Which is better: Liquid or powdered?

George Staby, president of the Chain of Life Network, compared the pros and cons of liquid and powdered postharvest flower foods.

PROS: Powdered form

* Generally costs less to use because shipping costs are lower.

CONS: Powdered form

* Limited in the types of chemicals that can be used as ingredients.

* Some are not easily dissolved in water.

* Efficacies can sometimes be less than liquid forms because liquid forms can use a wider range of ingredients.

* Have to make liquid concentrates when using proportioners/injectors.

PROS: Liquid form

* Easier to mix with water.

* Do not have to prepare liquid concentrates when using proportioners/injectors.

* Efficacies can sometimes be better because a wider range of ingredients can be used.

CONS: Liquid forms

* Often are more expensive.

“It was a common belief years ago that powder forms of flower foods were more desirable because they were less expensive,” Staby said. “Today, this belief should be tempered with the fact that certain liquid flower food formulations can sometimes work better than powder forms. Thus, one has to determine if the effectiveness of certain flower food brands is worth the added price.”

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Flower food, both liquid concentrate and powder forms, have to be mixed with water.

For more: Chain of Life Network, (209) 295-1577; www.chainoflifenetwork.org.