Ultra Paramagnetic Andesite Rock

Ultra Paramagnetic Andesite Rock

Ultra Paramagnetic Andesite Rock is a crushed andesite rock dust, a volcanic mineral amendment used as a slow reserve of calcium, potassium, magnesium, silicon and iron in living soil mixes, compost and garden beds.

At a glance

• Type: amendment (rock dust, mineral reserve)
• Analysis: silicon 27.2%, calcium 5.76%, iron 4.69%, potassium 1.34%, magnesium 1.11%, phosphorus 0.151%; full list below
• Use for: a long term mineral reserve in soil mixes, compost and beds
• Rate: 15 kg (8.25 L) per cubic metre of soil mix
• Pack: bulk 500 kg and 1000 kg by quote

What it is

Andesite is a grey to black volcanic rock with between about 52 and 63 weight percent silica (SiO₂). Ours is crushed to a dust and sold by weight. 1 kg of andesite is about 2 and a third cups. The analysis below is the supplier's typical rock analysis.

Bulk is available in 500 kg and 1000 kg quantities. Email store@seaclifforganics.nz for a quote.

What it does

• Holds calcium, potassium, magnesium, silicon and iron as silicate minerals. They weather out over years, not weeks, so rock dust is a long term reserve rather than this season's feed.
• Release depends on particle size, soil pH, biology and temperature. Fine dust in an active, slightly acid soil releases fastest; a cool soil near pH 7 is the slow end.
• It is not a lime. Correct pH with Superfine AgLime. If silicon is the goal, Calsil Boost (wollastonite) releases it far faster.
• Trials in temperate soils are mixed. Use it on purpose: pick the rock for what it carries, dose it by the maths, then measure what changed.

Analysis

Rock analysis, % by weight (elemental), supplier typical

• Magnesium (Mg) 1.11%
• Calcium (Ca) 5.76%
• Phosphorus (P) 0.151% (P₂O₅ 0.35%)
• Potassium (K) 1.34% (K₂O 1.61%)
• Silicon (Si) 27.2%
• Iron (Fe) 4.69%
• Sodium (Na) 2.66%
• Sulphur (S) 0.037%
• Zinc (Zn) 0.008%
• Titanium (Ti) 0.479%
• Vanadium (V) 0.022%
• Manganese (Mn) 0.099%
• Copper (Cu) 0.01%
• Barium (Ba) 0.064%
• Rubidium (Rb) 0.003%
• Strontium (Sr) 0.051%
• Yttrium (Y) 0.003%
• Zirconium (Zr) 0.008%
• pH 7.1

How to use

• Compost: 5 kg, or 1350 mL, per cubic metre.
• Modified media and soil mix: 15 kg, or 8.25 L, per cubic metre.
• Modified media and soil mix: 750 g, or 410 mL, per 50 L.
• Crops: 2.5 kg, or 1375 mL, per square metre.
• Rock dust does not fix a shortage this season and it is not a trace element fertiliser: the zinc in a 25 kg dressing is under 5 g of zinc sulphate, locked in rock.

Learn more in fifteen seconds

• Rock dust: use it on purpose
• Silicon: what it does
• Every amendment brings passengers

Handling and storage

• Wear a mask to avoid inhaling particles and open the bag in a well ventilated area.
• Wear gloves and eye protection, and wash hands after use.
• Once opened, keep sealed and dry.