19 replies to this topic

[EnigmaticBiker]

If its a mixed fertiliser, that wont solve the problem. When it dries out, you'll have a 'drier' mixed fertiliser!

I should have added, remove the clean crystals (use the liquid for fertiliser or dispose) and try those, if that doesn't work, it isn't KNO3.

> jsoh019

KNO3 generally forms long straight crystals (at first) when cooled slowly from a hot saturated solution.
It is clear and the powder appears white when pure, look up the Material Safety Data Sheet, there is loads of info online.

If in doubt, buy some clean KNO3 for fireworks and learn how to grow fruit with the other stuff.

[jsoh019]

Ok thanks for all the info guys, i will see what i can do

Josh

[YT2095]

KNO3 generally forms long straight crystals (at first) when cooled slowly from a hot saturated solution.
It is clear and the powder appears white when pure, look up the Material Safety Data Sheet, there is loads of info online.

If in doubt, buy some clean KNO3 for fireworks and learn how to grow fruit with the other stuff.

I`m currently making a new batch of KNO3 today also (should be around 100gms) and I love watching the crystals grow as the soln cools slowly, I took a Pic to share with you and also show how they look as explained by EB above: http://myweb.tiscali...095/kno3wow.jpg

and yes, I feed my Chilis on the stuff too, the love Potassium and nitrates, but it`s important to wait until they start flowering and setting fruit before you add it!
else you get a whole bunch of green and no chilis!

hope you like the pic

[GuiltyCol]

I`m currently making a new batch of KNO3 today

hope you like the pic

Nice pic. Is the method you are using documented anywhere?

Ta.

[YT2095]

I`ve no idea, but more than likely is somewhere, it`s not Original.

I used piles of wood ash (at the end of the year all the dead plants and detritus gets burned), I add this all to water and mix well, then I add garden Lime to this, again mix it well.
leave it 24 hours to separate.
then pour this liquid off into a bowl of AN soln, Ammonia is given off, I leave the bowl in the greenhouse to evaporate.
collect the crystals and add then redisslove them in just enough how water to Filter it.
add a little excess KOH at this point, there should be no ammonia smell.
I then add a little excess Nitric acid and test the PH it should be quite low.
boil this down to crystals again, that will drive off the excess Nitric acid and leave a reasonably pure product.

the basic rule is to get rid of all Ammonium ions.