Is hosehold ammonia organic or inorganic!
I remember when a farm pumped ammonia into the ground near tomatoes to make them grow faster! I was wonering if house hold ammonia in a very delute form is good to put on the ground around plants can anyone tell me? Will the ammonia also kil some of the bugs or fungus?
????
I'd think it's inorganic, tho.
I'm really interested in hearing about if people have used hydrogen peroxide to keep bugs away and to aerate the roots, tho....
Read it somewhere, and it really seemed to work a couple years back. The theory is that when bugs get on it, their mouths just start fizzing like hydrogen peroxide does on your blood. Regular 3% is supposedly not harmful for humans, tho.
I'd think it's inorganic, tho.
I'm really interested in hearing about if people have used hydrogen peroxide to keep bugs away and to aerate the roots, tho....
Read it somewhere, and it really seemed to work a couple years back. The theory is that when bugs get on it, their mouths just start fizzing like hydrogen peroxide does on your blood. Regular 3% is supposedly not harmful for humans, tho.
I suppose "organic" would have to be specifically defined. There probably is a good definition out there, but I don't know it. Ammonia is a naturally occurring substance as a by-product of decomposition. Our kidneys make it and it is found in our urine. (Ever smell a cat litter box?) 
The farm was probably using anhydrous ammonia which is basically pure ammonia without water to dilute it. It's nasty stuff. Household ammonia is fairly safe if not used carelessly. I've heard that some folks swear by using it for their house plants. It's not a balanced fertilizer as it only provides nitrogen.
Personally, I think there are better options for a source of nitrogen in the soil as I think it is harmful to the beneficial critters that keep soil healthy. Somebody gave me some ammonium nitrate to use but I have not done so for that reason. Commercial farms use lots of ammonia-based fertilizers and it works, but I think they become dependent on it once they get started. I doubt that their soil is as healthy as it could be.
Those are only my thoughts and opinions. I don't necessarily know what I'm talking about.
The farm was probably using anhydrous ammonia which is basically pure ammonia without water to dilute it. It's nasty stuff. Household ammonia is fairly safe if not used carelessly. I've heard that some folks swear by using it for their house plants. It's not a balanced fertilizer as it only provides nitrogen.
Personally, I think there are better options for a source of nitrogen in the soil as I think it is harmful to the beneficial critters that keep soil healthy. Somebody gave me some ammonium nitrate to use but I have not done so for that reason. Commercial farms use lots of ammonia-based fertilizers and it works, but I think they become dependent on it once they get started. I doubt that their soil is as healthy as it could be.
Those are only my thoughts and opinions. I don't necessarily know what I'm talking about.
-
rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
This is why I always said that chemistry should have to be taken in all schools! Knowing what everything around you is composed of helps in daily life. That is a nice aricle! The complex worl of a plants cycle and what makes it grow s amazing! There are so man natural occuring things and products we use in the home that will work to give plants a better surroundings but I think they should be used in very light doses! Every soil is so different so there is no set standard! I did not like biology in school because of the memorizing the names but would be very interesed now in the concepts of root development and the plant in general. Our life is a green plant for food and air so lets make it the mos important thing in our life in the form of gardening! Who seconds the motion?
Its definitely not organic. Ammonia is produced from natural gas and atmospheric nitrogen via the Haber process. It is the base-first step for production of other inorganic nitrogen fertilizers (nitrate, urea etc.)
The website is partially inaccurate. Plants can take up ammonia just fine and do not need bacteria to convert it first. Ammonia is highly soluble in water which is why farmers can gas soil (doesn't work with dry soil though). It is not the nitrogen source of choice because it does have a different effect on growth than nitrate, and there are pH problems in both directions depending on the form of ammonia used.
The website is partially inaccurate. Plants can take up ammonia just fine and do not need bacteria to convert it first. Ammonia is highly soluble in water which is why farmers can gas soil (doesn't work with dry soil though). It is not the nitrogen source of choice because it does have a different effect on growth than nitrate, and there are pH problems in both directions depending on the form of ammonia used.
-
thanrose
- Greener Thumb
- Posts: 716
- Joined: Fri Oct 16, 2009 10:01 am
- Location: Jacksonville, FLZone 9A
When I was a child, way last century, after I'd wash the floors with ammonia water it was tossed on the back lawn. Never concentrated in any one area, but a broadcast splash as my country raised mama taught me. Never saw any particular improvement or damage, although I'd be inclined to believe some biota did not survive the assault. 
Later years in a dirty city, I'd toss the water on the front steps or on the sidewalk, with more noticeable positive effect.
I use more benign cleaners these days, but am still more likely to toss on the patio or pavers than dump down my plumbing.
Who's that gardener with the many forumulae for household products to feed or treat plants? Jerry Baker maybe. Have at least one book of his somewhere. I know he uses stuff like ammonia, beer, baby shampoo, epsom salts, and probably a touch of worcestershire sauce for all I know in various formulations. Some parts of some of his concoctions are stuff that I will do on occasion. Don't think I've ever used ammonia as a principal ingredient though.
Later years in a dirty city, I'd toss the water on the front steps or on the sidewalk, with more noticeable positive effect. I use more benign cleaners these days, but am still more likely to toss on the patio or pavers than dump down my plumbing.
Who's that gardener with the many forumulae for household products to feed or treat plants? Jerry Baker maybe. Have at least one book of his somewhere. I know he uses stuff like ammonia, beer, baby shampoo, epsom salts, and probably a touch of worcestershire sauce for all I know in various formulations. Some parts of some of his concoctions are stuff that I will do on occasion. Don't think I've ever used ammonia as a principal ingredient though.
-
DoubleDogFarm
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 6113
- Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 11:43 pm
Who's that gardener with the many formula for household products to feed or treat plants? Jerry Baker maybe. Have at least one book of his somewhere. I know he uses stuff like ammonia, beer, baby shampoo, Epsom salts, and probably a touch of Worcestershire sauce for all I know in various formulations. Some parts of some of his concoctions are stuff that I will do on occasion. Don't think I've ever used ammonia as a principal ingredient though.
Frank, Just pee on them. Dilute 8:1
Eric
-
Runningtrails
- Senior Member
- Posts: 184
- Joined: Tue Oct 19, 2010 10:52 am
- Location: Barrie, Ontario,Canada
LOL! We do the pee thing! Pee in a coffee can outside, fill with water from the hose and pour on the high nitrogen feeders, like corn. It's a good source of nitrogen, but the salts can build up in the soil if done a lot, continuously, so spread it around. 
I do hope this is not a subject too sensitive for some squemish people. If so, please excuse me for bringin it up, usually gardeners are Earthy enough to handle it.
I use store bought ammonia soaked rags to deter groundhogs. I toss them in the holes. It seems to work, so far. Never thought about using it for fertilizer...
I do hope this is not a subject too sensitive for some squemish people. If so, please excuse me for bringin it up, usually gardeners are Earthy enough to handle it.
I use store bought ammonia soaked rags to deter groundhogs. I toss them in the holes. It seems to work, so far. Never thought about using it for fertilizer...
-
rainbowgardener
- Super Green Thumb
- Posts: 25279
- Joined: Sun Feb 15, 2009 6:04 pm
- Location: TN/GA 7b
hmm... interesting about the groundhog. I don't think I'm willing to put it down her hole, since my hillside is certified backyard wildlife habitat and all, but perhaps some ammonia soaked rags around my broccoli would keep her away from them without doing much harm in my garden? I'd just be laying the rags on top of mulch, so it shouldn't harm soil micro-organisms or change the soil pH. Anyone see any harm that would be done? I'm about to harvest the little bit of broccoli that escaped her, but if I do the broccoli again for fall, maybe I will try....