DIY micronutrients

[John Smith[_2_]]

I have been experimenting with do it yourself micronutrients.

I obtained some hydrochloric acid from Lowes and use it to make ferric
chloride, zinc chloride, etc.

I obtained some sulfuric acid from a battery company and use it to make
ferric sulfate, zinc sulfate, etc.

And, of course, only a minimum of acid should be used to effectively
dissolve the metal(s.)

A readily available of the metal zinc is from the can of a carbon zinc
battery (Don't use an alkaline battery!) Simply cut the battery in
half, lengthwise, and clean out the materials, scrub the metal clean and
dissolve.

Iron can be either stove bolts, bailing wire, etc. Just make sure it is
a soft wire with no alloys and NO coatings--such as galvanized wire.

A trip to a metal scrappers can provide you with most needed metals ...

After the metal is dissolved in the acid, it is important to neutralize
the solution to near 7.0 ph; this can be done with calcium hydroxide
(cooking lime, or a like base--in a pinch, sodium bicarbonate can be
used, or baking soda.)

Anyone else avoiding the high cost of micros and using a similar system
or have any data on homemade micros?

Regards,
JS