Dr Forest
Organic Liquid Seedling Fertiliser UK | Root Stimulator
Organic Liquid Seedling Fertiliser UK | Root Stimulator
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Liquid seed & seedling fertiliser — calcium, micronutrients & biostimulants for early vigour
The first 48 hours after germination define the trajectory of the entire crop. A seed that emerges fast, roots deep, and establishes without stress produces a fundamentally stronger plant than one that stumbles through the early stages. This liquid formulation is designed specifically for that critical window — delivering calcium for cell wall construction, micronutrients for enzyme activation, and humic and fulvic acids as biostimulants directly to the seed and emerging root.
Use it as a seed soak before sowing, a seedling dip at transplanting, or a root drench immediately after planting. The calcium-rich formula (4.13% Ca) provides the structural mineral most needed during the rapid cell division of germination and early root growth, while iron, zinc, manganese, and molybdenum ensure the enzymatic machinery is running from the start — not playing catch-up weeks later.
Guaranteed analysis
| Nutrient | Content |
|---|---|
| Calcium (Ca) | 4.13% |
| Sulphur (S) | 1.24% |
| Potassium (K) — organic | 2,667 mg/L |
| Magnesium (Mg) | 734 mg/L |
| Iron (Fe) | 160 mg/L |
| Zinc (Zn) | 71 mg/L |
| Manganese (Mn) | 64 mg/L |
| Molybdenum (Mo) | 8 mg/L |
SG: 1.1 | pH: 8–9 | Appearance: thick brown liquid
What this seed fertiliser is used for
- Seed soaking before sowing — delivers calcium, micronutrients, and biostimulants directly to the seed coat, accelerating germination and producing seedlings with stronger root systems from day one
- Seedling dip at transplanting — coating roots with a nutrient-rich biostimulant solution reduces transplant shock and promotes rapid re-establishment in the new growing medium
- Root drench after planting — applied to the root zone immediately after sowing or transplanting, it feeds the emerging root system with calcium for cell wall construction and micronutrients for enzyme activation
- Improving germination rates — humic and fulvic acids increase cell membrane permeability, accelerating water and nutrient imbibition by the seed; documented to improve both speed and uniformity of emergence
- Early root mass development — calcium is the primary structural mineral in new cell walls; adequate supply during the rapid cell division of germination produces more extensive root systems earlier
- Seedling stress resistance — micronutrients and biostimulants prime the plant's enzymatic defence systems from the earliest growth stages, improving resilience to cold, drought, and damping-off
Why a dedicated seed fertiliser matters
Dedicated Seed & Seedling Formula — this product
- Calcium-rich (4.13%) — the mineral most needed during rapid cell division
- Full micronutrient suite including molybdenum for nitrogen metabolism
- Humic and fulvic acids improve seed imbibition and root cell permeability
- Designed for the specific nutrient demands of germination and establishment
- Safe for direct seed contact at recommended dilution
- Three application methods: seed soak, seedling dip, root drench
General-Purpose Liquid Fertiliser
- Nitrogen-led — promotes leafy growth, not root establishment
- Often too concentrated for direct seed contact — risk of burn
- No biostimulant component for germination enhancement
- Micronutrients absent or present only at background levels
- Designed for established plants, not the germination window
Every Dr Forest product is made by hand in small batches at our workshop in Stockport, Greater Manchester. We source ingredients for quality, not cost. Supplied in recycled plastic bottles.
The science of seed nutrition: why the first 48 hours matter most
The germination bottleneck
A germinating seed is building an entire plant from scratch — cell walls, root tips, chloroplasts, enzymes — using only the nutrient reserves stored in its endosperm and whatever it can scavenge from the immediate soil environment. If the surrounding soil is deficient in calcium, zinc, manganese, or molybdenum, the seedling's enzymatic machinery stalls before it even reaches the surface. The mineral requirements at germination are tiny in absolute terms, but the consequences of deficiency at this stage are disproportionately large.
Calcium — Cell Wall Construction
Every new cell requires calcium to build its wall. Calcium cross-links pectin chains in the middle lamella — the structural cement between cells. During the explosive cell division of germination, calcium demand per unit of tissue is at its highest. Seeds germinating in calcium-poor conditions produce weaker cell walls, thinner root tips, and seedlings more susceptible to damping-off and mechanical damage. Providing calcium directly at the seed via soaking or drenching ensures it is available precisely where and when it is needed.
Manganese — The Seed Energiser
Manganese is critical for the activation of enzymes involved in the mobilisation of seed storage reserves. It is required for the splitting of water molecules in photosystem II — the very first step of photosynthesis once the cotyledons green up. Manganese-deficient seedlings are slow to emerge, slow to green, and slow to begin photosynthesising independently. A seed treatment with manganese has been shown to improve both germination speed and early seedling vigour in numerous published trials.
Zinc — Auxin Production & Leaf Size
Zinc is required for the production of auxins — the plant hormones that govern root tip elongation and leaf expansion. A zinc-deficient seedling produces smaller leaves (smaller solar panels) and shorter roots (a smaller scavenging network). Because zinc is immobile in most soils — locked up by pH, phosphorus, and clay — providing it directly at the seed bypasses soil availability problems entirely and gives the seedling a head start on building the root and leaf surface area it needs.
Molybdenum — Nitrogen Metabolism From Day One
Molybdenum is the co-factor for nitrate reductase — the enzyme that converts absorbed nitrate into ammonium for protein synthesis. Without Mo, the seedling cannot metabolise nitrogen, regardless of how much nitrogen is available in the soil. Molybdenum requirements are tiny (8 mg/L in this formula) but the consequences of deficiency are severe: stunted growth, pale foliage, and poor root development that masquerades as nitrogen deficiency.
Humic & Fulvic Acids — Biostimulant Effect
Humic and fulvic acids increase cell membrane permeability, accelerating the imbibition of water and dissolved nutrients by the seed coat. Published research demonstrates that humic substances applied as seed treatments improve germination rate, speed of emergence, and root length in the first 7–14 days. Fulvic acid also acts as a natural chelator, keeping iron, zinc, and manganese in plant-available form in the zone immediately surrounding the seed — the few millimetres of soil that matter most during germination.
Iron — Chlorophyll & Enzyme Systems
Iron is required for chlorophyll synthesis and is a component of cytochromes, ferredoxin, and other electron carriers in the photosynthetic and respiratory chains. Once the cotyledons emerge and begin greening, iron demand rises sharply. Seedlings in iron-poor conditions develop interveinal chlorosis within days of emergence — a deficit that compounds as the plant falls behind its photosynthetic potential from the outset.
Scientific References
- Marschner, P. (2012). Marschner's Mineral Nutrition of Higher Plants. 3rd ed. Academic Press.
- Nardi, S. et al. (2009). Physiological effects of humic substances on higher plants. Soil Biol. Biochem., 41, 215–229.
- Jindo, K. et al. (2012). Root growth promotion by humic acids from composted and non-composted urban organic wastes. Plant and Soil, 353, 209–220.
- Canellas, L.P. et al. (2015). Humic and fulvic acids as biostimulants in horticulture. Scientia Horticulturae, 196, 15–27.
How to use: seed soak, seedling dip & root drench
This is a concentrated liquid with suspended mineral particles. Shake vigorously for 15–20 seconds before measuring. When diluting, add the fertiliser to a small amount of warm water (20–30°C) and stir for at least 30 seconds before topping up to the full volume. This ensures thorough mixing and uniform application.
Application methods
Seed soak — before sowing
Submerge seeds in the diluted solution and leave for 6–12 hours. Drain and sow immediately — do not rinse. The humic and fulvic acids accelerate water imbibition through the seed coat while calcium and micronutrients are absorbed directly. Expect faster and more uniform emergence compared to untreated seed.
Seedling dip — at transplanting
Prepare the solution and dip seedling roots for 10–30 seconds before transplanting into the final position. This coats the root system with a nutrient-rich biostimulant film that promotes rapid re-establishment, reduces transplant shock, and feeds the root zone biology in the critical first days after planting.
Root drench — after planting
Apply immediately after sowing or transplanting. Pour the diluted solution directly over the planted area at a rate of 1 litre per square metre. This delivers calcium and micronutrients to the root zone where the emerging root tips will access them first. Follow with normal watering to settle the soil around seeds or transplants.
Step-by-step for seed soaking
- Shake the bottle vigorously. The suspension settles during storage — shake for 15–20 seconds before measuring.
- Measure 3–3.5 ml per litre of water. For a standard bowl or tray, 1 litre of solution is usually sufficient for a batch of seeds. Use warm water (20–30°C) for mixing.
- Add seeds and soak for 6–12 hours. Small seeds (lettuce, brassicas) need 6 hours. Larger seeds (peas, beans, sweetcorn) benefit from 10–12 hours. Do not exceed 12 hours.
- Drain and sow immediately. Do not rinse the seeds — the nutrient residue on the seed coat continues to feed the emerging root. Sow into moist compost or soil as normal.
- Optional: apply a root drench after sowing. Use the same dilution rate (3–3.5 ml/L) to water the tray or bed after sowing for maximum early nutrition.
This is a starter fertiliser — designed for the first 2–4 weeks of a plant's life. It is not a replacement for ongoing feeding. Once seedlings are established and growing strongly, transition to a Dr Forest crop-specific fertiliser (Tomato, Rose & Flower, All-Purpose 6-6-6, etc.) for the vegetative and fruiting phases.
Follow up with Seaweed Powder as a fortnightly biostimulant drench once seedlings are established. Use Cal-Mino for ongoing foliar calcium during fruiting. For soil-applied baseline nutrition, incorporate Yorkshire Polyhalite or Dr Forest crop-specific blends into the compost or soil before planting.
Frequently asked questions
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