Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How does Nutri-Pak® work?

A. Moisture (in the form of a vapor) or condensation enters the packet through micro-pores located on both sides of the packet. This vapor (condensation) coupled with the warming soil causes the dry granular fertilizer to break down and become soluble. The pressure caused by heat and vapor then releases the now liquid fertilizer back through the same micro-pores and into the soil gradually. These nutrients are released to the feeder roots located directly below the drip line of the tree, shrub or rosebush.

Q. How long does Nutri-Pak® Last?

A. In year round growing environments, the ½ oz. packet will last 1 year, and the 2 oz. packet will last for 3 years. In areas with a dormant season, the ½ oz. packet will last up to 2 years and the 2 oz. packet will last up to 5 years. The reason is the packets need temperature and moisture to release the nutrients through the micro pores and out to the plants roots.  Moisture enters the packet as a vapor, condenses on the fertilizer inside making a small portion soluble.  The temperature causes vapor pressure to build up inside the packet causing the soluble solution to seep out of the packet through the micro pores, at a rate that is directly inline with the plants needs. Nothing is wasted and the rest of the fertilizer is kept inside the packet for future release. Therefore when the temperature cools down and plants start to go dormant, the packets’ release also slows down and eventually stops during the dormant season. Also, if there is adequate temperature present but not enough moisture, the packets stop releasing, keeping the fertilizer off the dry roots which could injure them through burning.

Q. I'm used to applying substantial amounts of granual fertilizer to the soil to feed my trees and shrubs every 3 to 6 months, how can only a 2 oz. packet of granular fertilizer last up to 5 years?

A.
  • The reason a person has to apply so many pounds of granular fertilizer is that you cannot control the amount and time of its release.
  • Also, the natural saturation of rain water or irrigation washes up to 98% of the nitrates down through the soil and into the groundwater (commonly called LEACHING).
  • This process of granular feeding has a two-fold "shock" effect. In most cases, too much fertilizer is applied at one time. This massive initial dose often shocks the plant and results in root burning, which can lead to tree or shrub death. If the tree or shrub survives, it is shocked again when the fertilizer has leached into the groundwater, and no subsequent applications are applied. This feeding-starving process causes irregular growth patterns, poor overall health and possible death.

Using Nutri-Pak® solves all of the above problems in the following manner:

  • Nutri-Pak® is enclosed in a polyethylene packet. The packet only releases fertilizer when adequate temperature and moisture levels are present in the soil.
  • Consequently, a tree, shrub or rosebush only feeds when adequate temperature and moisture levels are present in the soil.
  • Heavy rainfall or over-irrigation will not deplete the Nutri-Pak® of its contents, due to the micro-pore design. The micro-pore design, found on all Nutri-Pak® products, only allows moisture to enter the packet in a vapor form (condensation) .
  • Finally, there is never a shock to the feeder roots from over or under fertilization, since tree or shrub feeding and fertilizer release are both activated by soil temperature and moisture. The feeder roots only take up nutrients when the temperature and moisture levels are correct. In addition, the fertilizer is activated and released only when temperature and moisture levels are correct.

Q. How often do I need to apply Nutri-Pak®?

A. One application of recommended Nutri-Pak® will last 1 to 2 years when using the ½ oz. packets and 3 to 5 years when using the 2 oz. packets, (depending on locale and growing season), and will insure a sufficient nutrient base.

  • Application is based on a minimum of 2 packets on any new planting, regardless of size, so fertilizer is released on both sides of the plant. For trees with a caliper diameter of more than 1 inch, use 2 packets per caliper inch of tree trunk diameter. For shrubs and bushes over two feet in height or spread, use 1 packet per each foot.
    EXAMPLE: If you plant a tree with a caliper diameter of three inches, you simply place 6 Nutri-Pak® packets in the ground around the tree (according to directions on packet). If you plant a three-foot high shrub, you place 3 packets in the ground (according to directions on packet). For maximum growth potential, one year later (when the tree grows 1/2 to 1 more caliper inch) you would add 2 more Nutri-Pak® packet, etc.
  • With Nutri-Pak®, future applications will not cause root burning because the nutrients are time-released at a very controlled rate, which eliminates the possibility of burning.

Q. How safe is Nutri-Pak® for the environment?

A. Nutri-Pak®  is SAFER for the environment than other fertilizers for the following reasons:

  • Due to the Nutri-Pak® Micro-Pore packaging, the fertilizer is contained and will not wash away, thus preventing contamination of groundwater supplies, unlike other fertilizers.
  • Nutri-Pak® is proven to increase the growth rate of trees or shrubs by up to 125%, resulting in an accelerated conversion of carbon dioxide into much needed oxygen. Here's how:
    • Carbon dioxide conversion takes place during the growth of the tree or shrub.
    • A tree or shrub not fertilized spends the majority of its energy seeking nutrients and has much less energy to convert carbon dioxide.
    • A tree or shrub that is fertilized with Nutri-Pak® spends the majority of its energy converting carbon dioxide into oxygen and much less energy seeking nutrients.
    • Nutri-Pak® is inserted 6 to 8 inches into the soil. Therefore it is not a threat to people or animals. Other fertilizers that are applied topically and could potentially harm people or animals.
    • The polyethylene packet does eventually leave the soil, as it is consumed by the acids and micro-organisms in the soil. Unlike other plastics found in landfills that take hundreds or thousands of years to break down, the Nutri-Pak® packet is totally consumed after several years.

Q. Can I use Nutri-Pak® 16-8-8 on any kind of tree, shrub, rosebush or perennial?

A. Yes, Nutri-Pak® contains the three basic nutrients needed for ALL plant life:

  • Nitrogen (16%) needed for greening and growth.
  • Phosphoric Acid (8%) needed for healthy blooming.
  • Potash (8%) needed for healthy root development.

Although, we do recommend that you should always fertilize with formulations that are directly related to the kind of plant you are fertilizing whenever possible. Nutri-Pak® is available in the following formulations:

  • 16-8-8 for Trees, Shrubs & Evergreens
  • 16-16-16 for Fruit, Nut & Flowering Trees and Shrubs
  • 15-20-15 for Roses and Flowering Plants
  • 12-4-12 w/Micros for Palm Trees
  • 18-6-12 for House/Potted Plants
  • 14-21-14 called Pond-Pak® for All Aquatic Plants

Q. Can I use Nutri-Pak® on my household plants?

A. Yes! You should use the 18-6-12 or the 15-20-15 and can use the ½ ounce 1-Year packets and at a rate of:

  • 4-10 inch pots use 1-2 packets
  • 11-14 inch pots use 2-3 packets
  • 15 inch or larger pots use 3-4 or more packets

Q. If I am fertilizing plants like Magnolia, River Birch and Azaleas, which would benefit from the Nutri-Pak® 16-16-16 formulation, but would also benefit from the micro-nutrients found in the Nutri-Pak® 12-4-12 formulation, can I use both packets on each plant?

 
A. Yes, even though the Nutri-Pak® 12-4-12 packets with micro-nutrients are recommended for Palm trees, you can use them on any plant that would benefit from micro-nutrients, or in soils that are micro-nutrient deficient.  You would use a minimum of 2 N-P-K packets, and 2 of the 12-4-12 packets with micro-nutrients, keeping in mind that on larger trees or shrubs you would follow the application rates, but use the 2 different formulations, half and half.

Q. If Nutri-Pak® last three years, does that mean I can only sell it to my customers every three years?

A. No, because as the tree or shrub grows it will need more packets installed to achieve optimum growth levels, so your customer can add a packet or two each year, installed at the drip line evenly spaced and 6-8 inches deep.

Q. Can I use just one packet on small plants?

A. No, because any tree that has a one-inch caliper diameter or less, or shrubs that are two-foot in height or spread or less, still needs two packets so the plant gets fertilizer on both sides for proper feeding.

Q. Can I use Nutri-Pak® on new seedlings or bare root trees?

A. Yes, because Nutri-Pak® is guaranteed not to burn young roots and will never over or under feed the plant or tree.

Q. Why should I use or sell Nutri-Pak® over other chemical fertilizers?

A . There are many reasons:

  1. You will not find a fertilizer with a more even and consistent release of nutrients than Nutri-Pak®.
  2. It lasts longer than any other fertilizer product on the market today.
  3. It is much more cost effective over time.
  4. It is much more labor saving.
  5. It’s not only safer for the environment, because there is no nitrate runoff or leaching, but it’s safer for you and your customers to handle because no one ever comes into contact with the fertilizer itself.
  6. It’s easier to use because there is no mixing, measuring or mess.
  7. It gives your customers a much better value for the money they’re spending.
  8. You will be able to lower your plant replacement cost from customers over fertilizing and killing their plants.
  9. The packaging is easy to read and understand with graphics and color-coded bands to help differentiate the formulations that are available.
  10. It is the easiest add on sale you will ever make, because it’s the most inexpensive insurance policy your customers have to insure the life and health of their plants.  A small pot near the checkout makes it easy to recommend with ever plant purchase made.

Q. Can I use a starter fertilizer with Nutri-Pak® at the time of planting?

A. Yes, it takes 3-4 weeks before the Nutri-Pak® packets will start to release, making it perfectly fine to use a quick release or starter fertilizer.

Q. Can I use a root stimulator or Mycorrhizal type product with Nutri-Pak®?

A. Yes, it is recommended to use those types of products with Nutri-Pak®, as it will only enhance Nutri-Pak’s performance.

Q. Does it matter what kind of soil type I have when using Nutri-Pak®?

A. No, Nutri-Pak’s release is totally independent of soil type, because temperature and moisture is what controls its release of nutrients.

Q. Does the pH level in the soil effect the nutrients coming out of the packet, thereby making them unavailable to the plants for uptake?

A. No, because the moisture going into the packet goes in as a vapor leaving behind the acidity or alkalinity in the water that the pH has effected thereby making the moisture entering the packet pH neutral.

Q. What is the shelf life of Nutri-Pak®?

A. As long as Nutri-Pak® is stored in a box and kept in a cool dry place, its shelf life is indefinite.

Q. If I use more than the recommended amount of packets on a planting, will it burn the roots and kill the plant?

A. No, Nutri-Pak® is guaranteed not to burn roots because of its very slow and consistent release. If an extra packet or two is put near the plants root zone it will not kill the plant.

Q. Can I use Nutri-Pak® in conjunction with a drip irrigation system?

A. Yes, because the drip irrigation system will give the plants the proper moisture levels to make the packets release at optimum levels.

Q. Can I use Nutri-Pak® in containerized plants?

A. Yes, you just place the packets halfway between the plant’s stem and the edge of the container, and about 3 inches below the surface of the soil.

Q. Can I place the packets in the bottom of the planting hole?

A. No, the packets should be placed around the root ball or mass, near but not touching the plants roots, and should be placed six to eight inches deep. This may require you to back fill in with soil until you achieve the proper depth.

Q. Can I water in a new planting like I normally would when using Nutri-Pak® on new plantings?

A. Yes, you can soak the planting hole and use normal watering procedures when using Nutri-Pak®.
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