S-Chelate have launched a new fertiliser formulated specifically for tomatoes.
S-Chelate Protom Fertiliser – Super Concentrated
When Greenhouse Sensations ceased trading it seemed that we’d no longer be able to obtain Nutrigrow fertiliser, which I mainly used in my Quadgrow wicking pot growing systems. Of course I looked around for an alternative feed and settled on S-Chelate’s 12 Star.
After using 12 Star for a couple of years, I’ve no hesitation in recommending it as a general fertiliser and for use in Quadgrows where a complete fertiliser is a necessity for good results.
However, I’d picked up that 12 Star wasn’t giving ideal results in some circumstances. In hot conditions, especially when using soft water, tomatoes were developing blossom end rot in wicking and hydroponic situations. This was due to the tomatoes growing very quickly in the warmth and using up the available calcium.
Why Soft Water?
Most tap water contains between 100 and 200mg of calcium carbonate per litre which combines with the fertiliser to provide the necessary calcium, Hard water contains between 200 and 300mg of calcium carbonate per litre but soft water contains less than 100mg of calcium carbonate per litre.
Developing a New Tomato Fertiliser
Barry Langdon, the chief chemist at S-Chelate, wanted to solve this calcium problem and develop a fertiliser especially optimised for tomato production. It’s quite a complex business developing a new fertiliser. You can’t just chuck more chemicals in.
An example is that tomatoes need a good supply of phosphorus and especially potassium (potash) to produce well. However, excess amounts of these can lock-up magnesium which is absolutely necessary for the formation of chlorophyll (it is the central atom in the chlorophyll molecule C 55H 72O 5N 4Mg ).
To further complicate things, some chemicals will react differently at different acidity levels. This can vary according to your water supply. UK tap water’s pH can vary between 6.5, slightly acid, to 9.5, which is quite alkaline. Even rainwater’s pH may vary from its normal 5.6 for various reasons.
The specialist skill of the chemists at S-Chelate enables them to produce formulations that will provide the optimum nutrition without over-supplying and causing problems.
Use the recommend amounts.
This is why it is important to use fertilisers at the recommended levels. Adding extra is unlikely to increase growth or yield. In fact the opposite is more likely. It’s also most cost efficient to use fertiliser at the recommended amounts. Why spend more than you need for a bumper crop?
Testing and Trials
Tomato Plants on Trial at Rothamsted Research Glasshouse
Having worked out some possible formulas, the next thing is to see if they work. Initially S-Chelate came up with six formulations that appeared promising. This was narrowed down to best two which were trialled along with S-Chelate 12-Star and a well known competitors complete fertiliser.
These were used to grow tomatoes under tightly controlled conditions at S-Chelate’s laboratories and glasshouse based at the world-famous Rothamsted Research.
Growth, yield and tomatoes affected by blossom end rot were recorded. A number of approaches to boosting Calcium were tried but the one that came out top was applying the S-Chelate chelation technique to an alternative Calcium source. The best of the new formulations was selected to become S-Chelate Protom, professional tomato fertiliser.
Super Concentrated
Super concentrated Protom reduces packaging and transport costs as well as being environmentally friendly. It’s also very cost effective. With S-Chelate Protom the dosage rate is half that of 12 Star. Just one 5ml scoop per 4.5 litres of water is sufficient when using in a Quadgrow.
Other Crops
Protom is basically formulated for tomatoes but is an excellent feed for aubergines and peppers. They’re also members of the Solanaceae family and can suffer blossom end rot just like tomatoes
More information and to buy Protom visit S-Chelate.
Launch Offer for us!
S-Chelate are offering us £3.00 per tub off Super Concentrated Protom Tomato Feed. This enables us to try super concentrated Protom for the same price as 12-Star.Use voucher code PTINTRO to claim at the checkout.
Free delivery with orders over £20.00 Time limited offer.
As a long term user of Quadgrow and Nutrigrow I have been very satisfied withe system and the feed. I live in Cornwall and our water is soft and we have had occasional blossom end rot problems, particularly the first set tomato on the first truss. Is there any technical reason to consider switching to S-Chelate given that Nutrigrow is now available?
Hi Tony – You have soft water and Blossom End Rot (BER) problems with Nutrigrow. Protom was specifically formulated to avoid BER.
Although S-Chelate don’t state the name of the competitor it was trialled against, I’d bet a tenner it was Nutrigrow.
Incidentally, as well as being superior for users in soft water areas, it’s more convenient to use and considerably less expensive.
A pack of Protom makes 900 litres of continuous use fertiliser suitable for a Quadgrow for £19.95 – 2.22p/litre
A pack of Nutrigrow makes 416 litres for £14.99 – 3.60p/litre
(costs ignore special voucher offers, delivery etc.)