Chitosan

Chitosan is an organic product made from crab shells. It improves seed germination, root development and general plant health. The scientific benefits of Chitosan have even been recognized in April 14, 1992 with the patent application 5,104,437. Independent research by Auburn University have also proven the benefit of Chitosan. Chitosan is found in many commercial products including General Hydroponics 'Chi Foliar Spray' and three different Grotek products.

All product descriptions should not be interpreted as a claim. It is only a summary of information commonly found on the internet including laboratory research. Products are not available in Canada.

Product Ordering

Chitosan 85% Not Available In Canada
Item	Price (US$)	Quantity	Item Total (US$)
1 Gram	2.60		0.00
5 Grams	7.20		0.00
10 Grams	10.77		0.00
25 Grams	21.54		0.00
50 Grams	35.98		0.00
100 Grams	60.26		0.00
250 Grams (USA only)	125.02		0.00
Product Total (US$)			US$0.00

Other quantities available upon request.

General Information
Each 1/32 Spoon Contains (grams)	0.066
Molecular Formula
Molecular Weight
US EPA Registration
US EPA PC Code
US EPA Toxicity Class
US DOT
IATA Transport Information
Material Safety Data Sheet
Dissolve With	Water

Chitosan 85 is completely water-soluble so you only need to add it to the right amount of water using the small white scoop that is included. Each scoop will hold about 0.066 grams of powder.

Please read the FAQ and select the PPM that seems the best for you type of plant and the type of results you want. It may be smart to start at an even lower PPM and over time, depending on results, you can raise or lower the PPM.

Chitosan Mixing Product Purity: 85.0%. Scoop weight: 0.066 grams. Fill the scoop to the top but not above the rim. Please read the FAQ and select the PPM that seems the best for you type of plant and the type of results you want. It may be smart to start at an even lower PPM and over time, depending on results, you can raise or lower the PPM.
How Much Powder To use		How Much Water To use
How Much Powder To use		600.0 PPM			700.0 PPM			800.0 PPM
Scoops	Grams	Liter	US Ounce	US Gallon	Liter	US Ounce	US Gallon	Liter	US Ounce	US Gallon
1	0.066	0.094	3.162	0.024	0.080	2.710	0.021	0.070	2.371	0.018
2	0.132	0.187	6.323	0.049	0.160	5.420	0.042	0.140	4.742	0.036
3	0.198	0.281	9.485	0.073	0.240	8.130	0.063	0.210	7.114	0.055
4	0.264	0.374	12.646	0.097	0.321	10.840	0.083	0.281	9.485	0.073
5	0.330	0.468	15.808	0.122	0.401	13.550	0.104	0.351	11.856	0.091
6	0.396	0.561	18.970	0.146	0.481	16.260	0.125	0.421	14.227	0.109
7	0.462	0.655	22.131	0.170	0.561	18.970	0.146	0.491	16.598	0.128
8	0.528	0.748	25.293	0.194	0.641	21.680	0.167	0.561	18.970	0.146
9	0.594	0.842	28.454	0.219	0.721	24.390	0.188	0.631	21.341	0.164

Chitosan Mixing Product Purity: 85.0%. Scoop weight: 0.066 grams. Fill the scoop to the top but not above the rim. Please read the FAQ and select the PPM that seems the best for you type of plant and the type of results you want. It may be smart to start at an even lower PPM and over time, depending on results, you can raise or lower the PPM.
How Much Powder To use		How Much Water To use
How Much Powder To use		900.0 PPM			1000.0 PPM			1100.0 PPM
Scoops	Grams	Liter	US Ounce	US Gallon	Liter	US Ounce	US Gallon	Liter	US Ounce	US Gallon
1	0.066	0.062	2.108	0.016	0.056	1.897	0.015	0.051	1.725	0.013
2	0.132	0.125	4.215	0.032	0.112	3.794	0.029	0.102	3.449	0.027
3	0.198	0.187	6.323	0.049	0.168	5.691	0.044	0.153	5.174	0.040
4	0.264	0.249	8.431	0.065	0.224	7.588	0.058	0.204	6.898	0.053
5	0.330	0.312	10.539	0.081	0.281	9.485	0.073	0.255	8.623	0.066
6	0.396	0.374	12.646	0.097	0.337	11.382	0.088	0.306	10.347	0.080
7	0.462	0.436	14.754	0.113	0.393	13.279	0.102	0.357	12.072	0.093
8	0.528	0.499	16.862	0.130	0.449	15.176	0.117	0.408	13.796	0.106
9	0.594	0.561	18.970	0.146	0.505	17.073	0.131	0.459	15.521	0.119

Chitosan Mixing Product Purity: 85.0%. Scoop weight: 0.066 grams. Fill the scoop to the top but not above the rim. Please read the FAQ and select the PPM that seems the best for you type of plant and the type of results you want. It may be smart to start at an even lower PPM and over time, depending on results, you can raise or lower the PPM.
How Much Powder To use		How Much Water To use
How Much Powder To use		1200.0 PPM			1300.0 PPM			1400.0 PPM
Scoops	Grams	Liter	US Ounce	US Gallon	Liter	US Ounce	US Gallon	Liter	US Ounce	US Gallon
1	0.066	0.047	1.581	0.012	0.043	1.459	0.011	0.040	1.355	0.010
2	0.132	0.094	3.162	0.024	0.086	2.918	0.022	0.080	2.710	0.021
3	0.198	0.140	4.742	0.036	0.129	4.378	0.034	0.120	4.065	0.031
4	0.264	0.187	6.323	0.049	0.173	5.837	0.045	0.160	5.420	0.042
5	0.330	0.234	7.904	0.061	0.216	7.296	0.056	0.200	6.775	0.052
6	0.396	0.281	9.485	0.073	0.259	8.755	0.067	0.240	8.130	0.063
7	0.462	0.327	11.066	0.085	0.302	10.214	0.079	0.281	9.485	0.073
8	0.528	0.374	12.646	0.097	0.345	11.674	0.090	0.321	10.840	0.083
9	0.594	0.421	14.227	0.109	0.388	13.133	0.101	0.361	12.195	0.094

1. What Is Chitosan?

Chitosan is an organic product made from crab shells. It takes 24 tons of crab shells to make one ton of Chitosan ¹.

2. How Should I Use Chitosan To Improve Seed Germination?

According to the various research that has been done on Chitosan it can improve seed germination ¹.The scientific benefits of Chitosan have even been recognized in April 14, 1992 with the United States patent application 5,104,437 ².

The Unites States Environmental Protection Agency has recognized Chitosan as a valuable seed treatment ³ in 1995.

1. www.actahort.org/members/showpdf?booknrarnr=673_83
2. http://wsurf5.respark.wsu.edu/US%20Issued%20Patents%20as%20of%207-22-2002/United%20States%20Patent%205,104,437.htm
3. http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/EPA-PEST/1995/April/Day-19/pr-224.html

3. How Does Chitosan Help Cloning Plant Cuttings?

Since the cuttings have no roots they have a harder time getting water. Research ¹ has found that plants given a foliar spray of Chitosan need up to 46% less water. Other products that can help plant cuttings are Indole Butyric Acid and Naphthalene Acetic Acid. We also have a discount cloning pack that includes chitosan.

4. What Commercial Products Contain Chitosan?

Chitosan is found in many commercial products, where it is either the main component or mixed with other elements.Redgreen's Feather Tea ¹ is mostly Chitosan made from crab shells and feathers. The amount of Chitosan in the product is not listed. Chitosan is also the main ingredient in Chi ² from General Hydroponics where is seems to be 2.5% of the liquid product. It is also present in many Grotek products such as Sugar Coat ³, Monster Cane ⁴ and Bumper Cotton ⁵.

1. www.groworganic.com/item_F970_FeatherTea1Liter.html?pMode=HiRes
2. www.genhydro.com/genhydro_US/chi.html
3. www.grotek.net/products/guide/product.asp?code=sugarcoat
4. www.grotek.net/products/guide/product.asp?code=monsterc
5. www.grotek.net/products/guide/product.asp?code=bumperc

5. How Much Chitosan Should I use?

I put the mathematics here for those who have an inclination for such things. Otherwise, feel free to skip this paragraph. Currently one product that contains Chitosan is a 980 gram bottle with 2.5% Chitosan; so the concentrate is actualy 25,000 PPM. The instructions ¹ state that 1.5 tablespoons (22 milliliters) should be diluted in 1 pint (473 milliliters) of water. Therefore, the liquid solution being used is PPM = 25000 / (473/22) = 25000 / 21.5 = 1162.

So an average application of Chitosan would be around 1162 PPM; but trying it at a lower PPM would be a good idea.

6. How Often Should I use Chitosan?

The United States Environmental Protection Agency provides a very good reference to Chitosan; it outlines that Chitosan should be sprayed on the leaves every one or two weeks.

7. What Is The shelf-Life of Chitosan Powder?

According to one manufacturer ¹ Chitosan powder can keep for up to two years in a closed plastic bag in a cool and dry location.

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