Plagron - Vita Race

An organic foliar feed for mature plants, declared by Plagron as NPK 0-5-8 with 8% iron. Sprayed on the leaf early in the morning. Formerly called Phyt-Amin.

This is an iron spray now

Look this product up and you find the same declaration everywhere: organic NPK 6-8-6, based on beet vinasse and amino acids, with natural hormones in it. That was on our own page too.

It no longer holds. Plagron now declare Vita Race as NPK fertiliser 0-5-8 with 8% iron, and their own page calls it an iron spray. No nitrogen. Phosphorus, potassium and iron.

That is a different product from the amino acid blend the trade still talks about, and the hormone story comes from a label Plagron have replaced. So we do not print those old figures here, however many web shops repeat them.

Why iron in particular makes such sense through the leaf

Of all the nutrients, iron is the one where foliar application is most obviously right.

That is because iron locks up easily in the root zone. It is available across a narrow band and outside it precipitates into forms the root can do nothing with. The result is a familiar picture: you supply iron, it is in your reservoir, you can measure it in your feed, and the plant does not get it.

A foliar feed steps around that whole problem. You apply the iron where it is absorbed, and what is happening in your pot stops mattering for a moment.

On top of that, iron moves poorly within the plant. It barely relocates from old tissue to new, so a shortage always appears first in the newest leaves and does not recover there by itself. Anyone watching the youngest leaves yellow while the old ones stay green is looking at exactly the picture this product is for.

Early morning, and Plagron say why

Plagron advise spraying early in the morning, at the start of the day.

The reason they give is the right one: leaves take up nutrients mainly during the day, when the stomata are open. Spray at the start of the light period and the plant has the rest of the day to bring in what you applied.

Note that this differs from what other brands on this shelf advise, and that both can be correct. A manufacturer saying "spray with the lights off" is protecting against burn; Plagron are optimising uptake. For this product follow Plagron's instruction, and do not spray in bright, direct light.

For mature plants, and not in a hydro system

Plagron place Vita Race with mature plants. It is the counterpart to their starting product, which is meant for seedlings and cuttings.

You can also add it to your nutrient solution, but Plagron note it works faster as a spray. In a hydro system they advise against it: it contains organic components and those cause blockages.

If your mixed solution turns cloudy or starts to smell after a while, Plagron say that is normal and not harmful. It is the same bacterial process any organic product in water sets off.

Available sizes

Technical Specifications:

• Type: organic foliar fertiliser, NPK 0-5-8
• Manufacturer: Plagron
• Iron (Fe): 8%
• Intended for: mature plants
• Application: sprayed on the leaf, early in the morning
• Also possible: through the nutrient solution, though it works faster as a spray
• Not suitable for: hydroponics, because of blockage risk
• Formerly known as: Phyt-Amin
• Before use: shake well

Frequently asked questions

I read NPK 6-8-6 everywhere, which is right?
That is the old declaration, left standing across the trade after a reformulation. Plagron now give 0-5-8 with 8% iron.

Does it contain hormones?
Plagron's current declaration does not name any. That claim comes from the previous label and we do not repeat it.

Why early in the morning?
Because leaves take up mainly during the day. That way the plant has the rest of the day.

Can I use it in my hydro system?
Plagron advise against it. It contains organic components that can cause blockages.

My solution goes cloudy and smells.
Normal and not harmful, per Plagron. That is the bacterial process organic material in water sets off.