Banana vs Synthetic Fertilizer - What is the difference?

Is it safe to use synthetic fertilizer for growing food? Is it toxic to people? Is it more toxic than a banana?
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Banana vs Synthetic Fertilizer - What is the difference?
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[@cshieldsie9920]

I was the one who asked that “ridiculous “ question-which also seemed “odd” to you. Today’s explanation was quite clear and I’m glad you thought it deserved its own video, which makes me think it wasn’t that ridiculous. I follow you because I am trying to learn from you. I don’t have a chemistry background. I’m a retired elementary school teacher trying to be the best home gardener I can be. Asking questions is how we learn.

[@Zizzyyzz]

I don't think it was ridiculous at all. And I'll never be convinced that the creation can do it better than our Creator. Synthetic fertilizers are a *NO* for me.

[@tesseract5082]

It was a VERY GOOD QUESTION, in my opinion.

[@666bruv]

Ditch following this content creator, look at Jessie of 'No-till growers'. He is a dedicated small scale farmer

[@Zizzyyzz]

@@666bruv Way ahead of you. Lol.

[@666bruv]

@@Zizzyyzz good to see, bruv

[@sythshowedu]

finally a gardening channel not peddling organic hippie bs

[@morganchance9723]

My veterinary toxicology professor used to say ‘the dose makes the poison’. Most everything is toxic… if you get enough of it, including most chemicals that are essential requirements for life.

[@frostamatus]

Extraction of chemical compounds makes it much easier to turn the dose poisonous. Though he does bring up a great point about castor beans. Not everything natural is good. Very few synthetics are good. Humans are just too dumb to get it right. Too many complex mini-variables to accommodate. Something will always come unbalanced.

[@PJ77ful]

Including water!

[@jlseagull2.060]

So do foods we eat!

[@henrysaw3091]

The funny thing about most people don't know is Organic and Inorganic terms are not originally from Agriculture and farming. The terms are from Chemistry. Organic and Inorganic are categorized by chemical compounds. Even water (H²O) is not organic based on chemistry terms. Yeah , you are right about the quote "the dose makes the poison". The problem is that people don't know how to use some chemical compounds to be effective.

[@deinse82]

When regenerative farmers say that "fertilizers kill microbes", they don't mean that they kill microbes directly. What is happening is a long story most farmers don't feel confident going into, but the end result is indeed the death of microbes. We know this is happening. We know that agricultural lands are losing organic soil content. Not because the fertilizer is "poison" to microbes, it's not. But because this heavy handed input disrupts the ecology of the soil. This isn't due to Chemistry, it's due to Ecology. Let's make a comparison most people should be able to understand, because nature documentaries explain it ad nauseam: if you decided to go into Yellowstone with trucks full of corn, and start feeding the deer massive amounts of it, that would disrupt the ecosystem of the area, causing all sorts of unwanted consequences. First, the deer would multiply and out-compete other species for food, thus killing off those species. Then, when the corn runs out, the deer would start dying, diseases would start spreading among them, etc. Eventually, you would end up with fewer deer than you started out with. Now, all the predators are in trouble, because there's far less food for them. The act of feeding the deer an external input, intuitively, should help the ecosystem. Make it richer: more deer, more predators, more everything. But, in reality, it doesn't. It causes imbalance, which causes dysfunction. The corn isn't a "chemical poison". Corn is great for deer. It's an ECOLOGICAL POISON. The soil is an ecosystem as well. Same as the fauna and flora of Yellowstone. If anything, even more complex, even more precisely balanced and therefor sensitive to heavy handed inputs. I fully agree with you that there's nothing wrong with using chemical fertilizer in container gardening, because, in containers, the ecological balance has already been disrupted. You're already in a chemical system, rather than an ecological one. But, in a permaculture style garden, you don't have a chemical system: you have an ecological system. And yes, concentrated, fast acting chemical fertilizers are a POISON to that system. They harm it. That's fact, not speculation. Same goes for all sorts of heavy handed inputs, including tilling the soil, mixing in compost, etc. Less dramatic interventions, such as mulching the soil with organic matter, are good for the ecosystem, because they are slow acting, giving the system time to adapt to that input. Similar to how slowly reintroducing small groups of predators, or bison, or some other missing species, is helpful to the Yellowstone ecosystem. Heavy handed interventions are, however, bad for it.

[@Liftingup]

Is it safe to say that organic fertilizer is a heavy handed input as well? So maybe we be less concerned about the “chemicals” and more about influencing the balance with inputs?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

"We know this is happening" - you believe this to be true - but there is no evidence that it is true.

[@MikaerPéVermelho]

What I understand of the main drawback in environmental terms of synthetic fertilizers is that these nutrients are readily available and far more concentrated, meaning that we can easily overaply and that can go to the ground water or be toxic to the plants

[@MaybeBecause-m8t]

Guess that means WE are the ones holding the knife? WE are responsible for the overuses/ misuses, not the chemicals.

[@izzywizzy2361]

I think it is also important to look at the environmental impact of the production and packaging of synthetic chemicals when considering using them.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Valid point. Since synthetic is usually much more concentrated than organic fertilizer, it means organic fertilizer requires more plastic to package it, and more fuel to ship it because it is heavier on a per nutrient level. From a packaging point of view, organic is much worse.

[@TheLowLandGardener]

I understand that plant dont care whether organic or synthetic fertilizer are used. I prefer organic because of long term benefit to the soil.

[@johnboykin3128]

Thanks. Fertilizer when used irresponsibly is a problem and many golf courses are irresponsible

[@seanrich1367]

I'll keep using Miracle Grow. Thanks for sharing. It's good stuff in spite of the skeptics.

[@Rocketman0407]

Yes, nothing wrong with MG. Adding some organic matter/compost each season is a good practice if you use synthetics or concentrated organics. Only downside with synthetic is they usually has less or no micronutrients as well they contain no organic matter. I mix and match using synth and organic with a bit of compost as top dressing each season. Works well.

[@BillyBulletPewPew]

I encourage everyone to check out the podcast in search of soil.

[@didanz100]

Thx I'll check it out next

[@nnodunnodu7914]

what he is trying to say is that element sodium for organic fertilizer == sodium for synthetic. fertilizer, the is no charles sodium or peter sodium or cow sodium or cat calicium or trump boron, they are all the same, maybe one is slow release and unmeasured the other is fast release and measured, etc

[@nicholasdemarest4254]

What about the salts in chemical fertilizer that can build up?

[@gmo3686]

@@nicholasdemarest4254 excellent question

[@ninabalekic1431]

I travelled around Australia doing harvest work, I have picked and eaten, apples, grapes, tomatoes, eggplants, beans etc. etc., and they taste delicious straight off the tree, vines etc., but in the supermarket it is different, for instance store bought apples are yuk, but grapes are ok., tomatoes can be dicey from the stores because they pick them when they are not quite ripe. Some foods are gassed to change their colour and some are put in storage for a length of time so that we can buy them out of season. Also store bought fruits and vegetables are also grown for disease resistance, longer shelf life etc...and the list goes on..Stone fruits bought at our local supermarkets look so delicious, but they taste awful.

[@Rocketman0407]

Think it’s mostly the storage. The sugars in the fruit/vegetables/Berries decline fast after harvest

[@JakobIlar]

The Haber-Bosch process was discovered in Germany around 1910. It allowed the creation of ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen. Prior to this, nitrate fertilizer was made from seabird guano, which was hard to find. It has been estimated that 75% of the planet’s population exist solely because calories were created using synthetic fertilizers, to feed them.

[@Zizzyyzz]

@@JakobIlar And 100% of the planet is at below optimal health.

[@PJ77ful]

@@Zizzyyzz Isn't "below optimal" better than dead? (not that I believe your statement)

[@trill000]

Starvation is a political problem. Namely colonialism and exploitation.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

True - unfortunately, many organic proponents want to ignore the fact that synthetic keeps our population alive. If half the population would agree to die - maybe we could go more organic? Who has their hand up?

[@Zizzyyzz]

@@PJ77ful I guess I just have higher standards (and don't care if you do).

[@Rocketman0407]

I see they sell dried banana powder as a supplement some places. I will try it as a slow realese fertilizer. Seems promising seeing how eggshell powder starts to increase the available calcium after only one week. Ref soillabs

[@alisonburgess345]

Thanks Robert - I'm spending all day in the garden trying to bring a rhizomatus weed under control (sheep sorrel). Happy days!!

[@TimurDavletshin]

Why would bananas grown mostly on chemical fertilizer be different from chemical fertilizers? Did they stop teaching Conservation laws in schools? Phosphates in chemical fertilizers were bird droppings once, before they were fish bones. Potassium came from sea water evaporites. And nitrogen comes directly from atmosphere, just like nitrogen-fixing bacteria do.

[@Mark_Nadams]

I think the underlying question is "How much do you trust the chemical companies to only put the things plants need in their fertilizer formula?" I know what they promise and chemically you are accurate as long as they are honest and true to their word. I always worry / wonder what exactly are the inactive ingredients? These fertilizers are formulated by the same parent chemical companies that used to send out tanker trucks loaded with nasty chemicals and let them leak a drip at a time onto the highways.

[@MaybeBecause-m8t]

So you actually think those companies producing/harvesting seaweeds and other living/dead organic matter are totally doing it by the book? do they really care about/monitor the ecosystems they extracting from? IDK just asking.

[@willieverusethis]

Thank you.

[@gunslingorgunslingorsadf8150]

So, ultimately, yes, people need to understand their are chemicals that are good and bad for the health of life in general, including soil and human consumption. The next question is, are there bad chemicals in synthetic fertilizer. My only concern, and I yield to the wisdom of the chemist, is impurities. Correct me if I'm wrong, but synthetic fertilizers aren't made in a lab, these are industrial processes, some of which start with raw petroleum as the input as so much else does in society, like plastic. Is my concern valid? Keep in mind, most chemicals are not regulated. A secondary question is, are there bad chemicals in organic fertilizer. I do have concerns with some, but there are so many types and processes only spectroscopy could tell me. One concern is fish fertilizers, the concentration of mercury is very high in fish, once you dry it out and remove the water, it becomes much much higher, and that's just 1 "chemical" or element technically, don't want to offend, electrical engineer not chemist, lol, I build the controls of the factories and plants that turn your chemistry into huge processes, so we work know the same things from the other side side of the looking glass perhaps. Anyway, when you dry out anything at this point, even bone meal, we'll I certainly wouldn't eat a lot of it.

[@gunslingorgunslingorsadf8150]

I don't think it's fair to blame orangic movement for people's ignorance on chemistry. To be honest, I blame us, me and you, a process engineer and a chemist. We allowed a lot of "bad" chemicals into everything, microplastics have now been found in every human organ, of almost every cadaver examined... and there is so much more. IMHO, chemistry as a result has lost the publics trust... now they are afraid of everything synthetic... which, if you know nothing about chemistry, is actually a dam good way to survive in a polluted only profit driven society.

[@mohammedalkaabi8985]

Hello my friend I follow you in your important topics for the gardener But I want to ask a question if you allow me How are chemical and organic equal? ​​There are differences that distinguish the plant in its production of fruits, as when we eat cucumbers or tomatoes that are fed organically, we find their taste is better with sugars, smell and a higher percentage of vitamins than chemical. There is definitely a difference in this point. The soil that uses chemical continuously increases the percentage of salts and the percentage of disease infections increases, the most important of which are nematodes and root rot, since microorganisms die due to the concentration of salts from industrial fertilizers.

[@gmo3686]

@@mohammedalkaabi8985 my point exactly, well stated

[@ronaldgarrett8658]

Good explanation!

[@albarrette840]

Great video!!!

[@Rittley]

I appreciate the video but I am confused now. I doubt anyone out there really thinks that synthetic fertilizers miss or add chemical elements. Of course there is nitrogen in the organic fertilizers as well as in the synthetic fertilizers. Nitrogen is nitrogen just like molybdenum is molybdenum. What people mostly worry about is the different ways that very same chemical element might behave in organic versus synthetic environment and how that may affect the soil and the plant IN THE LONG RUN. This concerns not science as much as logic in the way that some of us begin to think that we humans can do better than and even beat nature to it because on the surface the plants grow faster with bigger fruits. But the skeptics among us know that looks can be deceiving and we wonder what might actually be going on underneath... Isn't this like feeding a child with processed foods and watch the child grow seemingly big and strong but in later years turns out to be ridden by a bunch of diseases? Processed foods contain the same chemical elements right? But their long term effects seem pretty shady, no? Or am I thinking about all this the wrong way?

[@latifsoomro6490]

Hi. Use water tds limet for plants.

[@jasongannon7676]

It's hard to remove the veil of fake information off of most of my customers despite 40 years in horticulture and my collection of degrees.

[@azumag4432]

Ok...but what about using garden soil...from my garden for my "house plants"?!

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

No reason you can't do that, but most garden soil does not have the porosity that houseplants want.

[@kimcosmos]

what about the sustainable production of those chemical inputs? Are they the equivalent of weathered rock dust? Organics are labor intensive but permaculture (which is anti organics) and syntropic agroforestry isn't. Needless to say, I mostly don't practice agroforestry on my houseplants, although I have converted my compost bins to be self watering to grow trees and herbs when they are full.

[@TheNewMediaoftheDawn]

Lots of half truths here. Are synthetic fertilizers toxic?, no they are mostly just minerals as mentioned, but in higher amounts they do burn soil organisms, especially urea. Plus, they leach into waterways causing issues. Also, by repeatedly using chemical fertilizers farmers starve the soil life, that can’t feed off them, like in nature they feed off manure, leaves, dead grass, wood, ect. This leads to loss of organic matter in soil. Lastly, almost any chef will tell you hydro tastes worse, and the reason is lack of trace elements. Chemical fertilizers contain between 6-12 minerals per blend on average, but nature has dozens of elements. What about gold, silver, iodine, selenium, chromium, ect these lacking minerals lead to lower taste and nutrients, this is the truth unfortunately.

[@robertjanez7467]

as a new Organic fruit farmer , I can 100% say that organic fertilizers (manure, compost, mulch) provide a much flavourful peach, pear than anything I have ever bought in the grocery store. I also don't use herbicides nor fungicides. this all contributes to my soil being healthier ( i'm still working on that - since I bought a farm with infertile sandy soil) and my fruit tasting better. I get so much more energy from my fruit vs store bought as well - which undoubtedly tells me my fruit is more nutritious than the fruits grown on chemical farms these days.

[@Zizzyyzz]

Agree with both of you. Man-made or God-made. I know which one I'm choosing. 🌱

[@MikesHomeGrown]

You should listen to the video agian lol

[@MikesHomeGrown]

Like what he said to much of anything is poison. Organic or synthetic. You can still burn and have over rich soil if you add to much organic fertilizers. Go and try I’ve been growing cannabis and vegetables for years. You add to much organic or synthetic you get poison. Which can both go down in the water ways and whatever shit you listed. Don’t be ignorant. We have been eating synthetic food for years. Just cause something says organic doesn’t mean it’s 100%. Listen don’t listen. It’s up to you. Have a good day

[@oldporkchops]

​@@robertjanez7467Do you do Brix analysis for your fruits?

[@robworrall6832]

I don't blame Robert for getting a little ranty sometimes, it's like talking to a brick wall to some people the moment you mention 'Chemicals' Water is a chemical and most life cannot exist without it, it has 2 elements in it, Hydrogen and Oxygen. An element is an element and a compound is a compound, pure and simple. As long as there is no contamination then it doesn't matter where these building blocks came from - they are absolutely identical! Yes there are 'bad' chemicals too but who would be stupid enough to water a plant with paint stripper or the like?

[@nidasOrganicGarden]

In Philippines, Mango planted in container can produce fruits by using Banana peel soaked in water combined with Fermented Good Bacteria. My conclusions is Organic Fertilizer is powerful if you combined with Bacteria !

[@LiamEserda]

I once read that synthetic fertilizer disorientate worms.

[@brianczuhai8909]

Since you also grow hydroponics, how is it you can get all the micro-nutrients in the right amounts - for all plants? Now with commercially grown greenhouse plants, do they just focus on the macro-nutrients and not so much with the micro-nutrients, since those might be more expensive? Are they less healthy than an outside soil grown plant which might have those micro-nutrients in the soil?

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

Micronutrients are important in hydroponics and soilless media. There is very little data on what each plant needs - I just assume the amounts in fertilizers are close enough. Commercial operations generally grow a lot of one thing and then it is worth focusing on micronutrients as well.

[@brianczuhai8909]

What's somewhat ironic is, the synthetics probably do a better job at also supplying the micro-nutrients. whereas the organics are just trying to just supply the macro-nutrients from organic sources, usually animal poop. Then there's hydroponics. Where YOU are the IV and dictator of what nutrition the plant gets to live.

[@joshsylvester5964]

one of them is a fertilizer and the other is a banana

[@spasecookee]

I'd much rather eat a banana than fertilizer! I'm sure my plants feel the opposite :)

[@trill000]

Well, multi-vitamines do more harm than good. Much better to get those "chemicals" from whole foods for humans... So... plants may need to get nutrients via other means.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

That is wrong. Vitamin C from any form is exactly the same. It has a specific chemical formula.

[@DavidMerredew]

Good information as always!

[@johngault8688]

I do agree that synthetic and natural nitrogen is identical and the plant cannot differentiate. However, my problem with using synthetic fertilizers are that while they may produce positive results early on, they eventually destroy the symbiotic relationship between the plants and the soil organisms. Although, this isn't a problem (I don't think) in most garden beds, it is a problem in large fields that are too large to spread compost over. In that way, synthetic fertilizers can do harm to the soil, by breaking the natural processes and symbiotic relationships.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

"they eventually destroy the symbiotic relationship between the plants and the soil organisms" - that is not true. How could it be true if both forms of the nutrient are identical???

[@johngault8688]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 I do think that there is more research needed in the relationship in soil life and plants. However, from what I've read, I do believe that using synthetic fertilizers can reduce the plants root exudation patterns resulting in a die off of certain soil organisms that need more than just what's in the applied fertilizers. I also believe that this effect is cumulative over time.

[@ausfoodgarden]

I think the main reasons people think synthetic fertilizer is not as good as organic might be that many folks using things like Miracle Grow rely solely on that to grow plants. As well as all the media saying synthetic is toxic. Others looking for organic options also add compost and other things that improve the soil. Synthetic fertilizer works fine at reasonable doses but that organic matter is really important too. For context, I'm talking about outdoor gardens, indoor pots synthetic fertilizer is the best way to go IMO. Cheers!

[@Layby2k]

I've always thought synthetic fertiliser feeds the plants and organic feeds the soil. I use synthetic in potted plants as there is no/little soil biology in potting mix. In the garden beds I use organic as there is plenty of biology in there and it improves the soil structure.

[@ausfoodgarden]

@@Layby2k Depends what you mean by organic fertilizer. If you are talking about compost - yes for sure, but if you mean just fertilizer liquid or slow release they are much the same as synthetic.

[@Layby2k]

@@ausfoodgarden organic as in compost, manures, fish etc

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

"that organic matter is really important too" - it is important for building soil structure, but not for feeding plants.

[@ausfoodgarden]

@@Gardenfundamentals1 Yep that's what I meant. As the comment was in relation to feeding/improving the soil. I wasn't very clear on that. Thanks.

[@---dm4vx]

THERE IS A MASSIVE DIFFERENCE IN CANNABIS GROWN IN CHEMICALS AND IN REAL SOIL THAT SHOULD STAND AS EVIDENCE

[@MaybeBecause-m8t]

Those who did the comparison must be HIGH then😂

[@billsnyder6945]

I think you are oversimplifying. I agree with the general theory that chemicals are chemicals, I disagree that you cannot tell the difference in taste. I hate when I have to buy tomatoes in the supermarket in winter because they comparatively taste like cardboard. How measurable it is I don’t know. Maybe as a scientist you could search out studies of Brix levels and prove me and others wrong. But perhaps the most important thing is organic practices do not use pesticides. You simply cannot ignore that aspect and those risks. That maybe why there is a difference in decomposition in this experiment kzbin.info/www/bejne/pomwZXZ6hL2VitEsi=ge_nLZXzBtfMOEm-.

[@MaybeBecause-m8t]

Man you need to compare the exact same VARIETY of tomato in the exact same growing conditions.

[@dfabella85]

So what is the long term effect of synthetic fertilizer va organic fertilizwe in soil health? As far as i know rhe symthetic fertilizer is bad for health and soil... Your talking bs thia now... Lots of comment here dont agree with you even you have background in chemistry... Do you really have one?

[@weitang1196]

😂key: banana and banana only, not with banana peel. You will be surprised if you examine what is on a banana peel.

[@Power_Prawnstar]

No they aren't harmful. But they do travel, and they do replace, and they do have short shelf lives. My vermicost chicken manure tea, which you say is a waste of time, has somehow grown decent veg and fruit and isn't packaged in plastic. So. You smell like Big AG. Stinky. Compost and fertiliser. Cool. I haven't used fertiliser in 5 years, my crops are good. Bit of petroleum? make you happy, cool. Im a qualified chef. I understand what your saying, but I know, for sure, that there's a million ways to cook a chicken. Same with gardening. You pretend to know it all

[@MaybeBecause-m8t]

I'm interested. there are many others who want to know this, too. do you know where can I find a RELIABLE comparison to show the effects of chicken manure tea on a group of plants to another group of plants(same variety). growing time, number of harvests, plant size and health, fruit health, size, color, smell, taste etc?

[@gmo3686]

2:15 So the contents of the banana included Kcals or calories. Here’s the thing, a calorie isn’t not simply a calorie when it comes to nature & our bodies. Likewise, just because a lab can’t tell the difference in chemical makeup, doesn’t mean your body can then too be fooled. Ex: 2000 calories of coconut & 2000 calories of Twinkies are two different things and affect us differently when digested. Similarly, processed manmade synthetic chemicals do not equate to natural organic fertilizers. The FDA has already been trying to convince us that chemicals in highly processed food are the same as found in whole food. When feeding your plants, this jargon here is no different; same lie, different day. Evidence based, just look around you & see the results of manmade intake. Have your plants intake manmade fertilizers and your plants will look just as poor as the modern population. So then too, a chemical is not simply a chemical. Stay natural my gardeners, you can imitate The Creator but you will always remain a subpar knockoff.

[@Gardenfundamentals1]

??? That is completely irrational - we are not comparing coconuts and twinkies?

[@gmo3686]

@Gardenfundamentals1 but regardless, you are comparing “processed” to “natural”, as if they are the same. So yes that caparison may be extreme but again in turn would you equate a diet of whey protein power & centrum pills to a whole food diet? Heck, would you compare any highly processed meal to a home cooked whole food one? Go ahead, your choice of the two, my query of “are they the same?” still stands…