EMNZ Organic Plant Food+ Chilli Plant Comparison
Trial Background
This product trial was conducted by Jacqui, a staff member at Oderings Linwood, over the spring/summer growing season following a request from Oderings to evaluate EMNZ Organic Plant Food+.
Three chilli plants from the same batch were grown under the same conditions, including potting mix, watering, sunlight and plant placement.
The three fertiliser treatments compared were:
- EMNZ Certified Organic Plant Food+
- Certified Organic Ultra Fish Blood & Bone Fertiliser
- Tui 3-Month Slow Release Herb & Vegetable Fertiliser
The trial observations, photographs and final summary were subsequently supplied to EMNZ by Oderings.
Key Findings
EMNZ Organic Plant Food+
EMNZ Organic Plant Food+ produced the best overall result of the three fertiliser treatments.
- The EMNZ-treated plant was larger, greener and more vigorous throughout the growing season.
- Differences between treatments became increasingly apparent from approximately 10 weeks onwards.
- By Week 12, the difference in overall plant health between the EMNZ-treated plant and the other fertilised plants was substantial.
- Leaves remained healthy, strong and noticeably larger through to final harvest.
- The plant maintained a dense, healthy green canopy while continuing to develop fruit.
- Fruit production was estimated to be slightly higher than the other treatments.
- Fortnightly feeding maintained excellent plant health through to the end of the trial.
Tui 3-Month Slow Release Herb & Vegetable Fertiliser
The Tui-treated plant initially reached a reasonable size, but plant condition declined as the growing season progressed.
- Yellowing was observed from approximately four weeks.
- Leaves became smaller, rolled and increasingly unhealthy in appearance.
- By final harvest, the plant was noticeably yellow with small, stunted and rolled leaves.
- Fruit production remained relatively good and was only slightly below the EMNZ treatment, despite the substantially poorer condition of the foliage.
Certified Organic Ultra Fish Blood & Bone Fertiliser
The Fish Blood & Bone treatment produced the weakest overall vegetative growth.
- The plant remained smaller and less vigorous throughout the trial.
- Overall plant development was poorer than the EMNZ-treated plant.
- Fruit production was similar to the Tui treatment and only slightly below the EMNZ treatment.
Application Rate
EMNZ Organic Plant Food+ was applied fortnightly at 20 mL concentrate per 1 litre of water.
| Dilution | Approximate doses from a 1 L bottle |
|---|---|
| 20 mL per litre | 50 × 1 L doses |
| 40 mL per litre | 25 × 1 L doses |
Additional Observations
Use on Young Seedlings
During the trial, Organic Plant Food+ was found to be less suitable for very young seedlings before approximately the second true-leaf stage, with slight deformation observed following application.
Based on this observation, Organic Plant Food+ appears better suited to established seedlings and plants following potting-up.
EMNZ Healthy Soil+
Oderings also evaluated EMNZ Healthy Soil+ as a biological soil inoculant/tonic during the four-month trial.
No noticeable effect on visible disease control, including powdery mildew, was observed during the trial period.
As the assessment was based on visible plant responses over a relatively short period, no conclusions were drawn regarding potential longer-term effects on soil biology or soil health.
Oderings' Conclusion
The overall assessment from Oderings was clear:
“The best result was the organic plant food.”
— Julian, Oderings
Jacqui, who conducted the trial at the Linwood branch, concluded:
“Though it was a basic trial, the results with the EMNZ fertiliser were interesting and I observed that it is a premium organic liquid fertiliser.”
— Jacqui, Oderings Linwood
Key Takeaway
By 12–13 weeks, EMNZ Organic Plant Food+ had produced a visibly larger, greener and more vigorous chilli plant than the other fertiliser treatments, maintaining a healthy canopy while continuing to support strong fruit development.
The most notable advantage was not simply fruit production, but the ability of Organic Plant Food+ to maintain plant health, leaf quality and vigour throughout the growing season.
Trial note: This was a basic in-store product trial using one chilli plant per fertiliser treatment. The results represent Oderings' observations from this comparison and should not be interpreted as a replicated or statistically validated scientific trial.
