Optimin (Spray Fertilizer)
Originally, OPTIMIN was made to promote agricultural prosperity among cultures with problems such as colour, needle length, stiffness of branches, and others.
We performed a large number of analyses of soil and needles in the same cultures. We found that in spite of the fact that there was sufficient supply of one particular nutrient in the ground; the trees would still have a significant lack of that nutrient in the needles.
The result showed us that the trees might have difficulties to absorb certain nutrients. The reason is often the lack of micronutrients, that absorption of any macronutrient requires the presence of specific micronutrients. A spray fertilizer with a range of amino acids will penetrate the needles to prevent white spots on them.
We are very proud to have developed OPTIMIN and acquired the improved quality of the Christmas tree: long, dark needles, stronger branches, and many more buds. By chance we became involved in an experiment in Landwirtschaftkammer Münsterneubeck to find out if it was possible to make the plants more resistant towards spring frost. The high amount of potassium in OPTIMIN very quickly penetrated the plants and made them resistant down to a low of minus three centigrades. OPTIMIN has also proved itself useful in the late autumn, if the colour of the trees has been dissatisfactory. One single spray with OPTIMIN has quickly changed the situation without the risk of scorch damages.
OPTIMIN contains:
OPTIMIN contains no less than 11 different nutrients in a compound designed to meet the needs of Christmas trees. A range of 19 different amino acids facilitates a very extensive use of the fertilizer. OPTIMIN also contains 2% of lignin sulphate, which helps the plants to absorb the nutrients and is very important to use on leaves with a thick layer of wax.
One may also use OPTIMIN on new buds without any risk of scorching. It is best to use spray fertilizer early morning or late evening, and never in sunshine or on plants with stress.
The most important nutrients:
The most important nutrients are N, P, Mg, and S.
Analyses of needles from Danish Christmas tree cultures often show a hidden lack of these nutrients. The result is that some trees in the culture – but not all – show a damage on the needles.
The problem with insufficient nutrients must be solved by using granulated fertilizers annually. However, OPTIMIN may solve an acute problem, and may also improve the result of the basic fertilization.
The most important nutrients are N, P, Mg, and S.
Analyses of needles from Danish Christmas tree cultures often show a hidden lack of these nutrients. The result is that some trees in the culture – but not all – show a damage on the needles.
The problem with insufficient nutrients must be solved by using granulated fertilizers annually. However, OPTIMIN may solve an acute problem, and may also improve the result of the basic fertilization.
N (Nitrogen)
Very active internally as well as externally on the plant. Essential for the colour and vigour of the tree.
P (Phosphorus)
Activates the resources of the plant. Particularly important for the growth of the roots. Active in the plant but inactive in the ground. Hard to come by for the plant with lack of magnesium and sulphur.
K (Potassium)
Essential for the fullness of the needles, the stiffness of the branches, and winter maturing. Active in the plant. May be hard to utilize on a clay soil. Mg (Magnesium) Important for the creation of chlorophyll and thereby of importance for the colour of the needles. Active in the plant.
S (Sulphur)
Important part of amino acids and enzymes. Inactive in the plant. The need for sulfur is generally underestimated in Christmas trees and farm production as a whole.
Fe (Iron)
Great importance for the colour. Color differences between new and older needles may be compensated by the use of OPTIMIN with Fe. Low activity in the plant.
Mn (Manganese)
Part of photosynthesis and enzymes working on destruction of growth hormones. Low activity in the plant.
Cu (Copper)
Works in enzymes and chlorophyll granule. Thus, it has impact on the photosynthesis and the transformation of energy in the plant. Also important for the absorption of other nutrients. Inactive in the plant.
Ca (Calcium)
Acute want of Ca in the growth season results in red needles. Ca is placed in the cell wall and is important for the growth of the root.
Zn (Zinc)
Important for budding and the stretching of the shoot.
B (Boron)
A combination of B and Zn may improve the budding.
Very active internally as well as externally on the plant. Essential for the colour and vigour of the tree.
P (Phosphorus)
Activates the resources of the plant. Particularly important for the growth of the roots. Active in the plant but inactive in the ground. Hard to come by for the plant with lack of magnesium and sulphur.
K (Potassium)
Essential for the fullness of the needles, the stiffness of the branches, and winter maturing. Active in the plant. May be hard to utilize on a clay soil. Mg (Magnesium) Important for the creation of chlorophyll and thereby of importance for the colour of the needles. Active in the plant.
S (Sulphur)
Important part of amino acids and enzymes. Inactive in the plant. The need for sulfur is generally underestimated in Christmas trees and farm production as a whole.
Fe (Iron)
Great importance for the colour. Color differences between new and older needles may be compensated by the use of OPTIMIN with Fe. Low activity in the plant.
Mn (Manganese)
Part of photosynthesis and enzymes working on destruction of growth hormones. Low activity in the plant.
Cu (Copper)
Works in enzymes and chlorophyll granule. Thus, it has impact on the photosynthesis and the transformation of energy in the plant. Also important for the absorption of other nutrients. Inactive in the plant.
Ca (Calcium)
Acute want of Ca in the growth season results in red needles. Ca is placed in the cell wall and is important for the growth of the root.
Zn (Zinc)
Important for budding and the stretching of the shoot.
B (Boron)
A combination of B and Zn may improve the budding.
In general:
Activity in the plant means that symptoms of shortage show on elderly needles/shoots. Low activity means they show on new buds, often S, Fe, Mn, and Cu. Spraying is better than granulated fertilization for the absorption of micronutrients.
Activity in the plant means that symptoms of shortage show on elderly needles/shoots. Low activity means they show on new buds, often S, Fe, Mn, and Cu. Spraying is better than granulated fertilization for the absorption of micronutrients.
