What is fish emulsion?
Fish emulsion comes primarily from the processing of a fish called the
menhaden, but it could theoretically come from many types of fish.
These fish are cooked and pressed to extract their oils,
and some of the solid by-products are further boiled down to create
fish emulsion. Fish emulsion is mixed with some chemicals including
phosphoric acid to make sure it is suitable for storage and shipping, but chemicals
are used in such small amounts that fish emulsion is still certified
as organic in origin.
Fertilizing With Fish Emulsion
Many organic fertilizers are effective but slow acting, because they
have to decay before their nutrients are released. Fish emulsion, on the
other hand, is the closest an organic fertilizer can get to instant to
gratification, because its nutrients are released immediately. However,
it is still a relatively mild fertilizer.
What makes fish emulsion particularly attractive to the desert gardener
is that it does not add salinity to the soil like chemical fertilizers
do, and it also acidic in nature. Therefore, it is an excellent way
to get nutrition to salt sensitive plants without damaging them.
Use Of Fish Emulsion At Phoenix Tropicals
I have found fish emulsion to be very good for my more salt sensitive plants that
are too easily burned with chemical fertilizers. I use the 5-1-1 formula
(5% nitrogen, and 1% phosphorus and potassium) and have used
it on Mangoes, Guavas, and more and these plants have responded with new growth, darker green
in their leaves, and no noticable increase in salt burn.
I am still conservative when applying it
for the first time, just to be safe, especially
with the most sensitive plants.
One of the downsides of fish emulsion is that
its direct effects are short lasting so it does need to be applied more frequently
than chemical fertilizers. Also, because it is mild, it is difficult to get
enough nutrition to very hungry plants such as bananas and passion fruit. It is more
efficient to use chemical fertilizers with these plants since they do not burn very
Fish emulsion is fairly stinky so it is best to be careful not to spill it on yourself
and try to keep it off your hands and clothes. Once
diluted in water, as described in the instructions, and applied to the soil, it only has a
mild odor and is not even noticeable after several days.
Fish emulsion also comes in a 0-10-10 formula which is harder to find. I usually end up buying
it on the internet. 0-10-10 really helps with plants that are more hungry for these elements,
but it is a little bit more harsh than the 5-1-1 so more caution should be taken when using it.
Links to more fish emulsion information
Rainy Side Gardeners Fish Fertilizer
Organic Gardener Fish Emulsion and Fish Meal