The use of Bell Aquaculture’s Fish Rich® 2-2-2 Organic as a primary fertilizer on poinsettias was trialed at Heartland Growers, Inc. (Westfield, IN), from early September through the end of November 2012. The project was led by Heartland's Young Plant Specialist Ben Matthews, who says the common fertilizer formula and a volume to weight conversion factor were used to obtain 250 ppm of nitrogen for the trial (specific formulation for the study is available on request). Matthews recounts: "Overall, the results were impressive - especially in terms of the rich color of the modified bracts. Another notable result was the 2-2-2 regiment had a growth regulating effect on the poinsettias. None of the poinsettias being trialed with Fish Rich exhibited any symptoms of nutrient deficiency or toxicity."

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Fertilizing Poinsettias with Fish Rich® 2­2­2 Organic Fertilizer
The use of Bell Aquaculture's Fish Rich® 2‐2‐2 Organic Fertilizer as a primary fertilizer on poinsettias was trialed at
Heartland Growers, Inc. (Westfield, IN), from early September through the end of November 2012. The project was
led by Heartland's Young Plant Specialist Ben Matthews.
Matthews recounts: "The common fertilizer formula and a volume to weight conversion factor were used to obtain
250 ppm of nitrogen (see formulation details below). Initially, the fertilizer was applied continuously. During the
second week of October and proceeding, the fertilizer was applied at every‐other irrigation, or about twice per week.
Finally, during the month of November, the FishRich was applied once per week. Basically, frequency of fertilizer
application was reduced as the poinsettias matured and thus did not require as much fertilizer. It should be
disclaimed that while no other fertilizer than FishRich was purposely applied; there is a chance that the poinsettias
received a minute amount of the regular poinsettia feed at Heartland Growers. It should also be noted that there was
an initial charge in the substrate before FishRich was applied‐ although this too, was minute. The results were still
quite distinguishable.
"Overall, the results were impressive ‐ especially in terms of the rich color of the modified bracts. The cultivars tested
were: ‘Prima’, ‘Whitestar’, ‘Mars Pink’, and ‘Euroglory Red’. In each case of the two red cultivars along with the white
and pink, the color was deeper than their counterparts not treated with Fish Rich. Another notable result was the
Fish Rich 2‐2‐2 regiment had a growth regulating effect on the poinsettias. None of the poinsettias being trialed with
Fish Rich exhibited any symptoms of nutrient deficiency or toxicity."
Heartland Growers is a full‐service wholesale greenhouse, owned and operated by the Gapinski Family since 1984.
Since inception, Heartland Growers has been supplying wholesale plants and services to local independent garden
centers, florists and landscapers as well as national chain stores throughout the Midwest. For more information, visit:
http://www.heartlandgrowers.com.
Fish Rich® 2‐2‐2 Organic Fertilizer Formulation for Study on Poinsettias
General Fertilizer Formula:
oz/gal concentrate = (desired concentration (ppm N) X dilution factor) / %N of fertilizer X 75
Fish Rich® 2­2­2 @ desired 250 ppm N:
(250ppm X 1:1) / (2 % N X 75) = 1.45 wt oz per gallon
46 lbs / 5 gal = 9.2 lbs / gal = 147.2 wt oz / gal = 1.15 wt oz / fl oz
1.45 wt oz per gal / 1.15 wt oz / fl oz = 1.45 fl oz / gal @ 250 ppm
Contact: Regina Dunlavy • Regina@bellaquaculture.com • (260) 251‐3900