Ammonium Nitrate is the chemical they used
while also a fertilizer it is not related to potash...


(no) potash in hand, and my plants are yellowing.

FWIW potash encourages growth .. more and bigger leaves/longer
stems and roots. If your plants are yellowing you need to
encourage photosyntheses ... to do this you are looking at adding

Nitrogen
Iron
Magnesium
Sulphur

Since adding Nitrogen can cause an algae bloom I prefer to start
by adding epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) at 1 tsp/1000 gallons
then chealated Iron 7% at 1/2 tsp /1000

If this does not help and it looks like I need to add nitrogen I
remove plants and start feeding the fish more they can supply the
nitrogen.

Would it be a viable solution to start feeding my fish a bit now?

BV.

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

"ajames54" wrote in message
...
snip
Since adding Nitrogen can cause an algae bloom I prefer to start
by adding epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) at 1 tsp/1000 gallons
then chealated Iron 7% at 1/2 tsp /1000

If this does not help and it looks like I need to add nitrogen I
remove plants and start feeding the fish more they can supply the
nitrogen.

Since I seem to have some difficulty in finding additives in my area, what
are your thoughts on using some standard fertilizers in small quantities?
Dissolved into the pond water? Maybe plant spikes for the pots in question?

BV.

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

BenignVanilla wrote:
"ajames54" wrote in message
...
snip

Since adding Nitrogen can cause an algae bloom I prefer to start
by adding epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) at 1 tsp/1000 gallons
then chealated Iron 7% at 1/2 tsp /1000

If this does not help and it looks like I need to add nitrogen I
remove plants and start feeding the fish more they can supply the
nitrogen.


Since I seem to have some difficulty in finding additives in my area, what
are your thoughts on using some standard fertilizers in small quantities?
Dissolved into the pond water? Maybe plant spikes for the pots in question?

BV.

cobining answers to two posts here

if your plants and most of thier roots are in the pot yes the fert
sticks would work.

I suppose you can have too many plants, and run low on nutrients, what I
have been doing since my stock of fertilizer makers has gone way down
and my plants are not poted is add a package of Miracle grow to the
veggie filter when the plants start lookin poorly.
if you do this youll have to guestimate the dosage, I add one pk to 5000
gallons, it did spark a small algae bloom, giving the water a slight
green tint



--





John Rutz
Z5 New Mexico

never miss a good oportunity to shut up

see my pond at:

http://www.fuerjefe.com

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 11:12:07 -0400, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:

"ajames54" wrote in message
.. .
snip
Since adding Nitrogen can cause an algae bloom I prefer to start
by adding epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) at 1 tsp/1000 gallons
then chealated Iron 7% at 1/2 tsp /1000

If this does not help and it looks like I need to add nitrogen I
remove plants and start feeding the fish more they can supply the
nitrogen.

Since I seem to have some difficulty in finding additives in my area, what
are your thoughts on using some standard fertilizers in small quantities?
Dissolved into the pond water? Maybe plant spikes for the pots in question?

BV.

(many/most) fertilizers use the anhydrous ammonia for the
Nitrogen component .. this can be dangerous. Years ago I almost
killed my fish by using a plant spike as recommended by my pond
store. ... Before using any of them I would recommend testing
them by taking a few gallons of pond water out and putting a tiny
amount of the fertilizer in that water .. then test for ammonia
and nitrates. If the ammonia levels don't change then you should
be safe (but check you fish carefully just in case).


If you can't find things specifically for ponds, here are some
other ways to get what you are after

Nitrogen - Potassium Nitrate is the most harmless way to add it
(other than adding fish waste) it can sometimes be found at a
drug store under its own name or Salt Peter (sometimes available
at garden stores as salt peter). It is also ingredient in most
stump removers, stump rotters so a decent hardware store should
have it. The potassium is also important and would reduce the
need for potash...

Potash is Potassium and is available in a number of ways...
As above is one way but not the best... you would need to dose
your pond to the Nitrate level that would still leave you short
of Potassium.
At a good garden store it would be sold as either
Muriate of Potash (Potassium Chloride)
Sulfate of Potash (Potassium Sulfate)
0-0-22 fertilizer
0-0-60 fertilizer
The good thing about Potash is that it is very hard to overdose.

Sulfate of Potash also provides sulfur which is an important
micro nutrient.

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

"johnrutz" wrote in message
...
snip
if your plants and most of thier roots are in the pot yes the fert
sticks would work.

I suppose you can have too many plants, and run low on nutrients, what I
have been doing since my stock of fertilizer makers has gone way down
and my plants are not poted is add a package of Miracle grow to the
veggie filter when the plants start lookin poorly.
if you do this youll have to guestimate the dosage, I add one pk to 5000
gallons, it did spark a small algae bloom, giving the water a slight
green tint
snip

Do you mean the powder? That is fish safe? I have some MG at home now, and
could do it tonight.

BV.

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

ajames54 wrote:
On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 11:12:07 -0400, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:

Since I seem to have some difficulty in finding additives in my area, what
are your thoughts on using some standard fertilizers in small quantities?
Dissolved into the pond water? Maybe plant spikes for the pots in question?

BV, I found potassium permanganate (Fer-Sul) and potassium chloride
(potash) at Culligan's this week. Maybe check to see if there's a
Culligan's in your area, or other water treatment company. (Wendy in
Oregon, thanks for that tip -- couldn't find potash at any local garden
stores including Coastal Farm.)
[I haven't seen the original message in this thread yet, so don't know
if this is a complete answer to your question.]
--
Kathy B, zookeeper
3500gal pond, 13 pond piggies
Oregon, Zone 6

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

"BenignVanilla" wrote:

"ajames54" wrote in message
.. .
snip
Since adding Nitrogen can cause an algae bloom I prefer to start
by adding epsom salts (Magnesium Sulphate) at 1 tsp/1000 gallons
then chealated Iron 7% at 1/2 tsp /1000

If this does not help and it looks like I need to add nitrogen I
remove plants and start feeding the fish more they can supply the
nitrogen.

Since I seem to have some difficulty in finding additives in my area, what
are your thoughts on using some standard fertilizers in small quantities?
Dissolved into the pond water? Maybe plant spikes for the pots in question?

I saw a bag of potassium cloride in the water softner salt section of my
local home center.

It is used by people that are sodium sensitive for their water softner.

A Quest for Fire...I mean...Potash
 

"zookeeper" wrote in message
...
ajames54 wrote:
On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 11:12:07 -0400, "BenignVanilla"
wrote:

Since I seem to have some difficulty in finding additives in my area,
what
are your thoughts on using some standard fertilizers in small
quantities?
Dissolved into the pond water? Maybe plant spikes for the pots in
question?

BV, I found potassium permanganate (Fer-Sul) and potassium chloride
(potash) at Culligan's this week. Maybe check to see if there's a
Culligan's in your area, or other water treatment company. (Wendy in
Oregon, thanks for that tip -- couldn't find potash at any local garden
stores including Coastal Farm.)
[I haven't seen the original message in this thread yet, so don't know
if this is a complete answer to your question.]

I just called them. They said they had pellets, but nobody was available in
the retail dept. so I'll have to call back for price and availability.

So do you think I could crush the pellets? Or just toss a few in and let
them dissolve in the VF?

BV.