Another Benefit of K-Lite

[Ray]

I've been using the stuff since late November of 2011, and as logical as it might be, I have only just realized that the algae buildup in my pots - including semi-hydroponics - and greenhouse walls is practically nonexistent, even though I am keeping it wetter than ever.

 

[lepetitmartien]

Mhmmm looks like a good way to verify the trick would be to supplement some pots with K and watch the world crumble to dust. ^^ oke::evil:

 

[Erythrone]

I've been using the stuff since late November of 2011, and as logical as it might be, I have only just realized that the algae buildup in my pots - including semi-hydroponics - and greenhouse walls is practically nonexistent, even though I am keeping it wetter than ever.

Didn't you reduce the dose too?

 

[Ray]

Didn't you reduce the dose too?

Not at first, but that's a good point.

 

[ALToronto]

Isn't it phosphorus that most contributes to algae growth? K-lite is also P-lite...

 

[Paphman910]

Isn't it phosphorus that most contributes to algae growth? K-lite is also P-lite...

That is correct!

 

[Rick]

Well NPK is important to all plants (including algae). We culture lots of unicellar algae in our lab and there's plenty of K in the nutrient formula for that.

But most eutrification/algae bloom issues are associated with N and P.

It's pretty rare to see a lot of K around (without N and P also present) to figure which is the smoking gun, but I've seen plenty of river and pond systems with less than a ppm of K go nuts/split pea soup with a dash of N or P added.

 

[TyroneGenade]

There is a lot of work out there on what limits algae growth and the truth is that the identity of the limiting nutrient shifts from circumstance to circumstance. In high N conditions, P is the primary limiting factor but non-existent K (and Na) will also limit growth. High P and N is limiting... I'm ignoring the affect of Fe, Mg, Mn etc... In the aquarium scene the idea is that plant can out compete algae for NP & K if their other needs are met (generally we have plant packed aquarium with a NPK so up and ample CO2). If we skimp on the CO2 or let some nutrient level get too low then the algae explodes (and it seems to be pot-luck which algae gets out of hand). Given the ample access to water and CO2 and the high levels of micronutrients it possible that the plants are simply able to use the N and P faster than the algae can, rather than that they are limited in any particular way.

One other thing about algae, and why they do well in saline polluted rivers, is that they use Na and K ions to import bicarbonate and then use it as a C source. They can do this day and night. K-light is also Na-light so the algae have lost there most powerful weapon in their struggle against plants for nutrients.

tt4n

 

[Rick]

One other thing about algae, and why they do well in saline polluted rivers, is that they use Na and K ions to import bicarbonate and then use it as a C source. They can do this day and night. K-light is also Na-light so the algae have lost there most powerful weapon in their struggle against plants for nutrients.

tt4n

Tyrone that may be an over generalization for all 10 million species of algae. There's plenty that work fantastically in rivers very low in monovalent cations.