osmocote

Quick question: I've begun using osmocote on my p. afra and have given it a healthy dose on top of the soil. It's loving it. The instructions say it's good for up to six months of slow-release feeding. When do you all replenish the osmocote? After six months? Earlier? Thanks! Yusef

There is always the possibility of mixing slow release fert directly into the bonsai soil mix at repotting time (early Spring). Is it a wise thing to do? I keep wondering about one or more of the little pellets exploding inside the rootball and doing real damage. In short, is it safe? Does it work?