{"product_id":"organic-liquid-fertiliser-5-2-5","title":"Organic Liquid Fertiliser 5-2-5 | Balanced Growth Feed","description":"\u003c!-- Dr Forest — Organic Liquid Fertiliser 5-2-5 Growth Feed --\u003e\n\u003c!-- Prefix: drf-lv- | Design System v1.0 | 4-tab --\u003e\n\u003c!-- Pure CSS radio tabs. No JavaScript. Shopify-safe. --\u003e\n\u003c!-- REVISED: references corrected, provenance removed (liquid), slaughterhouse wording removed, em-dashes stripped, schema moved out. --\u003e\n\u003cstyle\u003e\n  .drf-wrap *, .drf-wrap *::before, .drf-wrap *::after { box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0; padding: 0; }\n  .drf-wrap { font-family: 'Jost', sans-serif; font-weight: 400; color: #3A4A40; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.65; width: 100%; max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; }\n  :root {\n    --drf-grn:        #1B3D2F;\n    --drf-grn-light:  #E8F0EB;\n    --drf-grn-mid:    #4a7a5e;\n    --drf-grn-dark:   #0F2A1F;\n    --drf-gold:       #C5A55A;\n    --drf-gold-light: #FAF7F0;\n    --drf-cream:      #F5F2EC;\n    --drf-border:     #d4cfc5;\n    --drf-muted:      #3A4A40;\n    --drf-white:      #FFFFFF;\n  }\n  .drf-wrap h2 { font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif; font-weight: 400; font-size: 1.9em; color: var(--drf-grn); line-height: 1.25; margin-bottom: 0.5em; letter-spacing: -0.3px; }\n  .drf-wrap h3 { font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif; font-weight: 400; font-size: 1.35em; color: var(--drf-grn); margin: 1.4em 0 0.4em; }\n  .drf-wrap h4 { font-family: 'Jost', sans-serif; font-weight: 500; font-size: 0.85em; letter-spacing: 0.2em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--drf-muted); margin: 1.2em 0 0.3em; }\n  .drf-wrap p { margin-bottom: 0.9em; }\n  .drf-wrap ul { padding-left: 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.9em; }\n  .drf-wrap ul li { margin-bottom: 0.35em; }\n  .drf-wrap strong { font-weight: 500; color: var(--drf-grn); }\n  .drf-wrap em { font-style: italic; color: var(--drf-muted); }\n  .drf-wrap a { color: var(--drf-grn); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--drf-gold); text-decoration: none; }\n\n  \/* BADGES *\/\n  .drf-badge-row { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: 7px; margin: 0 0 12px; }\n  .drf-badge { padding: 9px 12px; font-size: 11px; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 0.08em; text-transform: uppercase; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; text-align: center; min-height: 36px; line-height: 1.3; }\n  .drf-badge-green { background: #eaf4ea; color: #2d6a2d; border: 1px solid #c0d8b0; }\n  .drf-badge-gold  { background: #fdf6e3; color: #8b6914; border: 1px solid #e0cc80; }\n  .drf-badge-dark  { background: var(--drf-grn-dark); color: #d4e4c8; border: 1px solid #2d6a2d; }\n\n  \/* STAT CARDS *\/\n  .drf-stats { display: grid; grid-template-columns: repeat(2, 1fr); gap: 1px; background: var(--drf-border); border: 1px solid var(--drf-border); border-top: 2px solid var(--drf-gold); margin: 1.2em 0; max-width: 100%; }\n  .drf-stat { background: var(--drf-white); padding: 0.7em 0.5em; text-align: center; }\n  .drf-stat-number { font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif; font-size: 1.45em; font-weight: 400; color: var(--drf-grn); line-height: 1.1; display: block; }\n  .drf-stat-label { font-size: 0.6em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 0.14em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--drf-gold); display: block; margin-top: 0.25em; }\n\n  \/* TABS *\/\n  .drf-tabs-wrap { max-width: 100%; overflow: hidden; }\n  .drf-tabs-wrap input[type=\"radio\"] { display: none; }\n  .drf-tab-labels { display: flex; align-items: stretch; border-bottom: 2px solid var(--drf-border); margin-bottom: 1.2em; }\n  .drf-tab-labels label { flex: 1 1 0; padding: 0.75em 0.4em; font-size: 0.82em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 0.04em; text-transform: uppercase; color: #8b6914; background: var(--drf-gold-light); cursor: pointer; text-align: center; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; border-bottom: 3px solid var(--drf-gold); margin-bottom: -2px; transition: all 0.15s; }\n  .drf-tab-labels label:hover { color: var(--drf-grn); background: var(--drf-grn-light); border-bottom-color: var(--drf-grn); }\n  .drf-panel { display: none; }\n  #drf-lv-tab1:checked ~ .drf-tab-labels label[for=\"drf-lv-tab1\"],\n  #drf-lv-tab2:checked ~ .drf-tab-labels label[for=\"drf-lv-tab2\"],\n  #drf-lv-tab3:checked ~ .drf-tab-labels label[for=\"drf-lv-tab3\"],\n  #drf-lv-tab4:checked ~ .drf-tab-labels label[for=\"drf-lv-tab4\"] { color: var(--drf-grn); background: var(--drf-grn-light); border-bottom-color: var(--drf-grn); font-weight: 600; }\n  #drf-lv-tab1:checked ~ .drf-panels #drf-lv-panel1,\n  #drf-lv-tab2:checked ~ .drf-panels #drf-lv-panel2,\n  #drf-lv-tab3:checked ~ .drf-panels #drf-lv-panel3,\n  #drf-lv-tab4:checked ~ .drf-panels #drf-lv-panel4 { display: block; }\n\n  \/* CALLOUTS *\/\n  .drf-callout { background: var(--drf-grn-light); border-left: 3px solid var(--drf-grn); padding: 1em 1.2em; margin: 1.2em 0; }\n  .drf-callout-gold { background: var(--drf-gold-light); border-left-color: var(--drf-gold); }\n  .drf-callout p:last-child { margin-bottom: 0; }\n  .drf-callout-title { font-size: 0.72em; font-weight: 500; letter-spacing: 0.18em; text-transform: uppercase; color: var(--drf-grn); margin-bottom: 0.4em; display: block; }\n  .drf-callout-gold .drf-callout-title { color: var(--drf-gold); }\n  .drf-callout-dark { background: var(--drf-grn-dark); border-left-color: var(--drf-gold); color: var(--drf-cream); }\n  .drf-callout-dark p { color: var(--drf-cream); }\n  .drf-callout-dark strong { color: var(--drf-gold); }\n  .drf-callout-dark .drf-callout-title { color: var(--drf-gold); }\n\n  \/* PULL QUOTE *\/\n  .drf-pullquote { font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif; font-style: italic; font-size: 1.3em; color: var(--drf-grn); text-align: center; line-height: 1.4; padding: 1.1em 1em; margin: 1.6em 0; border-top: 1px solid var(--drf-gold); border-bottom: 1px solid var(--drf-gold); }\n\n  \/* MECHANISM CARDS *\/\n  .drf-mech { border: 1px solid var(--drf-border); border-left: 3px solid var(--drf-gold); padding: 1em 1.2em; margin: 0.8em 0; background: var(--drf-grn-light); }\n  .drf-mech-num { font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif; font-size: 2em; font-weight: 400; color: var(--drf-gold); line-height: 1; }\n  .drf-mech h4 { margin-top: 0.2em; color: var(--drf-grn); text-transform: none; letter-spacing: 0; font-size: 1em; font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif; font-weight: 400; }\n  .drf-mech p { font-size: 0.92em; margin-bottom: 0; }\n\n  \/* RATE CARDS *\/\n  .drf-rate { border: 1px solid var(--drf-border); padding: 1em 1.2em; margin: 0.8em 0; background: var(--drf-grn-light); }\n  .drf-rate h4 { margin-top: 0; color: var(--drf-grn); text-transform: none; letter-spacing: 0; font-size: 1.05em; font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif; font-weight: 400; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--drf-gold); padding-bottom: 0.5em; margin-bottom: 0.6em; }\n  .drf-rate-meta { font-size: 0.85em; margin-bottom: 0.5em; }\n  .drf-rate-meta strong { color: var(--drf-gold); }\n  .drf-rate p { font-size: 0.92em; margin-bottom: 0; }\n\n  \/* STEPS *\/\n  .drf-steps { counter-reset: drf-step; list-style: none; padding: 0; }\n  .drf-steps li { counter-increment: drf-step; padding: 0.8em 0 0.8em 3em; position: relative; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--drf-border); }\n  .drf-steps li::before { content: counter(drf-step); position: absolute; left: 0; top: 0.8em; width: 2em; height: 2em; background: var(--drf-grn); color: #fff; font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif; font-weight: 400; font-size: 0.9em; display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; }\n  .drf-steps li:last-child { border-bottom: none; }\n\n  \/* USE CASES *\/\n  .drf-uses { list-style: none; padding: 0; }\n  .drf-uses li { padding: 0.6em 0; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--drf-gold); }\n  .drf-uses li:nth-child(even) { border-bottom-color: var(--drf-grn); }\n  .drf-uses li:last-child { border-bottom: none; }\n  .drf-uses li strong { color: var(--drf-grn); }\n\n  \/* COMPARISON *\/\n  .drf-compare { margin: 1.2em 0; }\n  .drf-compare-box { border: 1px solid var(--drf-border); padding: 1em 1.2em; margin-bottom: 0.8em; background: var(--drf-grn-light); }\n  .drf-compare-box h4 { margin-top: 0; color: var(--drf-grn); text-transform: none; letter-spacing: 0; font-size: 1.05em; font-family: 'Cormorant Garamond', serif; font-weight: 400; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--drf-gold); padding-bottom: 0.4em; margin-bottom: 0.6em; }\n\n  \/* TABLES *\/\n  .drf-wrap table { width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; margin: 1.2em 0; font-size: 0.92em; }\n  .drf-wrap table th { background: var(--drf-grn); color: #fff; font-weight: 500; text-align: left; padding: 0.6em 0.8em; font-size: 0.85em; letter-spacing: 0.04em; }\n  .drf-wrap table td { padding: 0.55em 0.8em; border-bottom: 1px solid var(--drf-border); }\n  .drf-wrap table tr:nth-child(even) td { background: var(--drf-grn-light); }\n\n  \/* FAQ *\/\n  .drf-faq { border-bottom: 1px solid var(--drf-border); }\n  .drf-faq:last-child { border-bottom: none; }\n  .drf-faq input[type=\"checkbox\"] { display: none; }\n  .drf-faq-q { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; padding: 0.8em 0; cursor: pointer; font-weight: 500; color: var(--drf-grn); font-size: 0.95em; }\n  .drf-faq-q::after { content: '+'; font-size: 1.2em; font-weight: 300; color: var(--drf-gold); width: 1.6em; height: 1.6em; border: 1px solid var(--drf-gold); background: var(--drf-grn-light); display: flex; align-items: center; justify-content: center; flex-shrink: 0; margin-left: 0.6em; }\n  .drf-faq-a { max-height: 0; overflow: hidden; transition: max-height 0.3s ease; font-size: 0.92em; line-height: 1.7; }\n  .drf-faq-a \u003e div { padding: 0 0 1em; }\n  .drf-faq input:checked ~ .drf-faq-q::after { content: '\\2212'; background: var(--drf-grn); color: #fff; border-color: var(--drf-grn); }\n  .drf-faq input:checked ~ .drf-faq-a { max-height: 900px; }\n\n  \/* REFS + RULE *\/\n  .drf-refs { font-size: 0.78em; color: var(--drf-muted); line-height: 1.5; margin-top: 1.5em; padding-top: 0.8em; border-top: 1px solid var(--drf-border); }\n  .drf-refs ol { padding-left: 1.4em; margin: 0; }\n  .drf-refs li { margin-bottom: 0.3em; }\n  .drf-sep { border: none; border-top: 1px solid var(--drf-gold); width: 200px; margin: 1.8em auto; }\n\u003c\/style\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-wrap\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-tabs-wrap\"\u003e\n\u003cinput checked id=\"drf-lv-tab1\" name=\"drf-lv-tabset\" type=\"radio\"\u003e \u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-tab2\" name=\"drf-lv-tabset\" type=\"radio\"\u003e \u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-tab3\" name=\"drf-lv-tabset\" type=\"radio\"\u003e \u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-tab4\" name=\"drf-lv-tabset\" type=\"radio\"\u003e \n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-tab-labels\"\u003e\n\u003clabel for=\"drf-lv-tab1\"\u003eOverview\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003clabel for=\"drf-lv-tab2\"\u003eThe Science\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003clabel for=\"drf-lv-tab3\"\u003eHow to Use\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003clabel for=\"drf-lv-tab4\"\u003eFAQ\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-panels\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"drf-lv-panel1\" class=\"drf-panel\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOrganic liquid fertiliser 5-2-5, a balanced growth feed with magnesium\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-badge-row\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-badge drf-badge-green\"\u003eNPK 5-2-5\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"drf-badge drf-badge-green\"\u003ePlus magnesium\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"drf-badge drf-badge-green\"\u003eTrace elements\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"drf-badge drf-badge-green\"\u003eClear solution\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"drf-badge drf-badge-gold\"\u003ePlant-derived\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cspan class=\"drf-badge drf-badge-gold\"\u003eFoliar or root\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiquid fertiliser 5-2-5 is a balanced natural plant food for the main vegetative stretch of the season\u003c\/strong\u003e, the period when a plant is building leaf, stem and root before it turns its attention to flowering. Nitrogen and potassium are matched at 5% each with phosphorus held at 1.8%, and the formulation carries magnesium and trace elements so that a season of feeding does not quietly create a secondary deficiency.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEverything in it is plant-derived, including the magnesium and the full trace element set. That is unusual. Most liquid feeds reach for mineral salts or synthetic chelates for the micronutrients even when the macronutrients come from plant material, and we did not want to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe nutrients are in true solution rather than suspension, so there is nothing to settle, nothing to shake and nothing to block a nozzle. It works equally well through a watering can, a drip line or a sprayer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the middle feed in a three-stage programme. A rooting feed goes in at establishment and a high-potash feed takes over at fruiting. The 5-2-5 covers the long stretch in between, which for most British gardeners means May through to mid-July.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-stats\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-stat\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-stat-number\"\u003e5%\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"drf-stat-label\"\u003eNitrogen (N)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-stat\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-stat-number\"\u003e1.8%\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"drf-stat-label\"\u003ePhosphorus (as P₂O₅)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-stat\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-stat-number\"\u003e5%\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"drf-stat-label\"\u003ePotassium (as K₂O)\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-stat\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-stat-number\"\u003e3.5 – 4.5\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan class=\"drf-stat-label\"\u003epH of concentrate\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat to use a 5-2-5 growth feed for\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul class=\"drf-uses\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVegetative growth on tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and courgettes\u003c\/strong\u003e the stretch between planting out and first flower, when the plant is building the frame that will carry the crop. Feed here and the plant has something to fruit on later\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLeafy vegetables and cutting salads\u003c\/strong\u003e chard, spinach, kale, lettuce and oriental greens want steady nitrogen with enough potassium to keep tissue firm rather than sappy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBrassicas, leeks and sweetcorn through the main season\u003c\/strong\u003e long-season heavy feeders that need consistent supply rather than occasional large doses\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContainer displays and hanging baskets in build-up\u003c\/strong\u003e the establishment weeks before flowering starts in earnest, when the plant needs bulk before it needs bloom\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYoung shrubs, hedging and newly planted perennials\u003c\/strong\u003e first and second season after planting, through spring and early summer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeekly maintenance feeding across a mixed plot\u003c\/strong\u003e the one vegetable fertiliser that suits most things at once, which matters when you are watering forty pots and do not want four different bottles\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePreventing magnesium shortfall under heavy feeding\u003c\/strong\u003e potassium competes with magnesium at the root, so including magnesium in the feed itself heads off the interveinal yellowing that heavy potash programmes provoke\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere 5-2-5 sits against the alternatives\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-compare\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-compare-box\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eLiquid 5-2-5 growth feed\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBalanced N and K for the vegetative stage, phosphorus held low and steady\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMagnesium and trace elements included, so no secondary deficiency creeps in\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrue solution, so no settling, no shaking, clean through drip and sprayer\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlant-derived throughout, macronutrients and micronutrients alike\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWorks as a root drench or a foliar spray at the same dilution range\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-compare-box\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eGeneral-purpose synthetic liquid feed\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCheap and immediately available\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUsually no magnesium and few or no trace elements\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNo organic matter, no carbon contribution to soil biology\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSalt load builds in containers over a season of feeding\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-compare-box\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eDry organic fertiliser\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSteady release over weeks, and builds soil over years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSlow to respond when a plant needs feeding now\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHarder to apply evenly to established containers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe right base for the season, and this feed layers on top of it\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-callout drf-callout-gold\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-callout-title\"\u003eHow this fits a stage-feeding programme\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse a rooting or phosphorus feed at establishment, 5-2-5 through the main vegetative period, then switch to \u003ca href=\"\/products\/organic-liquid-fertiliser-3-2-6\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eliquid 3-2-6\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e as flowering and fruiting begin. The three cover a full season without ever feeding a plant the wrong thing for the stage it is at.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMade with organic ingredients, in small batches. \u003cem\u003eMade by Growers. Backed by Science.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"drf-lv-panel2\" class=\"drf-panel\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe science behind a 5-2-5 ratio\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNPK ratios are marketing shorthand for something real: the relative demand a plant has for each nutrient at a given growth stage. During vegetative growth a plant is laying down protein and enzyme machinery, which takes nitrogen, and running the water and sugar transport to support it, which takes potassium. Phosphorus demand is real but far smaller by mass, because phosphorus goes into membranes and nucleic acids rather than bulk tissue (Marschner, 2012).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"drf-pullquote\"\u003eA ratio is not a recipe for a plant. It is a statement about which stage the plant is in.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat each element is doing at this stage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-mech\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-mech-num\"\u003e01\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eNitrogen, building the machinery\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery protein and every chlorophyll molecule contains nitrogen. At 5% it is the dominant element by demand during vegetative growth, but held low enough that tissue stays firm rather than soft and aphid-prone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-mech\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-mech-num\"\u003e02\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePotassium, running the machinery\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMatched to nitrogen at 5%. Potassium regulates stomatal opening, activates more than sixty enzymes and drives sugar transport out of the leaf. Feeding nitrogen without matching potassium produces bulk without structure (Zörb et al., 2014).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-mech\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-mech-num\"\u003e03\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003ePhosphorus, held deliberately low\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 1.8%, enough for continuing root development and membrane synthesis without the surplus that suppresses mycorrhizal association. Heavy phosphate feeding reduces the fungal partnerships plants rely on for phosphorus foraging (Smith and Read, 2008).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-mech\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-mech-num\"\u003e04\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMagnesium, the chlorophyll atom\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEvery chlorophyll molecule has a magnesium ion at its centre. Magnesium is also the nutrient most often displaced by heavy potassium feeding, because the two compete for the same uptake sites.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-mech\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-mech-num\"\u003e05\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eTrace elements, the small things that stop everything\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper and molybdenum are needed in milligram quantities and bring growth to a halt when absent. Here they are drawn from plant material rather than mineral salts, and including them in the feed avoids the slow drift into deficiency that long container runs produce.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003chr class=\"drf-sep\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCation competition, and why the ratio matters\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePotassium, calcium and magnesium are all cations taken up through overlapping pathways. Push one hard and you suppress the others. This is real and well documented, but it does not support the older Base Cation Saturation Ratio theory, which held that soils should be balanced to fixed cation percentages. That framework has not survived testing. Sufficiency of each nutrient matters far more than the ratio between them (Kopittke and Menzies, 2007).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe practical version is simpler. Do not feed one cation hard without covering the others. Which is why magnesium is in this formulation rather than sold separately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSolution rather than suspension\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNutrients here are dissolved, not suspended. That has three consequences. Uptake is immediate, because roots and leaf cuticles absorb ions rather than particles. Nothing settles out in the bottle. And the same product can be used as a foliar spray, because foliar uptake happens through cuticular pores measured in nanometres, far too small for suspended mineral particles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eOrganic and mineral feeding read honestly\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross 537 experiments in grasslands and croplands, organic fertilisation raised aboveground biomass by 56% against 42% for mineral fertilisation, and only the mineral treatments reduced plant diversity (Shi et al., 2024). A separate synthesis of 7,859 paired observations from 551 field experiments found fertiliser lifted crop yield by 30.9% and nutritional quality by 11.9%, with potassium, magnesium and micronutrients doing much of the quality work, and combined organic plus mineral inputs performing best of all (Ishfaq et al., 2023). Vegetables were the most responsive crop group in that dataset.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat last finding is the argument for this feed rather than a straight NPK. Potassium and magnesium together, with the micronutrients present rather than assumed. None of it makes a liquid feed a complete system on its own. It makes it a good partner to a dry organic base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-refs\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eReferences\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarschner, P. (ed.) (2012). \u003cem\u003eMarschner's Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants\u003c\/em\u003e, 3rd edition. Academic Press.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eZörb, C., Senbayram, M. and Peiter, E. (2014). Potassium in agriculture, status and perspectives. \u003cem\u003eJournal of Plant Physiology\u003c\/em\u003e, 171(9), 656–669.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSmith, S.E. and Read, D.J. (2008). \u003cem\u003eMycorrhizal Symbiosis\u003c\/em\u003e, 3rd edition. Academic Press.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKopittke, P.M. and Menzies, N.W. (2007). A review of the use of the basic cation saturation ratio and the \"ideal\" soil. \u003cem\u003eSoil Science Society of America Journal\u003c\/em\u003e, 71(2), 259–265.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eShi, T-S., Collins, S.L., Yu, K., Peñuelas, J., Sardans, J., Li, H. and Ye, J-S. (2024). A global meta-analysis on the effects of organic and inorganic fertilization on grasslands and croplands. \u003cem\u003eNature Communications\u003c\/em\u003e, 15, 3411.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIshfaq, M., Wang, Y., Xu, J., Hassan, M.U., Yuan, H., Liu, L. et al. (2023). Improvement of nutritional quality of food crops with fertilizer: a global meta-analysis. \u003cem\u003eAgronomy for Sustainable Development\u003c\/em\u003e, 43(6), 74.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"drf-lv-panel3\" class=\"drf-panel\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to use liquid 5-2-5 growth feed\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-callout drf-callout-gold\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-callout-title\"\u003eBefore you start\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasure with a syringe or a small measuring cup rather than pouring by eye. The concentrate is acidic at pH 3.5 to 4.5, which keeps the nutrients soluble. Always dilute into water and never apply neat. Keep the cap tight between uses to stop moisture loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eApplication rates\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-rate\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRoot drench, standard feeding\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"drf-rate-meta\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRate\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 – 6 ml per litre of water  |  \u003cstrong\u003eFrequency\u003c\/strong\u003e every watering\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDelivers roughly 150 to 300 mg\/l each of nitrogen and K₂O, which is standard horticultural feeding strength. Use the lower end for young plants and general border work, the upper end for established heavy feeders in full growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-rate\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRoot drench, open ground and plot feeding\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"drf-rate-meta\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRate\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 – 6 ml per litre of water  |  \u003cstrong\u003eFrequency\u003c\/strong\u003e weekly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSame dilution, applied once a week rather than at every watering. Suits allotment beds, brassicas, leeks and anything growing in soil rather than compost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-rate\"\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eFoliar spray\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"drf-rate-meta\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRate\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 – 5 ml per litre of water  |  \u003cstrong\u003eFrequency\u003c\/strong\u003e 3 – 4 applications per season\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSpray to run-off in early morning or evening, never in strong sun. Useful when cold or waterlogged soil is limiting root uptake, or to correct a visible deficiency more quickly than a root feed manages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eMixing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col class=\"drf-steps\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHalf-fill the watering can or sprayer with water first.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMeasure the dose with a syringe and add it to the water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTop up to full volume and stir or agitate briefly.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eApply the same day, because diluted feed is not worth storing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRinse equipment through with clean water afterwards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhere it sits in the season\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eStage\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eFeed\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eRoughly when\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eEstablishment and rooting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid phosphorus feed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTransplanting, first 5 to 6 weeks\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eVegetative growth\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eThis feed, liquid 5-2-5\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMay to mid-July for most crops\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlowering and fruiting\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLiquid 3-2-6 high-potash feed\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFrom first flower or fruit set\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eDeficiency correction\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSingle-nutrient liquid feeds\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAs and when symptoms show\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-callout\"\u003e\n\u003cspan class=\"drf-callout-title\"\u003eFeeding through a dry spell\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNever feed a plant that is already wilting and dry. Water it plain first, let it recover for a few hours, then feed. Concentrated nutrient solution applied to a dry root ball draws water out of the roots rather than into them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eStorage\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCap tight to prevent moisture loss. Store dark and dry between 10 and 25 °C. Shelf life 18 months to 2 years. Do not let it freeze.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat to pair it with\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePair this with the rest of the Dr Forest liquid range. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/liquid-seaweed-biostimulant\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiquid Seaweed Biostimulant\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e covers alginates and natural growth promoters that a straight nutrient feed does not. \u003ca href=\"\/products\/liquid-gypsum\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLiquid Gypsum\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e supplies calcium and sulphur, the two things most liquid feeds leave out. For a full-season plan, see the \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/instructions\"\u003eDr Forest feeding programme\u003c\/a\u003e. If you are chasing down yellowing leaves rather than feeding to schedule, start with \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/news\/why-are-my-tomato-leaves-turning-yellow\"\u003ewhy tomato leaves turn yellow\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"drf-lv-panel4\" class=\"drf-panel\"\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eLiquid 5-2-5 fertiliser, common questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq1\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq1\"\u003eWhat is a 5-2-5 fertiliser and what is it for?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eIt is a balanced liquid feed with 5% nitrogen, 1.8% phosphorus as P₂O₅ and 5% potassium as K₂O, plus magnesium and trace elements. It is a growth-stage feed, used through the vegetative period when a plant is building leaf, stem and root, before flowering takes over.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq2\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq2\"\u003eWhy is the P shown as 2 when the analysis says 1.8%?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eNPK figures on labels are conventionally rounded. The precise analysis is 1.8% P₂O₅, and we have printed that in the composition rather than only the rounded shorthand.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq3\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq3\"\u003eWhen should I switch to the 3-2-6 feed?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eAs flowering begins, or at first fruit set on fruiting crops. At that point nitrogen demand falls and potassium demand climbs sharply. Staying on a nitrogen-heavy feed too long pushes leaf at the expense of fruit and delays ripening.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq4\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq4\"\u003eCan I use it on everything?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eIt suits most things through the growing season: vegetables, salads, young shrubs, perennials, container displays in build-up. The exceptions are plants adapted to very low fertility, and anything already at the fruiting stage, which wants the higher-potash feed instead.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq5\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq5\"\u003eDoes it contain magnesium and trace elements?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eYes. Magnesium sits at the centre of every chlorophyll molecule and is the nutrient most often displaced by heavy potassium feeding. The trace elements are iron, manganese, zinc, boron, copper and molybdenum, included to prevent the slow drift into deficiency that long container runs produce.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq6\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq6\"\u003eAre the trace elements plant-derived too?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eYes. The magnesium and the full micronutrient set are drawn from plant material rather than mineral salts or synthetic chelates. Most plant-based liquid feeds only manage it for the macronutrients and reach for mineral salts to fill in the micros.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq7\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq7\"\u003eCan I use it as a foliar spray?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eYes, at 3 to 5 ml per litre, three to four times a season. The nutrients are in true solution rather than suspension, so they pass through the leaf cuticle. Spray early morning or evening, never in strong sun.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq8\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq8\"\u003eWill it block a drip line or sprayer?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eNo. It is a clear solution with nothing suspended in it, so there is no sediment to settle out and nothing to clog a nozzle.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq9\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq9\"\u003eHow often should I feed?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eIn containers and grow bags, every watering at 3 to 6 ml per litre. In open ground, weekly at the same dilution. Little and often beats occasional heavy doses, particularly in pots where nutrients flush through quickly.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq10\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq10\"\u003eCan I mix it with other Dr Forest liquids?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eIt combines well with seaweed and with the single-nutrient liquid feeds. Do not combine any phosphorus-containing feed with a calcium product in the same can, because the two precipitate on contact.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq11\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq11\"\u003eIs it safe to use around children, pets and wildlife?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eThe concentrate is acidic, so keep it capped, store it out of reach and wash your hands after handling. Once diluted and watered in, treated ground is fine for children, pets and wildlife to be around. There is no pesticide in it.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq\"\u003e\n\u003cinput id=\"drf-lv-faq12\" type=\"checkbox\"\u003e\u003clabel class=\"drf-faq-q\" for=\"drf-lv-faq12\"\u003eIs this an organic fertiliser?\u003c\/label\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"drf-faq-a\"\u003e\u003cdiv\u003eIt is made with organic ingredients and is plant-derived throughout. Dr Forest does not hold organic certification, so we say made with organic ingredients rather than certified organic.\u003c\/div\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ --\u003e\n\u003c!-- SCHEMA REMOVED FROM THIS FILE.                                      --\u003e\n\u003c!-- Shopify strips \u003cscript\u003e tags from product descriptions, so the      --\u003e\n\u003c!-- old embedded JSON-LD was almost certainly doing nothing.            --\u003e\n\u003c!-- The corrected FAQPage + HowTo JSON-LD is in the companion file      --\u003e\n\u003c!-- liquid-5-2-5-schema.json and must be inserted via the theme         --\u003e\n\u003c!-- (product template) or a metafield, not pasted here.                 --\u003e\n\u003c!-- ═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════ --\u003e","brand":"Dr Forest","offers":[{"title":"500ml","offer_id":58307100410230,"sku":null,"price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"1 litre","offer_id":58307100442998,"sku":null,"price":21.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"url":"https:\/\/www.drforest.co.uk\/products\/organic-liquid-fertiliser-5-2-5","provider":"Dr Forest","version":"1.0","type":"link"}