MIXING The objective of mixing dry Micro Humate Powder with water is to make a suspension which is capable of delivering the maximum concen- tration of humic/fulvic acids possible in one gallon of liquid at a native pH of 3.7. It is assumed that the concentrated mixture (suspension) will then be diluted to some extent prior to application, depending upon the application method. Mixing at lower concentrations will require proportionately less dilution for application.

Mixing the concentrated liquid The concentrated liquid form of Micro Humate Powder , when completed, will contain approximately 39% by weight solid Micro Humate Powder , which is formulated to contain the proper amount of suspending agent (Micro Humate Powder has an average particle size of 15 microns). The remainder of the mixture will be ordinary tap or well water.

Mix according to Quantities on the LABEL: 1. Use an oversized container 2. Add water 3. Add wetting agent/surfactant (optional) 4. Add Micro Humate Powder 5. Stir or agitate until suspended (avoid shearing). 6. If left standing over 24 hours, stir, agitate or sparge to fully suspend before application 7. If left standing over 1 week, add 4 oz of 30% hydrogen peroxide per 100 gallons to retard microbial growth.

Dilution for spray application: Although Micro Humate Powder can be sprayed at full strength (12% humic + fulvic) we do not recommend it. The reason for this is that screens or nozzles, even though the orifices are substantially larger than the particle size of Micro Humate Powder , can be “crowded” when the liquid moves through, even at moderate rates. This “crowding” will result in a stoppage of flow and is difficult to clear even by cavita- tion. Most applications (see rates below) will require additional liquid in order to obtain coverage. We recommend that Micro Humate Powder at full strength be diluted by at least a factor of 10, preferably 15 or higher, and that circulation or agitation be maintained during treatment to ensure the mixture stays distributed evenly throughout the spray.

Drip Irrigation As most drip systems have screens as fine as 200 mesh, it is recommended to mix Micro Humate Powder to a strength not exceeding ½ lb. of powder per gallon of water. This will prevent “crowding” the screen. The product must be continuously agitated.

Cleanout In order to remove traces of Micro Humate Powder from tank bottoms, lines, nozzles etc. it is recommended that the system by flushed / circulated with clear water for approximately 5-10 minutes after the last application of the day. Micro Humate Powder will not “pack” in the system but may remain as loose particles in areas of low velocity as treatment comes to an end. Flushing will remove these traces and leave tanks clean and ready to use for your next application.

APPLICATION RATES

Foliar application
Micro Humate Powder can be foliar applied at the rate of 1 to 2 gallons per acre (4 to 8 liters per acre; 9 to 18 liters per hectare), with 1 gallon per acre being the median rate (for a 12% solution - 1.7 lbs/gallon or 243 grams per liter). In terms of dry material, this works out to 2 – 4 lbs. of dry concentrate per acre or 2.3 to 4.6 kg per hectare.

We generally recommend the 1 gallon rate for row crops, and the 2 gallon rate for higher cash value plants, because the cost of produc- tion for row crops is generally lower and close to the return when the crop is sold.

Foliar application: 2 – 3 times per growing season is recommended for row crops and forages. Plants need to be just past the seedling stage - about 25% coverage of the ground before the first application. Second application is usually just before flowering, or just before the onset of the reproductive stage of the crop. The 3rd application would be early in the grain fill or fruit/vegetable sizing stage.

For forages which are cut more than once per year; a foliar treatment in the spring and after each cutting should occur when the plants have grown back to cover 1/4 to 1/3 of the ground (alfalfa, clovers), or when grasses reach about 7 cm in height.

For ornamentals and high cash value vegetable crops, foliar treatment intervals from 2 - 4 weeks are effective.

For turf/lawns , a treatment every 4 - 8 weeks is recommended (3 – 6 ozs. liquid / 1,000 sq. ft., which works out to 2-3 ounces of powder per 1,000 sq. ft. every 4 - 8 weeks).

Soil application
Micro Humate Powder mixes well with liquid fertilizers such as urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) and ammonium polyphosphate (10 -34 - 0), and can be applied in a band with the liquid fertilizer at planting to maintain the solubility of the nutrients. The rate would be the same as for foliar applications.

We do not recommended Micro Humate Powder for broadcast soil application. The reason is much higher rates are needed to treat the entire soil profile to significantly improve soil properties and stimulate microorganisms (at least 75 lbs/acre dry granular 70% humate at -1/4" particle size to treat the plow layer). Dry granular Tri-C Premium Humate is much cheaper per pound than Micro Humate Powder . We know that the greatly increased surface area in the Micro Humate Powder causes it to outperform dry granular Tri-C Premium Humate when both are applied at equal rates in the range of 75 – 250 lbs./acre. However it currently is not known how much the rate can be lowered to achieve the same response with Micro Humate Powder as can be obtained with applications of dry granular Tri-C Premium Humate .