Long before synthetic fertilizers began to be sold on a massive scale in nurseries and garden centers, farmers and gardeners cared for their plants solely and exclusively with natural products. And nothing bad could have gone wrong for them, especially when they used bat guano .
With him, all the crops had everything they needed, and of course, they had an enviable growth and development. Fortunately, it seems that little by little we are going back to using natural things, and this fertilizer is once again taking up its space on the shelf. But what is it that makes it so effective?
Index
- 1 What is guano?
- 2 How is it used?
What is guano?
Bats are mammals that live in caves, on the roofs of old houses and in those places where they can take refuge from the sun and inclement weather. Over the course of days, massive amounts of droppings end up accumulating at the bottom of their homes . This fecal compound is called guano, which is a powerful fertilizer for plants.
The nutrients it contains vary depending on what the animal has ingested and the age of the droppings. The oldest waste from animals that have eaten mainly insects have a high nitrogen content , while those that come from those that have eaten mainly fruit contain more phosphorus. But they not only contain these two essential nutrients.
Bat guano is also composed of potassium, amino acids, microelements, and also fungi, bacteria and actinomycetes that have very beneficial effects on the soil and on the root system of plants , keeping them protected from those microorganisms that cause diseases. And if this seems little to you, you should know that it stabilizes the pH of the soil and the substrates, and improves water retention.
How is it used?
Today it is easy to find it for sale, either in powder or liquid form. The first is ideal for applying directly to the ground, while the second is ideal for pots. As it is so rich in nutrients, it is enough to add a very small amount at a time. In general, two or three tablespoons are enough for a seven-liter container , but this amount can be higher if they are large plants that are in the garden.
You always have to read the label on the container and follow its instructions because, even if it is a natural product, if we go overboard with the dose, problems could arise.
Have you heard of bat guano?
