I use them both - the liquid I add to the watering can sometimes, for things that need a boost, and the dried form I use as part of my organic fertilizer routine.

The liquid is also popular for foliar feeding - spraying directly onto plant leaves in a diluted solution. Gardening author Steve Solomon, whose book Water-Wise Vegetables puts forth a method of veg gardening with practically no irrigation, does a lot of foliar feeding.

My dog likes to eat the dried stuff. I believe it has a lot of minerals.
-O

Where do you get it dry? I've only seen it in 20 kilo bags special ordered from Canada.

I did a search on the internet. 3rlighting.com sold it in powder form. I have not purchased any. They had instructions on how to use it for foliar feeding.

I get kelp meal from Fedco/Organic Grower's Supply.
-O

Are you referring to the soluble powdered kelp?I use Maxicrop & you mix it in water to apply.I foliar feed w/ it & use it as a soil drench - esp. for seedlings/transplants.

It's much more economical than the liquid - IOW, you get more for your $$.

Other than that, I don't know of any difference.

The kelp meal I get is not quite powder and I don't think it would dissolve. I wonder if they charge more or less for the powdery form.
-O

I take simple packs ($2.00 each) of seaweed or kelp from the local oriential grocery store, and soak them in a 5 gallon bucket of water, with a few tblsp of molasses for faster decomposition and more microbial action, for about 1-2 weeks.

Much cheaper than buying it from commercial sustainable fertilizer vendors.

Hi Cap'n = )

Your post got me cogitating....

I'm trying to do some mental math here - you say perhaps $4.00/5 gal? So, perhaps .80/gallon?

The seaweed powder I buy is approx. $15.00/10.7 oz.(that's incl. S&H) - @ 1 tsp. pdr per gallon of water, I'm guess-timating I get more than 50 gallons (or more) of seaweed liquid from 1 jar of powder.

Doesn't that make Maxicrop more economical?

But I don't buy mine from a commercial sustainable fertiliser vendor - @ least I don't think I do.(I think I got it from Peaceful Valley Farm Supply)

FWIW

It is true, that most commercial sustainable seaweed fertilizing products use more concentrated versions of seaweed, or a special variety of seaweed or kelp that is harvested and used by most sustainable farmers.

However, the real truth is it doesn't matter that much, if you are already using lots of compost and/or green manures, or aerated compost tea recipes, in your soil building anyway.

I talked to a supplier and was told that the liquid will mold over time and keeping it cool will help slow this down. I live in a hot climate and buy the powder so I just mix what I will use. This also lowers the shipping cost. The powder must be kept dry or it will turn to paste which is still usable, but messy. I'll repack the powder into smaller airtight container to try and keep it dry. I was given a gal, not sure what brand, of the liquid as a gift and used it for several years with no noticable mold problems, but it did thicken up. Think it is really a matter of availabitity, cost, and personal preference. Kelp is sold as a meal or as an extract of the meal in liquid or powder form and provides some 60 trace elements and growth promoting hormones and enzymes. The meal is a slow release and the sprays and drenches are more quickly absorbed. I like to have both methods available. Hope that helps.

You can find kelp powder for ~$5/lb online at health food/drug retailers. It is true that it really doesn't disolve but is useful to make tea as long as it is strained afterward or a "tea bag" is used.

Dchall_San_Antonio, I buy the soluble powder from Sea Born, 1-800-457-5013. It isn't cheap (but not too bad) with the shipping, but the 10.4 oz. bag lasts me for several years. If you call they will send you a list of the products they carry, cost, and shipping information. You may find a closer source, but these people are helpful, nice, and prompt.

Thanks Peggy. After doing a reasonable thorough search, I take it they don't have a website.

Dchall_San_Antonio, They do have email to answer questions: wdunkel@mchsi.com , but no web site.

We are a professional seaweed powder manufacutre of China. Any customers who need this product,please contact with me for more details.
My email is :qingdaohaichang@yahoo.cn
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