Potassium

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Potassium (K)

Potassium is a chemical element with symbol K (derived from Neo-Latin kalium) and atomic number 19. Elemental potassium is a soft silvery-white alkali metal that oxidizes rapidly in air and is very reactive with water, generating sufficient heat to ignite the hydrogen emitted in the reaction and burning with a lilac flame. Naturally occurring potassium is composed of three isotopes, one of which, 40K, is radioactive. Traces (0.012%) of this isotope are found in all potassium making it the most common radioactive element in the human body and in many biological materials, as well as in common building substances such as concrete.

 

Because potassium and sodium are chemically very similar, their salts were not at first differentiated. The existence of multiple elements in their salts was suspected in 1702, and this was proven in 1807 when potassium and sodium were individually isolated from different salts by electrolysis. Potassium in nature occurs only in ionic salts. As such, it is found dissolved in seawater (which is 0.04% potassium by weight), and is part of many minerals.


Most industrial chemical applications of potassium employ the relatively high solubility in water of potassium compounds, such as potassium soaps. Potassium metal has only a few special applications, being replaced in most chemical reactions with sodium metal.

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Potassium deficiency guide

Potassium deficiency guide

It is necessary for all activities having to do with water transport and the opening and closing of the stomata.

Potassium takes care of the strength and the quality of the plant and controls countless other processes such as the carbohydrate system. 

About potassium in short

What is it and what does it do?
Potassium takes care of the strength and the quality of the plant.
Controls countless other processes such as the carbohydrate system.
What can you see?
Dead edges on the leaves.
What can you do?
In case the EC in the substrate or potting mix is high, you can rinse it with clean water.
Add potassium yourself.

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Symptoms of a deficiency

Evaporation is reduced if there is a shortage of potassium. A consequence is that the temperature in the leaves will increase and the cells will burn. This occurs mostly on the edges of the leaves, where normally, evaporation is highest.

Development of a deficiency

  • Tips of the younger leaves show gray edges.
  • Leaves turn yellow from the edge in the direction of the veins and rusty colored dead spots appear in the leaves.
  • The tips of the leaves curl up radically and whole sections of the leaves begin to rot. The leaves keep on curling and ultimately fall off.
  • An extreme shortage produces meagre, unhealthy-looking plants with strongly reduced flowering.

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Reasons for a deficiency

  • Too little, or the wrong type of fertilizer.
  • Growing in potassium-fixed potting mixes.
  • An excess of sodium (kitchen salt) in the root environment, as sodium slows down potassium intake.

Solutions for a deficiency

  • In case the EC in the substrate or potting mix is high, you can rinse with water.
  • Add potassium yourself, either in inorganic form: Dissolve 5 – 10 grams of potassium nitrate in 2.5 gallons of water. In acidic potting mixes, you can add potassium bicarbonate or potassium hydroxide (5ml in 2.5 gallons of water).
  • Add potassium in organic form: Add a water solution of wood ash, chicken manure or slurry of manure (be careful not to burn the roots). Extracts of the grape family also contain a lot of potassium.

For your information

  • Potassium is absorbed quickly and easily by the plant. In a hydroponic system results get visible within several days. Potassium supplementation by leaf fertilization is not recommended.
  • Too much potassium will cause salt damage, calcium and magnesium deficiencies and acidification of the root environment!

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The Role of Potassium (K)

Potassium is a chemical element with symbol K (derived from Neo-Latin, kalium) and atomic number 19. It was first isolated from potash, the ashes of plants, from which its name derives.