ICL peters guide by ICL Growing Solutions

Product Use Guide

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION • Peters® Brands • History of Peters® Innovation PROPER SELECTION BASICS • The Importance of Selecting the Right Fertilizer • Selection Criteria GETTING STARTED • Irrigation Water and Testing • Adjusting Excess Alkalinity • Using the Patented Peters® A B+C Selection System to Grow Better Crops • Selecting the Correct Concentration BEST PRACTICES MANAGEMENT • Proper Mixing in Concentrated Stock Tanks • Injector Settings and Maintenance • Ensuring Complete Solubility • Fertilizer Compatibility Guidelines • Monitoring Water Soluble Fertilizer Programs /ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab • Water Soluble Fertilizer Appearance/Properties/Dye • Proper Storage APPENDIX • Weights and Measurements Charts • Overall Chart

Introduction

THE ONE. THE ONLY. THE ORIGINAL. Peters® is the water soluble fertilizer brand more professional growers have trusted for generations. Consistent, reliable performance and expert technical support are reasons why this trust continues today. Continually innovating Peters® brand fertilizers has led to a number of advantages that include: • Elevated grades of highly soluble pure ingredients that are precision blended and backed by extensive QA and R&D. • Support by the ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab service coupled with an extensive network of field-based technical experts. • The Peters® A B+C Selection System is structured around water quality. The key to which are both solubility and nutrient availability. • The exclusive M-77® Micronutrient System—a proprietary resource that delivers high percentages of chelated micronutrients blended at defined ratios to match what plants need. –– Provides essential micronutrients more effectively through ratios that match what plants need. –– Maintains micronutrient availability over a wide soil pH range. –– Optimizes plant growth by facilitating nutrient uptake through a more favorable root zone environment. –– Coupled with the Excel® technology, the products are easy to mix in the stock tank, improve the clarity of solution and help facilitate a no-clog delivery system.

The portfolio of products currently available includes a wide variety of formulations for specific crops and uses:

PETERS PROFESSIONAL®

PETERS® SPECIALTY

The Original water soluble fertilizer that set the industry’s performance standard Peters Professional®—with its broad range of formulations, soluble ingredients and chelated micronutrients.

Peters® Specialty formulations feature balanced ratios of N-P-K and chelated micronutrients that are designed to meet the nutritional needs of specific types of crops.

PETERS EXCEL®

PETERS EXCEL® PHLOW®

Peters Excel® revolutionized the industry with a patented technology to achieve complete nutrient formulations that eliminated the need for twin-headed injectors or fertilizer rotations to supply Calcium. Additionally, Excel® formulations are compatible and can be conveniently mixed in one concentrate tank without forming precipitates.

Peters Excel® pHLow® efficiently provides crops with complete, reliable nutrition. These formulations also incorporate an acidifying technology that is more effective in managing high alkaline waters to maintain acceptable growing media pH. It’s highly soluble, which limits “scale” and slime buildup in tanks, piping and drip emitters.

PETERS EXCEL® PHLOW® ACID HAMMER Peters Excel® pHLow® Acid Hammer is the next evolution, with an advanced acidifying technology that is even more effective in managing alkalinity.

For decades, the one and only water soluble brand that has helped more growers optimize the return on their fertilizer investment, improve operational efficiencies, reduce input and labor costs is the original—Peters®.

HISTORY OF PETERS® BRAND WATER SOLUBLE FERTILIZERS There is a long history of innovation that has led to increasingly better plant nutrition and technological advances that have helped to make grower operations more efficient and profitable. Supporting these efforts is the fact that no other brand has invested more in testing and research to assure proven and dependable functionality from one bag to the next.

Origins 1950s to 1970s

19471979 1980Present

• Bob Peters starts out in 1947 testing soil for cut flower growers and eventually develops prescriptive water soluble fertilizers

• Commercial production of Peters® brand water soluble fertilizers begins in 1952 • Development of crop specific formulations

• Introduction of M-77® system and chelated micronutrients

• WR Grace purchases the entire business, technology and formulas in 1979

Expansion and Innovation 1980s to Present

• Creates fertilizer programs to match irrigation water quality

• Peters® 20-10-20 Peat-Lite designed for container growing in peat moss-based media

• Patented Peters Excel® complete Cal-Mag formulations that enables growers to deliver all essential elements in one stock tank on a constant feed basis without twin-headed injectors or fertilizer rotations • Develops combination feed programs with growers applying a base feed using Osmocote® Controlled Release Fertilizer, then toning plants as needed with Peters® water soluble • Develops formulations with lower percentage of Phosphorus to help discourage plant stretch • Launch of the patented Peters® A B+C Selection System • ICL Specialty Fertilizers, a major global producer of fertilizer raw materials and specialty fertilizers acquires the Peters® line

• Introduces Excel pHLow® products with a patented ICL component, PeKacid™. These water soluble fertilizers feature active acidity that safely reduces excess irrigation water alkalinity levels while providing optimum plant nutrition. They also help reduce or eliminate the need to use mineral acids.

ICL: From source to solutions 5

Proper Selection Basics

THE IMPORTANCE OF SELECTING THE CORRECT FERTILIZER Fertilizers are the primary way growers supply essential nutrients to their plants. Fertilizers also represent a significant production cost that growers must properly manage to maintain profitable operations. The first step growers should take when managing fertilizer costs is to make sure that they’re using a fertilizer program that truly meets their needs. If a fertilizer selection is not matched to a cropping system, growers may be wasting money and failing to supply their crops with the necessary nutrients. There are so many types of fertilizer available that choosing the right one can be quite confusing. Water Soluble Fertilizer (WSF) formulations have changed from a simple “one size fits all” Peters® 20-20-20 General Purpose fertilizer to a wide variety of higher percentage of Nitrate-Nitrogen (N), lower Phosphorus (P) and more Calcium (Ca) containing “complete” fertilizers. Many fertilizers were designed for specific conditions, and if they are used under different circumstances, crops can experience nutrient deficiencies. These deficiencies aren’t always clearly expressed through yellow leaves or severely stunted plants. Plants grown with a poor fertilizer program may just have a subtle dull green color, take longer to grow or have a poor shelf life in the retail environment—characteristics of which a grower might not even be aware. While there are many more WSF options out there today, there seems to be more confusion regarding proper product selection and usage of them. Newer formulations may require more complex handling. Also, any particular WSF formula may not be suitable for all situations. Growers often call us with perceived problems with their fertilizer that are often linked to poor selection/use that can be avoided by developing a good fertilizer system. SELECTION CRITERIA The best way to set up an effective feed program is to take a systematic approach: • Test your irrigation water • Consider: –– Growing media –– Crops grown –– Growing system limitations –– All nutrient inputs

Water Test You need to provide an adequate level of all essential nutrients in your system of water, fertilizer and growing media. A complete annual analysis of your irrigation water is essential in order to manage your crop nutrition. Test the water and then consult with a knowledgeable local ICL Specialty Fertilizers representative. However, if you don’t have the time or ability to have a one-on-one consultation, the Peters® A B+C Selection System can provide quick and simple guidance toward making a better fertilizer selection. (See page 10.) Growing Media Growing media quality can vary and parameters such as pH and nutrient content change over time depending on management practices. Knowing what your soil or soilless growing media contains to start out with, and during production, is the only way to determine how you need to react to best manage nutrition. Crops and Irrigation System Crop-specific WSF formulations generally contain some slight modifications to standard formulations (e.g. a higher level of specific micronutrients). Unless you are a monoculture grower or have systems that allow for different feed programs to different growing zones, the best strategy—and the most practical—is to develop a fertilizer program that will satisfy most crops and then add any necessary prescriptive treatments to the more finicky crop types. Fertilizer Content and Properties When you choose a WSF formula, you are selecting the nutrient diet for your crops. Understand what you are getting and how it fits with your whole growing system before purchase. Read the guaranteed analysis on the bag label— all claimed nutrients must be listed on the label. There are still predominant misconceptions about particular WSF formulations (e.g. some growers still think 20-20-20 or 20-10-20 contains adequate (Ca) and (Mg) for crop needs). This is not so and these products generally need to be supplemented. Any particular WSF formula may not be suitable for all situations: lower (P) contents can help minimize plant stretch; potential acidity and ammonium levels can impact growing media pH. ICL Specialty Fertilizers lists all nutritional information and other properties of major WSF formulations on the back page of this guide to help with your selection and use. Consult with an Expert Once your water analysis results are completed, ICL Specialty Fertilizers has an experienced team of horticultural professionals who can review/interpret the data, review your growing operation and provide informed fertilizer recommendations to improve your nutritional systems (icl-sf.com/us-en/icl-testing-lab/). 7

Getting Started

IRRIGATION WATER In container production, water quality is the single most important factor in determining solubility and nutrient availability for plants. Remember, the average plant is made up almost entirely of water. Fertilizers as well as other production inputs are delivered to the plant in water. In order to choose an appropriate water soluble fertilizer, you need to know exactly what your irrigation water is supplying to plants. It’s especially important for growers whose irrigation source is affected by one of the following: • Well water • Multiple sources of irrigation water • Any change in irrigation water source • Heavy rain, melt-off or flooding • Ongoing or recent droughts

TESTING YOUR WATER The ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab offers a complete solution analysis of an irrigation water sample for a nominal cost. Our test measures a variety of parameters in your water including: alkalinity, soluble salts (EC), pH, Calcium, Magnesium, micronutrient and potentially problematic factors such as Sodium, Chloride, Fluorides and Aluminum. Because water quality is so crucial to fertilizer performance, ICL Specialty Fertilizers is dedicated to providing accurate, affordable analysis through the ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab. The Lab provides easy‑to‑understand reports for irrigation water that will determine your water type, and a recommendation from one of our territory representatives. Call the Testing Lab toll free at 1-877-467-8522 to get a sample test kit, then follow these simple steps to collect a water sample: 1. Flush out the lines or hoses for several minutes with fresh solution before taking the sample. 2. Fill a clean bucket with water (or nutrient solution) and then submerge the sample bottle or another clean, unbreakable, leak-proof container in the bucket. 3. Fill the sample bottle completely to the top, making certain there is no air space in the container. Close the lid tightly, clearly label each bottle with a permanent marker and send the solution sample to the ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab as soon as possible.

SPECIALIZING IN ANALYSIS OF: SOILLESS MEDIA, TISSUE, WATER, FERTILIZER SOLUTIONS 300 Speedway Circle Suite 2, Lincoln, NE 68502 - Phone: 1-877- HORT-LAB (1-877-467-8522) - FAX: 402-476-0302 icl-sf.com/us-en/

SOLUTION ANALYSIS

ACCT# NAME ADDRESS

4301711 ICL Specialty Fertilizers/Annie Pulcini 4950 Blazer Memorial Parkway

CITY/STATE/ZIP PHONE FAX E-MAIL

Dublin, OH 43017-3305 614-726-7091 614-726-7099 annie.pulcini@icl-group.com

Date Sampled: This Sample Is: Source of Water: Water Treated:

DATE RECEIVED DATE COMPLETE TURN AROUND LAB I.D. SAMPLE I.D.

7-Dec-2015 8-Dec-2015 1 Day AT66657 2

Fertilizer Solution: Concentration: Injector/Ratio:

Concerns/Problems:

TEST

RESULTS

Soluble Salts

mmhos/cm

0.21 8.5

pH Alkalinity

ppm

110.00

TEST

RESULTS

ppm

0.01

Zinc

ppm

0.01

Molybdenum

ppm

0.03

Copper

Calcium

ppm

2.25

Aluminum

ppm

0.04

Magnesium

ppm

0.30

Nitrate

NO3-N

ppm

0.01

Sodium

ppm

43.50

Ammonium

NH4-N

ppm

1.24

Chloride

ppm

2.76

Total Nitrogen

ppm

1.25

Boron

ppm

0.02

Phosphorus

ppm

0.01

Fluoride

ppm

0.02

Potassium

ppm

3.64

Iron

ppm

0.01

Manganese

ppm

0.01

Sulfur

ppm

0.95

Questions about this report? Call for technical assistance at 1-877-HORT-LAB (1-877-467-8522) For more information on matching your fertilizer program to your specific water quality, access the Peters® ABC Selection System™ at icl-sf.com/us-en/tools-apps/ .

Once you get your analysis results back, our field-base technical experts are available to discuss these important factors to help you make the best fertilizer selection: 1. CALCIUM (Ca) An essential element for plant growth that often is present in some quantity in irrigation waters. • Calcium is used in plant cell walls and membranes. It strengthens stems and promotes strong overall plant growth. • Calcium is required in large quantities by young growing tissues. Low (Ca) levels will lead to symptoms such as poorly developed younger leaves, bud abortion and other growing point disorders. • Calcium uptake and transport in the plant can be disrupted in droughty and high relative humidity conditions even when it is present in the root zone in seemingly sufficient quantities. • We recommend that irrigation waters have a minimum of 40 to 75 ppm (Ca). When Calcium levels are below this range, it’s necessary to supplement additional Calcium for optimum results. • If sufficient quantities are not present in water, fertilizers with Calcium should be added such as Peters Excel® 15-5-15 Cal-Mag or Peters Professional® 15-0-15 Dark Weather Feed. 2. MAGNESIUM (Mg) An essential element for plant growth that can be present in some irrigation waters. • Magnesium is an important component of chlorophyll, the green pigment that is responsible for photosynthesis. • Pure waters will generally not have sufficient Magnesium and deficiencies may occur unless the nutritional program addresses the need. • Symptoms are generally expressed as interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between veins) of the older leaves first. • ICL Specialty Fertilizers recommends that irrigation waters should have a minimum 30 to 50 ppm (Mg). • Also, remember to maintain a good Calcium-to-Magnesium ratio in the growing media (2:1 is recommended). • To add Magnesium to pure waters, use epsom salts (MgSO4), Peters Excel® 10-0-0 MagNitrate Special or Peters Professional® 18-8-17 High Mag. 3. Soluble Salts and Effects on Nutrient Levels Soluble salts or Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a general measure of salts dissolved in the water. • An irrigation source is best if EC levels fall between 0.2 and 1.2 mmhos/cm. When using irrigation water with a high EC, a growing media with more drainage may be necessary. • Since the measurement does not identify which elements are helpful or harmful in the water, a complete nutrient analysis of water is necessary.

4. ALKALINITY The most critical item in an irrigation water sample is a measure of the bicarbonate and carbonate levels. It has a strong inﬂuence on growing media pH. • Alkalinity is due to limestone that has dissolved into a ground water source from the bedrock. A certain amount of alkalinity is good, as it will buffer the solution from acidic influences such as peat moss and fertilizer, thus maintaining the proper media pH (soilless media: 5.2-6.3). • Excessively high or low alkalinity will directly impact how far your media pH will fluctuate upwards or downwards. This in turn will affect availability of micronutrients in the growing media. In some cases, mineral acid or acidic fertilizers may need to be injected to counter extremely high alkalinity. • Low alkalinity may lead to very low growing media pH and micronutrient toxicities, while high levels of alkalinity can increase the growing media pH over time and lead to micronutrient deficiencies.

ADJUSTING EXCESS ALKALINITY Peters Excel® pHLow® products feature a patented ICL component “PeKacid™ ” and offer a safe and simple way to reduce excess irrigation water alkalinity levels while providing optimum plant nutrition. PeKacid™ creates water soluble fertilizers with active acidity that eliminates the need for acid injections. “Regulating” Alkalinity

ALKALINITY

Left unchecked, the excess alkalinity in irrigation water floods into the root zone like a hose running full force. This causes growing media pH to rise, which restricts the uptake of Iron and other nutrients leading to yellow plants.

ALKALINITY

The acidifying technology in Peters Excel® pHLow® formulations reduces excess alkalinity. This “proactive approach” enhances the uptake of nutrition, which leads to green, high-quality plants.

However, excessive water alkalinity can also be neutralized with acid, especially problematic hard or high alkaline waters. Use the table below to determine the amount of acid needed to reduce alkalinity to a desired level. Example: â&#x20AC;˘ Your alkalinity is 225 ppm CaCO3. You want to reduce the alkalinity to 125. 225-125 = 100 ppm CaCO3 to neutralize. Find 100 ppm in the far left column. â&#x20AC;˘ From the table you can choose to use 0.744 fluid ounces of 93% sulfuric acid or 2.096 fluid ounces 33% sulfuric acid or 1.748 fluid ounces 85% phosphoric acid or 2.120 fluid ounces 75% phosphoric acid or 3.120 fluid ounces of nitric acid PER 100 GALLONS OF WATER (or per gallon of stock solution if injecting at 1:100) to reduce desired alkalinity. Fluid Ounces of Acid/100 Gallons of Water to Neutralize (ppm CaCO3*) ppm CaCO3 to Neutralize

Sulfuric Acid 93%

Sulfuric Acid 33% or Battery

Phosphoric Acid 85%

Phosphoric Acid 75%

Nitric Acid 61%

10 25 50 75 100 125 150 175 200 225 250

0.074 0.186 0.372 0.558 0.744 0.930 1.116 1.302 1.488 1.674 1.860

0.210 0.524 1.048 1.572 2.096 2.620 3.144 3.668 4.192 4.716 5.240

0.175 0.437 0.874 1.311 1.748 2.185 ** ** ** ** **

0.212 0.530 1.060 1.590 2.120 ** ** ** ** ** **

0.312 0.780 1.560 2.340 3.120 3.900 4.680 5.460 6.240 7.020 7.800

* Use as a guideline only. Follow up adjustments with testing to verify alkalinity and pH changes. ** Phosphoric acid is relatively ineffective at these higher rates.

Mineral Acid Nutritional Contributions To Fertilizer Solutions: One fluid ounce of acid per 100 gallons of water will contribute the following nutrients: 93% Sulfuric acid................................................................................................................................42 ppm Sulfur 33% Sulfuric acid................................................................................................................................15 ppm Sulfur 85% Phosphoric acid.........................................................................................................................35.5 ppm Phosphorus 75% Phosphoric acid.........................................................................................................................29.3 ppm Phosphorus 61% Nitric acid....................................................................................................................................14 ppm Nitrogen

Adjusting Excess Alkalinity Through Acid Injection Before treating water for alkalinity, determine your crop needs by: • Having water tested to verify alkalinity. • Comparing the ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab’s guidelines for acceptable alkalinity versus container sizes used. • Examining past media analyses to assess the degree of pH increase throughout crop life. • Consider Peters Excel® pHLow® products that can reduce or eliminate the need to add mineral acid. Additional points to consider before adjusting alkalinity with mineral acids: • Moderately excessive alkalinity may be neutralized by using the appropriate Peters Excel® pHLow® fertilizers. • Make sure that your injector is designed for handling acids. • Determine the type of acid needed to adjust your water alkalinity. High alkalinity (> 250 ppm CaCO3) may necessitate using sulfuric acid versus the weaker phosphoric acid. • Estimate the amount of acid you may need based on crop timing and pot size. (As a general rule, higher alkalinities have more impact on smaller pots and on crops with longer growth cycles.) • Sulfuric acid should not be mixed in a concentrate or stock solution with ANY Calcium-containing fertilizer such as Peters® 17-3-17, 15-0-15, 13-2-13 and Peters Excel® 15-5-15, 15-2-20, 13-2-13, 14-8-14. • Acid injection could corrode metal pipes and release toxic levels of Iron or Zinc. Plastic pipes are preferred. • Do not use water treated with phosphoric acid for overhead misting of poinsettias. Hardened growth and deformed foliage may result. For proper application and handling of acids: • Remember that these mineral acids are extremely corrosive. • Read and follow all product labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS) before mixing. • Use caution when measuring, mixing and storing acids. • Always wear protective eyewear, clothing, respirator (if needed) and gloves when measuring and mixing acids. • The injection area should be equipped with adequate ventilation, an emergency shower and an eye wash station. • Always add acid to water. A violent reaction could occur if water is added to acid. • It is always best to add acid separately from the fertilizer stock tank. • Add acid to water before fertilizer is added. If desired, fertilizer could be dissolved in another container before adding to the acidified water to avoid splashing. Verify the proper amount of acid added by testing final alkalinity of acidified water without fertilizer added. You may use on-site alkalinity tests or submit acidified water to the ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab.

Using the Peters® A B+C Selection System To Grow Better Crops In fitting a fertilizer program to your specific irrigation water, you balance the following fertilizer properties: • Potential acidity • Nitrate/Ammonium Nitrogen balance • N-P-K ratio • Need for secondary nutrients like Calcium and Magnesium and micronutrients • Crops • Growing systems Many growers are unable to take the time and effort required to follow this systematic approach. Some choose a product based on another grower’s recommendation, randomly choose a formulation out of a catalog or continue to use the same fertilizer that their operation has used for many years. With luck, this approach may work reasonably well, but it can also result in a suboptimal fertilizer program over time. To help growers with the all-important task of fertilizer selection, ICL Specialty Fertilizers offers the patented Peters® A B+C Selection System. ICL Specialty Fertilizers applied years of research, testing and experience in determining which Peters® products perform best on which plants. We’ve used this data to help you select the formulations that will help you achieve the healthiest and most beautiful plants possible, therefore you can remain as profitable as possible. This system demystifies fertilizer and guides growers to select the best available fertilizer for their operations. The unique Peters® A B+C Selection System from ICL Specialty Fertilizers easily matches your irrigation water type with the correct ICL Specialty Fertilizers water soluble fertilizer type and crop types.

WATER TYPES: The science behind this system is a country-wide database of over 20,000 irrigation water samples from our ICL Specialty Fertilizers Lab database. Samples were sorted geographically on a county-by-county basis to determine which nutrients were present or lacking in the predominant water types.

The Peters® A B+C System is simple but very relevant, revealing four primary types of irrigation water: Water Type 1 – Very Low Alkalinity < 60 ppm (Ca = 0-60 ppm and Mg < 30 ppm) Water Type 2 – Moderately Low Alkalinity 60-150 ppm (Ca = 0-60 ppm and Mg < 30 ppm) Water Type 3 – Moderately High Alkalinity 150-200 ppm (Ca > 50 ppm and Mg < 30 ppm) Water Type 4 – Very High Alkalinity 200-240+ ppm (Ca > 50 ppm and Mg < 30 ppm)

Water Types 1 & 2 Water Types 3 & 4 Varied Water Types

ICL Specialty Fertilizers water tests clearly label the water type on the analysis results sheet so you can easily use the Peters® A B+C System.

Water quality is the heart of the Peters® A B+C Selection System. The real success of the new Peters® A B+C Selection System lies in its use of water quality as the first step in determining which formulations will work the best. Once you know your water, you can automatically narrow your options to the water soluble fertilizers that perform best in your operation. • ICL Specialty Fertilizers Lab results sheets list the water type icon to simplify interpretation of data. • If you don’t have a water test, the Peters® A B+C database enables you to explore prevailing water types across the United States to help you make a better decision.

FERTILIZER TYPE Peters® products are clearly labeled on the front of each bag with Water Type icons identifying the ideal water types for which each fertilizer is best suited. Growers can quickly identify which formulations fit best with various irrigation water sources.

IDEAL FOR WATER TYPES 1 to 2

1 0 Low Alkalinity

2 60

3 150

4 200

PPM CALCIUM CARBONATE

240+ High Alkalinity

Additionally, all of the Peters Excel® and Peters Professional® product line bags have A-B-C icons divided into three clearly defined application categories. • “A” Type – many Peters Excel® and Peters Professional® fertilizers are labeled with an “A” for “All-Purpose” formulation. When correctly matched to your water type, “A” formulations offer all-in-one-bag convenience ensuring perfectly balanced and complete nutrition, no matter what you’re growing. One “A” formulation can take the place of several crop-specific fertilizers, because each has been tested and proven to work over a broad range of plant types. An all-in-one bag solution eliminates labor and storage issues.

All-Purpose Formulation

•• Plus, Peters Excel® can still be tank mixed with other Peters Excel® formulas for a single-tank solution that keeps emitters clean while saving labor and delivering superior nutrition. • “B” + “C” Types – Growers can also opt for the added flexibility of using a “B” (Base Formulation™) with one or more “C” (Customizing Components™). –– Base formulations are labeled with a “B” and include many of the same Peters® products that growers have trusted for more than 60 years. Each base formulation can be used alone or rotated and sometimes tank-mixed with one of the customizing components (labeled with a “C”) to mitigate water quality or address the unique nutritional needs for a certain crop.

Base Formulation

–– Customizing components provide a prescriptive boost of nutrients needed to produce healthy, beautiful results. Together with “B” products, they create the right nutritional balance for your particular growing situation. Customizing Component

CROP TYPE The Peters® A B+C Selection System includes fertilizer programs for over 70 common crops. Once the grower inputs the types of crops they are growing, the program will recommend a number of fertilizer programs matched to their specific water type. The Peters® A B+C Selector will then email the grower a report and can also connect growers with a local ICL Specialty Fertilizers expert for further consultation if desired. The best fertilizers are then matched to these water types to create sound and effective nutritional programs. All of this information is built into an online selector located at https://calculators.icl-sf. com/productselector/.. Growers can input their water type, or, if they don’t know it, they can use the geographical water database to make an educated guess. Find the crop(s) you grow.

Bedding Plants Suggested Constant Liquid Feeding Concentration: 50-150 ppm N Suggested Periodic Liquid Feeding Concentration: 200-350 ppm N Water Type(s)

A or B Stand Alone Products Option I

B + C Combination or Rotation Products

Option II

Option I

Option II

Type 1

Peters Excel® 13-2-13 Plug & Bedding Plant Special

Peters Professional® 17-3-17 Peat-Lite Neutral Cal-Mag

Peters Professional 15-5-25 Peat-Lite Flowering Crop Special + Peters Professional® 15-0-15 Peat-Lite Dark Weather Feed

Peters Professional® 20-2-20 Peat-Lite Low Phos Special + Peters Professional® 15-0-15 Peat-Lite Dark Weather Feed

Type 2

Peters Excel® 15-5-15 Cal-Mag Special

Peters Professional® 17-3-17 Peat-Lite Neutral Cal-Mag

Peters Professional® 15-5-25 Peat-Lite Flowering Crop Special + Peters Professional® 15-0-15 Peat-Lite Dark Weather Feed

Peters Professional® 20-2-20 Peat-Lite Low Phos Special + Peters Professional® 15-0-15 Peat-Lite Dark Weather Feed

S imply select the chart based on your water type

Read across for recommendations of A (All-Purpose Formulations) or B (Base Formulations) to rotate or combine with C (Customizing Components).

For More Information To fine-tune your fertilizer selection to your individual growing conditions and to access the Peters® A B+C Selection System, access https://calculators.icl-sf.com/productselector/.

Selecting the Correct Concentration

Water Soluble Fertilizers (WSF) are designed to be completely soluble when mixed at appropriate concentrations. Once you choose the correct WSF formulation(s), it is important to deliver the proper amount of nutrients in a timely manner. • The correct fertilizer concentration for a particular growing operation will depend on a number of factors including feeding frequency, crop type, crop stage, growing media texture (fine vs. coarse), pot size, leaching fraction, green bark and environmental conditions. • Generally, fertilizer should be applied at concentrations necessary to sustain optimal root zone nutrients levels and quality plant growth. • There is a recent trend toward lower feed rates from historical recommendations. While past recommendations may have resulted in luxurious nutrient consumption, plants need sufficient nutrient for optimal growth. • Constant liquid feed provides a more uniform plant nutrition program and is recommended over periodic or intermittent feeding (where fertilizer is only applied on 7 to 10 day intervals). This minimizes the “feast or famine” syndrome, especially if you are rotating fertilizers. When rotating formulations, some nutrients may be lacking or excessive because of imprecise application methods. The best practice to optimize plant nutrition is to constantly provide all necessary nutrients at required levels with each irrigation as illustrated in the graph below.

NUTRIENT LEVELS IN ROOT ZONE EXCESSIVE

CONSTANT LIQUID FEED

ACCEPTABLE

DEFICIENT

By feeding small quantities of fertilizer constantly you are able to avoid great fluctuations in growing media that occur when feeding is done on a periodic basis.

PERIODIC FEED

TIME

• Even in low feed crops such as short-term bedding plants, a few applications of WSF feedings right after planting will get plants off to a good start and equalize nutritional status across the crop. • Other factors that will impact how you target WSF concentrations include: specific crops needs, sub-irrigation versus top-watering, leaching fraction, and presence of controlled release fertilizer. • The use of clear watering will not only reduce salts (EC) in the growing media, but also may wash out essential nutrients in the root zone and contribute to nutrient stress. Use clear water only when EC levels are above optimal levels in the media.

As a general rule of thumb, all Peters® water soluble fertilizers should be fed at the following rates: (See Table #1 for general recommendations for crop types). For a more specific recommendation, please contact an ICL Specialty Fertilizers Territory Manager. TABLE 1 — Recommended Feeding Rates

Crop Type

Constant Liquid Feeding (ppm N)

Periodic Feeding (ppm N)

Bedding Plants

50 – 150

150 – 250

Containerized Woody Plants

50 – 100

200 – 350

Flowering Pot Crops

200 – 300

300 – 450

Potted Foliage

150 – 200

250 – 300

Plugs (all types)

50 – 125

175 – 225

Landscape

200 – 300

400 – 600

Best Practices Management

Peters Excel® and Peters Professional® products are labeled with many details on product use. You will find directions and expanded rate information right at your fingertips when you need it most. The following are general use guidelines you’ll also find on Peters® packaging, product sheets and at icl-sf.com/us-en/explore/ornamental-horticulture.

PROPER MIXING IN CONCENTRATED STOCK TANKS Water soluble fertilizers are designed to readily dissolve so they can easily be applied in liquid form through injectors, sprinklers, drip tubes, etc. Most growers make up concentrate solutions in a stock tank and use an injector system to achieve the correct final concentration especially if drenching pots. For best results, follow these steps: 1. Determine the actual volume of your stock tank by measuring. Use a permanent marker to mark volume levels that you will commonly use. 2. Determine your desired target fertilizer concentration (ppm N) after dilution. Concentrations are weight-to-volume measurements and (at least once) determine exactly how much weight of fertilizer you are adding to a given volume of water in your stock tank if you are using a measuring cup or scoop. 3. Know your injector ratio setting (e.g. 1:100) and make sure it is frequently maintained and in calibration. 4. Decide if you want to dilute a partial bag or full bag of fertilizer. 5. Refer to correct mixing table located on the bag label or product sheet. a. Table #2 for smaller volumes/ using partial bags — the value stated is the correct weight of fertilizer necessary to make one gallon of concentrate. (To make more than 1 gallon: multiply the value times the number of gallons of concentrate you wish to mix — i.e., stock tank volume.) b. Table #3 for larger tanks/ full bags — the value stated is the volume (in gallons) of water required to dissolve each 25 pound bag of fertilizer. 6. Fill the concentrate tank with water to approximately 1/3 tank volume. 7. Add mineral acid only if necessary (addition may be required with alkalinity levels greater than 250 mg/L Calcium carbonate). Acid is best added upstream using a separate injector/stock tank than used for the fertilizer concentrate. 8. Add fertilizer and stir vigorously. 9. Dissolving fertilizer is an endothermic reaction that requires lots of heat energy. The water in the stock tank becomes very cool during this process. If the stock tank water is cold to begin with, Peters® water soluble fertilizer will take longer to dissolve as the solution needs to take heat energy from the surrounding air. If possible, use warm water and provide sufficient agitation when mixing to more quickly dissolve the fertilizer. 10. Top off the tank volume with water.

Common Mixing Fertilizers Issues: • At high proportioning ratios (1:200) or high target concentrations (> 300 ppm N), the grower may be pushing the limits of solubility, especially if more than one component is being added to the tank or if the grower is trying to achieve a high ppm (N). • The order that components are added to the stock solution can also impact solubility, e.g. if acidifying, add water first, then acid and finally the fertilizer. • Irrigation water quality can dramatically impact solubility as well. High levels of (Ca) in the irrigation water may precipitate out (P) or (S) in the concentrate tank. • Particle size uniformity of the fertilizer — Some manufacturers grind their fertilizer blends to increase dissolution but this can unfortunately contribute to product caking. Prilled or coarse granular fertilizer made up of water-soluble components will dissolve; they just take longer to do so. Tip: Don’t wait until the last minute to mix up a new fertilizer stock tank.

INJECTOR SETTINGS AND MAINTENANCE Injectors or proportioners are labor-saving devices commonly used in most greenhouses and nurseries to apply water soluble fertilizers. Fertilizer is mixed in a stock tank in a highly concentrated form and the injector dilutes this concentrate with water at a defined ratio. For best results, consult your injector manufacturer on how to operate and maintain your equipment: • Understand how to properly set your injector to your fertilizer stock tank recipe. • Be sure your injector is rated for all stock tank components including mineral acids. • Periodically check calibration, inspect seals and filters and perform routine maintenance. • Frequently check EC (Electrical Conductivity) of hose end solution to make sure injector is correctly dosing fertilizer concentration (ppm N).

ENSURING COMPLETE SOLUBILITY All Peters products are made up of completely soluble components that will fully dissolve as long as compatible materials are added to the stock tanks. However, a number of factors will determine how quickly the fertilizer will dissolve: ®

• Desired concentration • Temperature of irrigation water • Agitation • Time • Irrigation water quality • The fertilizer itself • Compatibility of other components in the stock tank

Limitations: • Maximum solubility values are published for each WSF formula. This value is the best-case scenario at which it is physically possible to maintain solubility. In the real world, using bucket chemistry, coffee cans, guesstimated volumes and variable irrigation water, growers can expect less than maximum solubility. • Dissolving WSFs is an endothermic reaction (it uses up thermal energy in the stock tank water). To demonstrate this, add a pound of fertilizer to a half gallon of water and you will quickly feel the solution get very cool. This cooling can slow down the dissolving reaction and this is why we suggest growers use hot water and agitation to speed up the dissolving reaction of the fertilizer concentrate. • Consider contribution of all additives. If more than one fertilizer is added to the same stock tank, it will reduce how much of each can freely dissolve in the stock tank volume. • Fertilizers with lower N% (< 10 %) require more fertilizer to achieve a desired concentration and one may exceed the maximum solubility point before reaching desired hose end target. • Injectors set at higher proportioning settings (e.g. 200:1 and above) require more concentrated stock solutions so depending on the formulation; it is often difficult to achieve higher hose end concentrations. • If the stock tank solution is made with cold water, a longer mixing time is required. Be patient and keep agitating the solution. All material will eventually go into solution. • Additional adjuvants may be added to ICL Specialty Fertilizers products to aid in reducing caking or improving nutrient availability. These may result in a slight skim layer at the top of the concentrate tank, but this should not impact solubility or injection functionality.

FERTILIZER COMPATIBILITY GUIDELINES All Peters Excel® and Peters Excel® pHLow® fertilizers are tank mix compatible with each other allowing growers to mix various formulations together to fine-tune nutrients in the stock tank to fit nearly any growing need. Not all Peters Professional® and Peters Excel® water soluble fertilizer products are compatible. Growers using concentrated solutions in large stock tanks must take care to avoid mixing incompatible materials. Precipitates may form if you are not careful what you combine in your stock tank. When incompatible products are mixed together in a stock tank, insoluble precipitates will form, making the reacted components unavailable to plants and potentially clog injectors, filters, water breakers, drippers, and spray equipment. Compatibility Rules of Thumb: • Generally don’t mix Calcium-containing products in the same stock tank with products containing phosphates or sulfate; they are incompatible. • Most Peters Professional® fertilizers contain Phosphorus. • Calcium-containing fertilizers include: Calcium Nitrate, Peters Professional® 15-0-15, 13-2-13, 17-3-17 and Peters Excel® 15-5-15, 15-2-20 and 13-2-13. • Irrigation water quality can dramatically impact solubility. High levels of Calcium (Ca) in the irrigation water can precipitate out phosphates or sulfates in the concentrate tank. • Incompatibilities may occur from improper mixing with common mineral acids such as phosphoric acid or sulfuric (battery) acid, or sulfate containing fertilizers such as Peters Professional® 21-7-7, S.T.E.M.™ or Epsom salts (Magnesium Sulfate). • To determine if a combination of fertilizer products are compatible, mix up a small quantity in a jar, agitate it, let it sit. Look for precipitate once the sample has heated up to room temperature. • Make sure stock tanks are cleaned out prior to mixing up a fertilizer batch. Tank residues from previous stock solutions can cause incompatibilities. • Exceptions to this rule are Peters Excel® fertilizers with urea phosphate, Peters Excel® pHLow® containing PeKacid™ or Peters Professional® 17-3-17 utilizing citric acid. These products work by acidifying the concentrate tank, thus maintaining solubility of N-P-K, (Ca) and (S) in the concentrate. • Peters Excel® 10-0-0 MagNitrate Special can be blended with all Peters® products to provide extra Magnesium (Mg). • If you want to add Calcium to a Peters® fertilizer containing phosphates (such as 20-10-20 Peat‑Lite), you need to use a twin-headed injector or rotate between two fertilizer stock tanks (e.g. two applications 20-10-20 Peat-Lite alternated with one application of Peters Professional® 15-0-15).

Same Tank Mix Incompatibilities

Peters Excel®

Peters Excel® pHlow®

19-11-21 Multi-Purpose

18-18-18 Multi-Purpose

21-7-7 Acid Hammer

X X X

21-5-20 Multi Purpose

21-5-20 Multi Purpose No Boron

Peters Professional®

Phosphoric Acid

Sulfuric Acid

Potassium Nitrate

Magnesium Sulfate (Epsom Salts)

Calcium Nitrate

15-5-15 Cal-Mag Special

X X X X X X X X

X X X X X

X X

15-2-20 Pansy, Salvia & Vinca

X X X X X X X X

X X X X X

X X

13-2-13 Plug & Bedding Plant Special

X X X X X X X X

X X X X X

X X

30-10-10 Hi Nitro Foliar Feed

X X X

25-5-15 High Efficiency

X X X

24-8-16 Foliage Special

X X X

21-7-7 Acid Special

X X X

20-20-20 Ag & Landscape Special

X X X

20-20-20 GP

X X X

20-20-20 GP No Dye

X X X

20-10-20 GP

X X X

13-2-13 Plug & Bedding Plant Special No Minors, No Dye

Peters Professional® Peat-Lite

Liquid S.T.E.M.™

15-7-25 High Mag/High K

10-0-0 MagNitrate Special

X X X X X X X X

X X X X X

X X

5-11-26 Hydroponic Special

X X X

20-10-20 Peat-Lite Special

X X X

20-10-20 Peat-Lite Special No Boron

X X X

20-3-19 Petunia Special

X X X

20-2-20 Peat-Lite Low Phos Special

X X X

18-8-17 Peat-Lite High Mag Special

X X X

17-3-17 Peat-Lite Neutral Cal-Mag

X X X X X X X X

X X X X X

X X

15-16-17 Peat-Lite Special

X X X

15-5-25 Peat-Lite Flowering Crop Special

X X X

15-3-25 Peat-Lite Flowering Crop Special Plus Iron

X X X

15-0-15 Peat-Lite Dark Weather Feed

X X X X X X X X

10-30-20 Peat-Lite Plant Starter

Peters Professional®

S.T.E.M.™

10-30-20 Peat-Lite Plant Starter

15-0-15 Peat-Lite Dark Weather Feed

15-3-25 Peat-Lite Flowering Crop Special Plus Iron

15-5-25 Peat-Lite Flowering Crop Special

15-16-17 Peat-Lite Special

17-3-17 Peat-Lite Neutral Cal-Mag

18-8-17 Peat-Lite High Mag Special

20-2-20 Peat-Lite Low Phos Special

20-3-19 Petunia Special

20-10-20 Peat-Lite Special No Boron

20-10-20 Peat-Lite Special

5-11-26 Hydroponic Special

13-2-13 Plug & Bedding Plant Special No Minors, No Dye

20-10-20 GP

20-20-20 GP No Dye

20-20-20 GP

20-20-20 Ag & Landscape Special

21-7-7 Acid Special

24-8-16 Foliage Special

25-5-15 High Efficiency

30-10-10 Hi Nitro Foliar Feed

10-0-0 MagNitrate Special

13-2-13 Plug & Bedding Plant Special

15-2-20 Pansy, Salvia & Vinca

15-5-15 Cal-Mag Special

21-5-20 Multi Purpose No Boron

21-5-20 Multi Purpose

14-8-14 Cal-Mag

15-7-25 High Mag/High K

18-18-18 Multi-Purpose

19-11-21 Multi-Purpose

X = Do Not Combine in the same concentrate tank.

S.T.E.M.™ No Dye (Soluble Trace Element Mix)

* X

X X X

X X X *

X X X X X

Liquid S.T.E.M.™

X X

X *

* S.T.E.M. is sparingly soluble. It can only be added in very small amounts before precipitation occurs.

Monitoring Water Soluble Fertilizer Programs

Water soluble fertilizer products effectiveness can definitely be improved with a monitoring program. After setting a nutrient target, an analysis of the growing media and irrigation water will reveal what nutrients are needed and lead to the selection of one or more fertilizers. Once samples are analyzed by a reputable lab, consult with an expert on the topic of fertilizers and plant nutrition. • Injector monitoring and maintenance will help to ensure that you are feeding at optimal levels. • Weekly on-site measurements of fertilizer solution and crop media EC (soluble salts) and pH using handheld probes can be a valuable tool in managing your crop. • Soluble salts or Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a general measure of salts dissolved in solutions. EC is especially useful for monitoring the functionality of an injector system and to make sure the fertilizer recipe is at the expected concentration. • Ideally, injectors should be checked weekly and this can easily be done by first capturing some fertilizer‑injected water out of the hose or drip tubes, and then measuring the EC with a conductivity meter. • See ICL Specialty Fertilizers water soluble product sheets/ labels for information on EC tied to specific concentrations (ppm N). • A follow-up program of complete media analysis (and tissue in problem-solving situations), should be initiated to optimize your nutritional program. • The ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Laboratory is a reliable source for testing water, growing media and plant tissue for nutritional factors. ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab For many years our Testing Lab has applied an innovative approach to helping thousands of growers in leading nurseries and greenhouses. We are a leader in nutritional analysis, providing you a comprehensive and easy-to-read report that you can use to maximize your success. With the ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab as your partner, you’ll be able to monitor your crop’s progress, avoid problems and produce healthy plants that bring in optimum profits. Meanwhile, you’ll reduce your costs—not only will you lose fewer plants, you’ll lessen the chance of spending money on unnecessary or ineffective fertilizers, fungicides and other applications. • Call Us With Questions or for Test Kits: Call 1-877-467-8522 (1-877-HORTLAB) (listen for the recording to order kits, then dial 1). Test kits include instructions and easy-to-complete forms. Also, lab information is available on our website: icl-sf.com/us-en/icl-testing-lab/. • Rapid Turnaround: When you are having crop problems, time is money. The ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab is a full-scale production lab and results are generally ready within a day or two from the time the lab receives the sample. • Accuracy: The ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab operates under strict quality assurance protocol that makes our products effective and reliable. Run by highly professional analytical chemists and using modern, state-of-the-art analytical equipment, you can have great confidence in our results. Certified by the American Association of Laboratory Accreditation, the lab annually conducts analysis on thousands of samples simply to check accuracy. 25

• Versatile Reporting: Our easy-to-read, color-coded results and accompanying guidelines will be emailed (if email address is provided with sample) and mailed to you once lab data is verified. Results can be downloaded in an Excel spreadsheet format or in a picture (PDF file) format. • Competitively Priced: At $35.00 per sample, ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab is a highly economical way to prevent thousands of dollars-worth of lost revenue and time. • Free Support: Only ICL Specialty Fertilizers matches value with the expertise of our technical advisors, with the industry’s most successful water soluble and timed release fertilizers. If you need help interpreting results or with recommendations based on results, call us toll-free at 1-877-HORTLAB to speak to one of our experienced, field-based horticulturists. These industry experts are continuously calling on greenhouses, nurseries and farms in your region. • Contact Information: ICL Specialty Fertilizers Testing Lab — SPECIALIZING IN ANALYSIS OF: SOILLESS MEDIA, TISSUE, WATER, FERTILIZER SOLUTIONS 300 Speedway Circle, Suite 2t, Lincoln, NE 68502 Phone: 1-877-HORT-LAB (1-877-467-8522) FAX: 402-476-0302 icl-sf.com/us-en/icl-testing-lab/ Water, Tissue and Media Tests Will Give You Better Solutions For growers, the more you know, the better plants you can sell. Successful growers have to know exactly what their crops need in order to correct problems…or better yet, prevent problems altogether. With today’s complicated growing systems and diverse crop types, there is even a greater need for accurate and speedy analytical data in order to manage quality crops. That’s why ICL Specialty Fertilizers offers an entire suite of analytical testing of essential nutrients plus other important parameters necessary to help you make the right decisions in managing your horticultural crops. ICL Specialty Fertilizers is dedicated to providing accurate, affordable analysis and easy-to-understand reports for irrigation water, growing media or soil, and plant tissue. Water/ Fertilizer Solution Testing Accurate analysis of your irrigation water quality is the first and most important step in managing your fertilizer program. Peters® A B+C pioneered the system of fitting fertilizer programs based on irrigation water content. • Always test new water sources and retest all irrigation supply sources (preferably twice a year). • We test each sample for: pH, soluble salts, alkalinity, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Zinc, Sodium, Chloride, Fluoride and Aluminum content. • Before spending a large portion of your budget on fertilizers, be certain that your fertilizer concentration and composition are performing as planned. Use solution analysis to assess the nutrient content of water soluble fertilizer samples, the accuracy of stock tank mixing and injector performance. Also you can use this test to check the nutrient content of pour-through solutions.

Growing Media Analysis Testing Growing media quality can vary and parameters such as pH and nutrient content change over time depending on management practices. Knowing what your soil or soilless growing media contains is the only way to determine how you need to react to best manage nutrition. • This test is a “snapshot” of your root zone nutrient status and frequent testing during the growing season is particularly important for growers who mix their own media. • Use this test as part of your quality assurance program in combination with a program of on-site testing. • We test each sample for: pH, soluble salts, Nitrate-Nitrogen, Ammoniacal-Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Zinc, Sodium, Chloride, Fluoride and Aluminum content. Mineral Soil Testing For turf managers, farmers and landscapers, a comprehensive soil test is critical to an effective soil fertility management program. Plant Tissue Testing Running a tissue analysis in conjunction with a media analysis provides a full nutritional picture. • Samples of both plant tissue and media should be taken simultaneously. • Plant tissue tests are quite helpful in trying to diagnose the cause of a nutritional deficiency or toxicity. • We test each sample for: Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium, Sulfur, Boron, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Zinc, Sodium, Fluoride and Aluminum content. Recommended Testing Frequency Program

Irrigation Water Monitoring

Bedding Plants and Plugs

Potted Crops

Water/Fertilizer Solution Testing

Media Analysis Testing

Mineral Soil Testing

Plant Tissue Testing

Test water sites before purchasing new land or established operations

—

New wells: four times or once per season to assess problems and seasonal fluctuations

—

Municipal water, established wells and ponds: annually – two times to verify consistency

—

1 Year Frequency

As needed to monitor nutritional status or to detect nutritional disorders

Initial water analysis

Initial media analysis

Fertilizer solution analyzed as needed to verify feed and injection rates

Monthly follow-up analyses to monitor nutritional status

Initial water analysis

Initial media analysis

Fertilizer solution analyzed as needed to verify feed and injection rates

Monthly follow-up analyses to monitor nutritional status, dependent on crop length

1 Year Frequency

Two to three analyses to verify nutritional status or to detect potential problems

Water Soluble Fertilizer Appearance / Properties

The Peters® brands of professional water soluble fertilizers are made from the best water soluble raw materials available. However, some products contain raw materials that when blended together at certain ratios result in chemical reactions that affect the physical appearance of the product. • Our raw material components vary in size, shape and color. • Our quality program specifies highly pure, soluble components free of coatings and harmful contaminants. • All components are water soluble; some raw materials take a little bit more time to dissolve than others. • Some of the finished products, depending on the raw materials, are more uniform in appearance while other formulations look quite heterogeneous. • All products manufactured are tested to ensure that what’s claimed on the package is what’s inside the bag. Oxidizer Placards • Any fertilizers that contain nitrates must be tested and labeled based on strict transportation guidelines. ICL Specialty Fertilizers utilizes a reputable testing lab and adheres to the strictest of standards. Other companies may have similar formulations that are not labeled as oxidizers, but because we import Peters® to other countries, it is critical our oxidizer status is verified. We want to be sure to comply with all regulatory requirements and feel that safety in transporting all materials should always come first. Blue Tracer Dye The famous Peters® blue tracer dye was an early innovation and is often imitated by other brands. • Various fertilizer raw material sources have different degrees of surface porosity and result in dye absorption at different levels. There are some formulas that are more prone to a gray or light purple color when the material is dry. • When the material is dissolved in the stock tank, the blue color will provide the trace indicator in the growers’ water source. • Color intensity and distribution of used product may appear variable in the bag depending on the formulation. • If product takes on moisture during storage, non-staining colorant can shift from blue to green to even a gray tint.

• Once fertilizer is diluted in a stock tank, the colorant level should be consistent. • Note that the tracer dye is merely designed to tell you that the fertilizer solution is in the water. • Blue color in dilute hose end solutions can be hard to see at low concentrations (< 100 ppm N). Pour solution in a white bucket or a plastic bottle on the bench top for a better visual analysis. • The intensity of the color at hose end is a poor indicator of fertilizer concentration. • Measuring soluble salts or EC using a calibrated meter is a much better way to check your fertilizer stock tank and hose-end solution concentration.

PROPER STORAGE • Water Soluble Fertilizer (WSF) products can be more difficult to use if not stored properly. WSF will absorb moisture from the atmosphere over time, even in the bag. This may result in a slushy appearance or hardening/caking in the bag. • For best results, the product should be stored inside in a temperature-controlled, cool, dry environment. • Plastic packaging helps prevent products from becoming too moist during storage. • Clumps or caked product – formulas clump or cake for a few primary reasons: 1. Raw materials are exposed to humid, moist conditions; 2. Raw materials that are mixed together at certain ratios that are chemically incompatible; 3. Pressure is applied to the mixed product after it has been bagged up; 4. The length of time between manufacture and grower use. • Caking should in no way diminish nutrient content or solubility of the fertilizer, but makes it harder to measure/pour fertilizer when mixing. • While these products that clump or cake are still effective to use, there are some measures that can be taken that will help minimize this inconvenience: –– If you buy full pallets of product, avoid stacking any other material on top of the pallet to prevent compression. –– Rotate stock – fresher product is easier to handle. Utilize your fertilizer inventory with a “first in, first out” approach to prevent clumping that can come from long storage times. –– For best results, use the entire bag. –– If using a partial bag, be sure to reseal tightly to prevent the uptake of atmosphere moisture into the WSF bag in storage over time. Keep in mind that products begin to absorb moisture as soon as the bag is opened. –– Before mixing, gently drop caked fertilizer bags from a knee-high height (several times both sides) to loosen up product. • Product color can shift in storage over time, but tracer dye often reverts back to blue when dissolved in water. 29

Appendix

WEIGHTS AND MEASURES CHARTS AMERICAN FLUID MEASURE 80 drops = 1 teaspoonful (tsp) 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoonful (tbsp) 2 tablespoons = 1 fluid ounce (fl oz) 8 fluid ounces = 1 cup (c) 2 cups = 1 pint (pt) 2 pints = 1 quart (qt) 4 quarts = 1 gallon (gal) AMERICAN DRY MEASURE 3 teaspoons = 1 tablespoon 16 tablespoons = 1 cup 2 cups = 1 pint 2 pints = 1 quart

When You Know inches feet yards miles centimeters meters kilometers ounces/gallon ounces pounds short tons grams kilograms metric tons fluid ounces pints, U.S. pints, Imp. quarts, U.S. quarts, Imp. gallons, U.S. gallons, Imp. mililiters liters liters liters liters liters liters

Multiply By: 25 30 0.9 1.6 0.393 1.1 0.6 7.5 28 0.45 0.9 0.035 2.2 1.1 30 0.47 0.568 0.95 1.137 3.8 4.546 0.034 2.1 1.76 1.06 0.88 0.26 0.22

To Find: millimeters centimeters meters kilometers inches yards miles grams/liter grams kilograms metric tons ounces pounds short tons mililiters liters liters liters liters liters liters fluid ounces pints, U.S. pints, Imp. quarts, U.S. quarts, Imp. gallons, U.S. gallons, Imp.

CONVERSION ounces/grams

grams/ounces

pounds/kilograms

kilograms/pounds

1 ounce = 28.350 grams

1 gram = 0.035 ounces

1 pound = 0.454 kg

1 kg = 2.205 pounds

2 ounces = 56.699 grams

2 grams = 0.071 ounces

2 pounds = 0.907 kg

2 kg = 4.409 pounds

3 ounces = 85.049 grams

3 grams = 0.106 ounces

3 pounds = 1.361 kg

3 kg = 6.614 pounds

4 ounces = 113.398 grams

4 grams = 0.141 ounces

4 pounds = 1.814 kg

4 kg = 8.819 pounds

5 ounces = 141.748 grams

5 grams = 0.176 ounces

5 pounds = 2.268 kg

5 kg = 11.023 pounds

6 ounces = 170.097 grams

6 grams = 0.212 ounces

6 pounds = 2.722 kg

6 kg = 13.226 pounds

7 ounces = 198.447 grams

7 grams = 0.247 ounces

7 pounds = 3.175 kg

7 kg = 15.432 pounds

8 ounces = 226.796 grams

8 grams = 0.282 ounces

8 pounds = 3.629 kg

8 kg = 17.637 pounds

9 ounces = 255.146 grams

9 grams = 0.317 ounces

9 pounds = 4.082 kg

9 kg = 19.842 pounds

ICL Water Soluble Fertilizer Summary Chart

290 A 5.50

4.50 0.79

0.75 7.5

7.1 276

283

27.3

41.7

36.8

0.0

72.7

58.3

63.2

20.3 138.9

43.5

25.2

83.3

92.1

0.0

16.7

0.0

0.8

22.0

0.0

1.1

0.117 0.117 0.467 0.233

0.122 0.122 0.500 0.250

0.105 0.105 0.500 0.237

0.047 0.233

0.050 0.250

0.050 0.237

Elemental ppm contained in a 100 ppm N solution

578 A 235

2 to 4*

9.0

2 to 4* 0.91

3.50

B 33 A

E99001

2 to 4*

E99000 A

Ideally Potential EC per Oz/100 gal 1 level Suited Acidity (A) / Maximum 100 to obtain tsp/gal = New approx. for Water Basicity (B) Solubility ppm N 100 Stock # Icon Type(s) (CCE/ton) (lb/gal) ppm N ppm N NH4-N Urea-N NO3-N (mS/cm)

18-18-18 Multi-Purpose

19-11-21 Multi-Purpose

E99003

0.050 0.262

For more information on Peters Professional® S.T.E.M.™ and Peters Professional® Uni‑Mix® 11-5-11, see the Peters® Specialty Products section of https://calculators.icl-sf.com/productselector/.

Product Name

15-7-25 High Mag/High K

0.128 0.128 0.767 0.243

0.000 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

0.125 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

0.0 0.0

48.1

0.0

1.9

0.0

0.200 0.125 0.667 0.333 0.0500 0.250

0.0

13.3

0.125 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

0.0

0.125 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

0.0

33.3

0.0

27.8

79.4

13.3

0.0

79.4

83.3

23.1

14.5

10.4

25.0

90.0

10.4

14.5

111.1

0.0

46.2

33.3

60.5

5.8

0.0

83.3

60.0

78.7

6.7

0.0

5.2

84.0

0.0

5.2

14.0

93.1

66.7

7.3

34.3

5.3

100.0

34.8

194

320

10.7

0.0

6.9

276

9.0

6.4

169

0.0

320

9.0

168

6.4

0.69

0.63

10.4

6.4

0.83

13.5

0.85

3.00

4.00

0.75

0.63

377 A

3.50

0.70

3.50

131 B

5.00

4.00

234 B

5.00

390 A

2 to 4

335 B

1218 A

1 to 2

357 B

2 to 4

1 to 2

3 to 4*

E99152

1 to 4

E99140

21-5-20 Multi Purpose No Boron

E99130

E99150

15-5-15 Cal-Mag Special

E99120

0.156 0.140 0.600 0.300 0.060 0.300

G99002

15-2-20 Pansy, Salvia & Vinca

E99160

0.063 0.063 0.250 0.125 0.0250 0.125

21-5-20 Multi Purpose

13-2-13 Plug & Bedding Plant Special

0.0

21-7-7 Acid Hammer

10-0-0 MagNitrate Special

8.3

0.125 0.125 0.714 0.238 0.0476 0.238

0.0

0.063 0.063 0.250 0.125 0.0250 0.125

1.5

61.9

0.063 0.063 0.250 0.125 0.0250 0.125

0.0

0.100 0.050 1.000 0.250 0.0500 0.250

0.0

2.9

0.0

50.0

0.3

12.5

55.6

0.0

0.8

8.7

27.8

0.0

6.8

14.5 14.5

83.3

0.0

56.8

0.0

43.5

0.0

36.3 50.5

27.5

83.3

0.0

52.0

79.2

34.2 49.5

52.0

6.5

21.7

43.2

20.5

60.0

29.6 245

20.5

61.0

355

238

0.0

250 6.4

238

0.0

5.3

6.8

40.0

5.6

0.52

6.8

39.0

0.57

0.41

305

0.45

4.00

0.41

305

5.50

3.50

6.8

3.00

1518 A

3.50

6.8

593 A

576 A

0.62

726 A

3 to 4

576 A

0.54

1 to 4

2 to 4

3.50

1 to 4

2 to 4

5.00

404 A

E99330

424 A

E99087

E99290

1 to 4

E99720

21-7-7 Acid Special

E99291

1 to 4

24-8-16 Foliage Special

20-20-20 GP

25-5-15 High Efficiency

20-20-20 GP No Dye

0.000 0.000 0.000 0.000 0.0000 0.000

E99300

0.0

E99090

23.1

20-3-19 Petunia Special

46.2

20-10-20 GP

83.3

0.125 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

6.7

0.000 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

96.9

0.0

0.125 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

0.0

3.1

0.8

0.0

160

0.8

10.4

5.5

0.74

0.0

0.125 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

3.00

0.0

0.125 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

356 B

83.3

5.6

0.125 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

1 to 2

83.3

0.0

0.045 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.5000 0.250

4.3

21.7

0.0

E99340

60.0

7.4

13.9

6.7

0.125 0.125 1.000 0.250 0.0500 0.250

13-2-13 Plug & Bedding Plant Special No Minors, No Dye

64.0

0.0

0.7

0.125 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

120.0 160.0 1.000 0.300 6.000 1.000 0.2000 0.300

0.0

23.5

16.7

6.7

0.125 0.125 0.500 0.250 0.0500 0.250

0.0

40.0

83.3

78.7

0.0

16.7

0.0

83.3

36.0

7.7

19.3

94.4

13.3

21.7 284

76.5

59.4

14.5 138.9

46.4

0.0

13.0

95.7 433.3

305

0.0

71.3

52.7

138.9

0.0

33.3

59.5 6.8

23.5

40.6

0.0

26.7

8.7

83.3

100.0

6.8

20.7

0.0

0.0 0.57

216

267

28.7

73.3

130.4 166.7

0.0

0.60

197

86.7

0.0

3.00

7.9

7.5

225

0.0

50.0

40.5

3.00

9.0

0.0

•

402 A

0.65

9.0

26.7

0.0

0.067 0.167 0.333 0.167 0.0017 0.167

284

290 A

0.62

13.3

0.0

0.100 0.250 0.500 0.250 0.0025 0.250

6.8 1 to 4

5.00

3.00

0.77

232

50.0

0.0

27.0

1 to 4

4.25

188

0.0

1.45

27 B

381 A

2.50

9.0

129

27.8

0.0

0.59

1 to 2

1 to 4

48 A

202 A

9.0

14.5

83.3

3.00

E99252

2 to 4

0.79

13.5

10.3

43.5

3.00

E99270

1 to 4

2.50

0.86

0.71

82.7

27.0

415 A

20-10-20 Peat-Lite Special No Boron

E99240

13 A

3.25

5.00

7.0

49.0

215 B

20-2-20 Peat-Lite Low Phos Special

E99230

1 to 4

365 A

221 B

300

24.0

1 to 4

18-8-17 Peat-Lite High Mag Special

E99210

2 to 4

1 to 2

4.5

242

1 to 4

17-3-17 Peat-Lite Neutral Cal-Mag

E99220

0.18

6.8

15-16-17 Peat-Lite Special

E99320

4.25

0.51

15-5-25 Peat-Lite Flowering Crop Special

E99260

1043 A

3.50

E99310

15-3-25 Peat-Lite Flowering Crop Special Plus Iron

E99350

•

570 A

E99250

15-0-15 Peat-Lite Dark Weather Feed

•

572 A

20-10-20 Peat-Lite Special

10-30-20 Peat-Lite Plant Starter

E99710

•

5-11-26 Hydroponic Special

30-10-10 Hi Nitro Foliar Feed

E99700

20-20-20 Ag & Landscape Special

*Not recommended for use with water sources containing 100 ppm or less total alkalinity.

Brand Peters Excel® pHLow® Peters Excel® Peters Professional® Peters Professional® Peat-Lite Peters® Specialty

4950 Blazer Parkway Dublin, Ohio 43017 www.icl-sf.com | www.icl-group.com

OH2000 32 121917