Sustained-release plant food

Abstract

Solid plant food formulations are disclosed which can be embedded in the soil adjacent but spaced from the plant roots for the release of primary plant nutrients and fertilizing components each time the plant is watered. The solid compositions contain fertilizer constituents, gel-forming materials and reactants therefore which, in the presence of water, combine to form a semi-permeable surface membrane or layer through which the plant nutrients migrate. Beneficial trace elements are also included. Sequestering agents are incorporated to enhance and insure the migration of the nutrients, particularly the trace elements, into the soil and preventing the formation of water-soluble products through metathetic reactions or reactions with the ingredients in the soil. The amount of nutrients released is proportionate to the volume of water applied. The formulations, in one embodiment, are in the form of a cylindrical, solid stick that can be readily segmented into shorter pieces for small potted plants or one or more such solid sticks can be used for larger pots and larger plants. A probe for forming an appropriate hole of the required diameter and depth is provided to facilitate placement of the stick in the soil to the proper depth and insuring that the requisite amount of nutrients is available and furnished for the plant at each watering.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.