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What is Perfect Blend?

Perfect Blend's unique process is unlike any other organic fertilizer available. Most fertilizers "feed" your lawn/garden with high levels of nitrogen. While you may see instant results in the growth of the plant itself, you will find that over time your plant will need more. Until you are looking around for the highest level of nitrogen you can find for your plant.

Not many people know that in doing this, you are in effect feeding your plant "sugar". As if you were to feed a growing child with candy, cupcakes, etc. That child may be growing larger and at a rapid pace, but the child isn't getting all of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. Eventually that child will develop health problems, etc.

Nitrogen Fact Check

Those who use nitrogen values as a measurement tool (a practice started in synthetic nitrogen growing) should know the facts about organic nitrogen.

Nitrogen Fact # 1 – Organic nitrogen is the primary nitrogen source for plants.
For over 100 years, inorganic nitrogen as has been thought to be the primary nitrogen source in the “nitrogen cycle” concept for plants. That theory has since been laid to rest as a result of a recent 10-year study in the Amazon River basin.* A multinational research team discovered that organic nitrogen is the primary nitrogen source for plants. Prior to this groundbreaking study, scientists were unaware that the lakes, bays, and streams tested in populated areas, which showed a majority of inorganic nitrogen in the water, were actually polluted by coal-burning steam engines and power plants. It took a research study in the pristine area of the Amazon Basin before scientists could see the miscalculation and discover the real truth. The new study clearly relegates the value of testing inorganic nitrogen sources to a secondary level in organic agriculture. *Nature Journal

Nitrogen Fact # 2 – At least 50% to 80% of all applied synthetic nitrogen volatiles into the atmosphere or leaches into the ground or surface water.
This finding, confirmed by multiple researchers, means that a grower attempting to apply synthetic nitrogen measurements onto organic crops, might think they need 100 units of nitrogen just as non-organic growers do. In fact, the conventional grower actually receives only 50 to 20 units, due to the labile nature of synthetic nitrogen. Organically grown crop needs are 50% or less of nitrogen units used by synthetic growers. Why? Established organic nitrogen sources feed plants more efficiently than synthetic sources.

Nitrogen Fact # 3 – Conversion ratios of tested organic source nitrogen levels are rarely transmitted into an equivalent value in the soil. This is especially true with labile nutrient organics such as manure.
Those who use synthetic nitrogen values and attempt to interchange them with organic nitrogen values often forget that manure is not as stable a nitrogen source as urea. Consequently, those who think that a tested organic nitrogen value will directly convert to the same factor in the soil are in serious danger of having insufficient soil nutrition hinder the ability of their plants reaching full genetic potential. A wide range of factors affects the conversion of manure-contained nitrogen into nitrogen levels in the soil. Wind force levels, bacteria, and other soil microbes top the list. But there is a host of other factors from soil temperatures, age of the manure, and depth of soil cover to type of soil, and moisture levels, among many others.

Nitrogen Fact # 4 – Manures mixed with straw, litter, or other carbon sources will absolutely not convey tested nitrogen levels to the soil for plant use.
The reason is simple: nitrogen immobilization. Bacteria require nitrogen in their digestive systems to consume carbon such as straw or litter. In a contest between a plant and bacteria, bacteria will always win. Manure that contains visible raw carbon (straw, shavings, or rice hulls) will likely provide good stored nitrogen in about a year after the breakdown of carbon. Consequently, this makes it a poor supplement.

Nitrogen Fact # 5 – Standard soil tests typically do not test the real values of nitrogen in organic soils contained in organic sources. Soil nitrogen testing usually measures inorganic nitrogen sources, testing only ammonia cal nitrogen and nitrates.

Nitrogen Fact # 6 – Using synthetic nitrogen value levels to estimate nitrogen needs for organic growers has no scientific basis.
Organic and inorganic nitrogen units are not interchangeable. Until science can provide formulations or algorithms to determine true conversion factors for each type of organic supplement (according to the multitude of conversion variables), organic growers will be left with a hit or miss situation in applying unprocessed organic materials. To make matters worse, many growers apply expensive amendments that are virtually useless due to the labile nature of the product. Using nitrogen values stated as nitrogen units to value or calculate organics applications is a practice that may seem scientific. In reality, however, this practice may be more costly in the long run because poor conversion nitrogen products are unable to allow full genetic potential yields.

Nitrogen Fact # 7 – Perfect Blend is the best source for organic nitrogen.

Perfect Blend's All Purpose Biotic Plant Food 4-4-2 is great when applied correctly, to meet your fertilizer needs for garden, nursery, house plants, patio plants, and lawn. Your lawn/garden will be getting all of the nutrients it requires, and in the end, your plant will be able to fight off some diseases, and other common problems. Perfect Blend's Biotic Lawn Food 8-4-2 is an organic fertilizer base with the added nitrogen to help your plants get that extra boost right away and then slowly release essential nutrients to your lawn/garden requires maintaining plant health

With added Mycorrhizal

Mycor... What? Mycorrhizal (my'cor·rhi'zal) is a fungus that develops a relationship with your plant. Whether it is grass, vegetables, perennials, or annuals mycorrhizal fungus attaches itself to the plant, and (as if in a science fiction film) "fingers" out into the soil grabbing added nutrients, and moisture, and "feeding" them to the roots of the plant. Perfect Blend has added dormant mycorrhizae within it's mixture, and when watered, these fungi will begin to develop in the soil, and attach themselves to your lawn/garden plants.

What are Mycorrhizal Fungi?

Mycorrhizae is a root fungus, often thought of as the biological cornerstone of plant life on earth, dating back to the beginning of time. More than 90% of plants in nature have established a highly beneficial, symbiotic relationship with this unique group of soil organisms. Mycorrhizal fungus colonies grow in and around plant roots, sending out thousands of tiny tubes into the surrounding soils to find and uptake plant nutrients. These hollow tubes, known as hyphae, are primary conduits of minerals, soil-contained amino acids, photochemical, moisture, and a multitude of other nutrients. The mycorrhizal fungus feeds the plants, and in return, the plants provide CO2 and other nutrients to the fungus.

The fungus also stores any excess, unneeded nutrients for future plant use in the form of gloaming, a high-grade nutrient source. The tiny mycorrhizal hyphen are vital in forming high grade organic soils as is glomalin, which becomes an important component of soil organic matter.

Why does Perfect Blend offer mycorrhizal fungus spores in its fertilizers?

Vital mycorrhizal colonies can vanish due to poor tillage, over-fertilization, compaction, or previous misuse. Perfect Blend fertilizers reinforce existing colonies and re-start new mycorrhizal colonies in soils where natural colonies have been lost. The high quality nutrients provided by Perfect Blend fertilizers are formulated at the right pH and nutrient balance for optimum mycorrhizae growth.

Should you use mycorrhizal?

Absolutely! Perfect Blend growers have consistently documented higher yields from mycorrhizal-inoculated fertilizers. The only plants that do not appear to benefit from these fertilizers are broccoli, azaleas, orchids, or a select few others.

What are the other benefits of mycorrhizal fungi?

Increased drought protection, protection from soil-borne pathogens such as Phytophthora, increased soil values, and more robust plants are all benefits derived from mycorrhizal fungi. Mycorrhizal is not a silver bullet that will immediately correct abused soils or poorly cultivated plants. It is, however, a valuable tool for growers who want to maximize the genetic potential of their plants.