Seamungus vs Rocket Fuel ... what's the difference?

[cre8ivbonsai]

Over summer I tried a smaller bucket of Seamungus, and was quite happy with both application method, and results. However for the larger bucket, at $40/12Lt the price is a bit steep. Whist looking around and trying to justify the spend, I noticed another Neutrog product - Rocket Fuel at $18/15Lt in a bag. Whilst SM claims it is "Manufactured from fish, seaweed, humic acid and manure", RF doesn't actually say what is in it, yet the analysis of both products is very similar (only differs in the N + P slightly). Neutrog seems to want to try to hide RF a bit more as it does not appear directly on their products page , though on the actual products RF has an analysis and SM doesn't

So I'm wondering if they are essentially the same product marketed to different audiences? and therefore are we simply paying in excess of $22 for a bucket?

Rocket Fuel

RocketFuel.jpg

Seamungus

Seamungus.jpg

I will also ask Neutrog directly, though I doubt I'll get a straightforward answer, as of course they'd want me to pay twice the price for the same contents (if that is what's going on here)

What do you think? what's your experience with these products?

Cheers, Ryan

[Steve B]

Hi Ryan, keen to see what the answer is on this one as I have just found a supply of Seamungus in the big bucket. Contemplating loading up so good to know what you discover.

Thanks,

[cre8ivbonsai]

Ok so the results of the email are in ... I asked: "Hello, I would like to know what your product Rocket Fuel is made from? I have used your Seamungus before and would like to know how these two products differ in ingredients and purpose as the analysis of each seems quite similar."

and the first response I got was ...

Essentially Rocket Fuel was developed as a fruit and veg specific product in conjunction with the support for the Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation. Seamungus is more for natives, pre planting and a plant tonic.

digging a little deeper ... "Thanks Xxxxxx for your quick response. A further query: Your website states Seamungus is "Manufactured from fish, seaweed, humic acid and manure". I'm just wondering if Rocket Fuel is made from the same base ingredients? (couldn't see this on the website, product packaging or PDFs) or does it contain additional 'chemically boosted' fertilizers?"

and the first response ...

Yes Rocket Fuel is made with the same base ingredients and is an organic product

We've got a rep coming to our next meeting so I'll see what response I get face to face, but reading between the lines it sounds like a case of same shari different packaging (and price)

Based on the info at hand, at half the price I'm going to give RF a bash and see how it goes ...

What do you think Steve?

[Steve B]

I might hold off on the Seamungus and look for a bulk supplier of Rocket Fuel as I haven't seen that in the big bags to date. If it is based on the same seaweed ingredients it might well be a substitute. I think the "tonic" aspect must come from the seaweed etc as per seasol? Which is probably why they are pushing Seamungus for natives and aftercare. If Rocket Fuel has it as well then all good.

Is the Rocket Fuel you have found in granule or powder form? I was going to use the granules as slow release in my mix.

[cre8ivbonsai]

From what I could tell (without opening the bag) it appears to be the same pelleted form as Seamungus.

Apon reflection of your seaweed comment, I wonder if RF has a higher ratio of manure (ie closer to DL), this may therefore 'justify' the price difference in paying for more seaweed/fish emulsion content? I can feel another email coming on

[Isitangus]

I have recently gone trough a small tub of seamungus and also pleased with results-keen to see the outcome as I'd be more than happy just to buy a big bucket or small wheel bin from bunnings and keep my fert/stuff in that insteaf

[cre8ivbonsai]

Apon reflection of your seaweed comment, I wonder if RF has a higher ratio of manure (ie closer to DL), this may therefore 'justify' the price difference in paying for more seaweed/fish emulsion content? I can feel another email coming on

Looks like I was barking up the wrong tree with my initial assumptions and the reflection above was more accurate. After making a further inquiry I am now of the understanding that the two products are NOT the same with each having its own purpose. The response I received today was a lot more informative, and as not to adlib/or miscommunicate here it is ...

Hi Ryan, thought I would give you an honest straightforward answer to your questions, as we don’t want you paying more for product than you need to.

You should understand that we, like many manufacturers of all sorts of products, have a base product (stock Standard) and a premium (bells and whistles) No different to buying a car, with or without the extra’s, one will perform slightly better than the other.

Seamungus does have more in the way of seaweeds / kelps etc and yes that is part of the cost difference. The packaging is also more expensive as a lot of consumers prefer the bucket for ease of storage and retention of smell. Yes Rocket fuel has more manure (the cheaper raw material), but the blend itself, and the relevant manufacturing costs, differ from Seamungus.

Yes, the Seamungus mixture is more suited to Natives because of the lower P levels, and in turn is ideal for planting for that same reason, relating to root growth and the gentle nature of P required.

I hope this helps you understand the differences between the 2 products

Regards

Thanks to Neutrog for their speedy responses to all my queries!

Better informed, I now intend to continue to use Seamungus (already have enough DL), and I'm looking forward to trying the 'Crumble' version, which I think may be more suitable for our purpose.

I'd love to see them offer it in larger bags to make it more cost effective to buy... what do you think?

So go ahead Steve, stock up, and now you too know the difference between the two products ...

Cheers,
Ryan

[jezz_39]

Firstly, thanks for the info and effort you've gone to Ryan, Im sure it greatly benefits a lot of members
Ive seen Seamungus before and noticed a few people using it, but myself personally have never bothered to purchase. Ive used both Dynamic lifter and Neutrog's Sudden Impact for Roses. Have not used the 2 in conjuction as an experiment but both seemed to have similar results. I found as Ken has stated many times that the neutrog breaks down a lot easier and faster. Im currently doing a trial with these pelletised fertilisers of stuffing them in a stocking (alternatively tea bags are a good option) as I've found the application on the soil surface turns into a hard crust, or even introducing mould and unwanted bugs to the substrate which can alter the free draining qualities of my mix. I know this method has been used by others for some time now and with great success so it makes sense for me to follow suit.

I guess my question is, why are you choosing Seamungus over the Rocket Fuel? Theres not a huge difference in the NPK and the Seamungus being more Seaweed based just seems like more of a tonic, something you would add to the mix after repotting or collecting? Whereas the Rocket Fuel would seem like more of a fert with the manure base. The 1.3 P would not do any harm to natives whatsoever. I use up to 4% Phosphorous on all my Melaleucas, Casuarina and Banksia with no negative effects thus far.

Not getting into the fertiliser debate but perhaps the Rocket Fuel would go well with Charlie Carp in alternating weeks??

[Steve B]

Thanks for your efforts Ryan, I'll be investing in the Seamungus buckets as a result! I actually have some plans for those buckets when they are empty - they look like great humidity containers to get some arial root action happening on a couple of figs and schleffera's I have been fuse grafting together for Banyan attempts.....

On your approach Jezz (which I think makes a lot of sense) I want to trial the bigger Seamungus pellets in my (Ken's) mix as an alternative to Osmocote. Mainly as I have a lot of bigger natives that will be getting lifted and severely root pruned to fit into pots, so I'm thinking having a tonic in the mix will be useful. Still using a combo of Seasol and Powerfeed alternately every fortnight or so as a liquid fert.

[Bougy Fan]

I am a confimed user of Seamungus for repotting and as a "pick me up" for trees looking a little sad. You can use it when bare rooting unlike DL, Rooster Booster or Sudden Impact. And I love the buckets

[cre8ivbonsai]

After unsuccessfully searching for larger bags, I 'crumbled' and went and got some Seamungus Cumble at the big blue shed today. I eventually ended up showing a group of three employees what the product was and after searching around (and debating about why their own website said they had stock but because they didn't know it it couldn't possibly be stocked), I showed them where instore it was located and what it was used for. So if you're go to the bbs to buy this, don't ask for assistance, just find it in the lawn fertiliser section inside (as opposed to the lawn fertiliser section outside). And fyi normal Seamungus is at the other end of the same indoor isle, while their other Neutrog products Kahoona, Sudden Impact etc were all stacked outside in amongst their plants.
Anyway for those interested in the SM crumble the consistency of the product at first open is mostly fines, with some particles up to about 6mm and looks like this...
It should brake down better than pellets and contribute more to soil health too rather than just sitting on top.

Why I'm using this product: I find liquids both messy, time consuming in mixing and applying and a bit wasteful, you pour it on and few seconds later you watch it all flow out the bottom. Early days, but I'm finding this product replaces three others that I used (seasol, powerfeed, DL) and has the benefit of a more sustained feed over days/week(s).