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.
Watch out
- 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.
- At 2.66% sodium and 4.69% iron, a heavy dose brings those along too. Every amendment brings passengers.
- Ask for the heavy metal results before stacking dressings year after year.
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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.
- If swallowed, or if the product gets into the eyes or irritates the skin, rinse the area well and call the National Poisons Centre on 0800 POISON (0800 764 766).
Shipping and returns
We ship nationwide across New Zealand. Orders are usually dispatched within 1 to 2 business days and rural delivery can take longer. Unopened products can be returned within 30 days.
