Why use seasol on your garden

Seaweed is a brown algae which has been utilised in crop production for centuries, but until recently, scientists have known little about its unique properties.

It wasn't until the late 1980's that equipment required for such delicate analysis was developed. Now there are highly accurate means of quantifying the naturally occurring growth stimulants in seaweed.

Seasol is a 100% Australian liquid seaweed extract made from a unique species of kelp, Durvillea Potatorum, which grows only in the unpolluted waters around Southern Australia. This particular type of bull kelp grows in the sea beds, and can reach over 18 metres in height, with a single plant weighing more than 150kgs.

The massive seas of the Great Southern Ocean wash mountains of bull kelp up onto the beaches of King Island and the West Coast of Tasmania, and it is from these beaches that the kelp is harvested.

No marine forests are touched, therefore making it a sustainable source.

Seasol's specialised soil conditioners address the worldwide problems of soil degradation.

Seasol is a dynamic growth stimulant and plant tonic, it is not by definition a fertiliser. Scientific trials and field observations over many years have proven its value as a means of promoting healthy vigorous growth in plants, improving resistance to insect and fungal attack, and reducing the symptoms of stress from excessive heat, frost damage and transplanting.

Seasol was the first Australian produced liquid seaweed concentrate. It provides benefits that a straight fertiliser simply cannot.

The Seasol processing plant in Tasmania is truly unique, and the only one of its type in the world.

The manufacturing process used to extract the liquid concentrate is also unique. Seasol is the only seaweed extract in Australia to have the naturally occurring growth stimulants scientifically identified, and this work, conducted by the Australian National University, has been published and is recognised worldwide.

Now you know what Seasol is. How does it work ?

GROWTH STIMULANTS

Seasol contains naturally occurring growth stimulants which have a profound effect on the vegetative and reproductive capacity of the plant.

The growth stimulants in Seasol provide benefits such as:

• Stimulation of the root system
• Improved number of blooms and setting of fruit
• Extended flowering season

TRANSLOCATION OF CARBOHYDRATES

Durvillaea potatorum has the highest alginic acid content of any brown kelp species in the world. It contains 60% alginic acid as opposed to other brown kelps, which contain not more than 32%. It is the alginates in Seasol which contribute to increased uptake of carbohydrates and solids.

This means the plant has a degree of frost protection, a higher wilt point and (coupled with the growth regulator effect) has a stronger (more turgid) cell structure which reduces the incidence of fungal and insect attack.

WHAT MAKES SEASOL DIFFERENT FROM A FERTILISER ?

Nitrogen based fertilisers are often highly soluble and the plant cannot regulate how much it takes up. If confused nitrogen stimulates extensive growth which results in a weakening of the cell wall if used too frequently, or at too higher rate.

By contrast, Seasol promotes cell division as well as cell elongation and this, along with thicker cell walls, renders the plant much less prone to sucking insects and fungal pathogens, which must pierce the cell to inflict their damage.

Another difference between Seasol and a fertiliser, is that Seasol is a balanced formulation containing many trace elements, amino acids, vitamins and other compounds essential for plant growth.

Every known trace element is found in Bull Kelp.

BENEFITS OF SEASOL

Seasol is designed to complement a sound nutritional program and can provide benefits over and above a straight nutritional regime, i.e. not only the growth stimulating benefits of a fertiliser, but many other benefits as well, including:

• Markedly improved root mass
• Increased number of blooms
• Increased yield
• Reduced sucking insect attack (eg aphids, spider mite)
• Reduced fungal infestation (eg black spot, mildew)
• Reduced transplant shock
• Increased tolerance to adverse environmental conditions such as heat and drought
• Increased nutrient uptake

Seasol can be applied to any plant including natives and acid lovers, at any time of the year.

The root system will be stimulated at any time of the year, even winter, which makes Seasol ideal for winter transplanting.