What Does Blood Meal Mean?
Blood meal is a source of organic, nitrogen-rich fertilizer that often comes in the form of dry powder. Blood meal is sourced from animal blood, often from cattle or hog, and is a slaughterhouse by-product.
In cannabis cultivation, blood meal is used sparingly to stimulate vegetative growth in young plants, both seedlings and clones.
Blood meal can also used as a natural pest deterrent for outdoor plants, as it is believed that the smell of the substance is unappealing to larger animals like moles, deer, and squirrels. Likewise, it can also attract certain kinds of pests like dogs, possums, raccoons, and other omnivorous animals.
Maximum Yield Explains Blood Meal
As blood meal has a very high natural, non-synthetic level of nitrogen, it is used by many organic growers as a fertilizer. Blood meal releases nitrogen fairly quickly, and can help boost levels in poor soil. For example, if a plot of soil has been through repeated plantings, like vegetable beds, it can have low levels of nitrogen. However, if blood meal is added, it can help significantly raise nitrogen levels.
Since it is water soluble, blood meal can be dissolved in water and used as a liquid fertilizer. It can also be mixed into soil, or sprinkled on top of the soil.
Additionally, blood meal can be used to deter some pests like deer, moles, and squirrels. It is thought that the smell of the blood meal is unappealing to these particular animals.
Although blood meal is an excellent fertilizer, it is not without its downsides. Blood meal should be used carefully, and instructions on its application should be closely followed. Like many other fertilizers, blood meal can put too much nitrogen in the soil so considerable caution must be used so that sensitive seedlings don't get fed too much. Excessive amounts of nitrogen can prevent plants from flowering or fruiting by burning the plants, or possibly killing them altogether. Blood meal should be used carefully, and instructions on its application should be closely followed. Blood meal can also attract certain kinds of pests like dogs, possums, raccoons, and other omnivorous animals.
Blood meal can be purchased at many grow shops, garden centers, local nurseries, and feed stores. Also, it can be applied to plants or gardens in a couple of different ways. Since it is water soluble, it can be dissolved in water and used as a liquid fertilizer. It can also be mixed into the soil, or, when used as a pest deterrent, sprinkled on top of the soil.
