fertilizing for beginners

[benw3790]

You can find all kinds of information online and in books about fertilizong , and there are a lot of different debates about it. I'm not posting this thread to start any debates. As a beginner, and my first time using correct bonsai substrates this year (no more potting soil) I'd like to see if any of you guys have any good recomendations on a simple fertilizer that is easy to apply, easy to understand and that is available at Lowes or home depot. I don't understand when they say you apply every two weeks.. So what you just add fertilizer to your watering can and for ONE day every two weeks you water your trees with it? Or does it mean that you water trees with the fertilizer for the WHOLE week, every other weeK?? I don't get it. So I would like to just use a fertilizer that I can sprinkle on the soil and water in over the growing season. Its simple, you sprinkle it on the soil and forget about it. Can it really be that simple? If so, can any of you guys give any advice or recommendations as to what I should use? Would the miracle grow shake and feed work? I can't find any slow release pellets.. Also, when it comes to the levels of nitrogen, pottasium and phosphate I can't find ANY fertilizer with an even number. Its always something like 7-18-3 or something. I feel levels of like 15-15-15 would be perfect?

 

[cmeg1]

If you are using modern substrate,you might like this method by BVF. :http://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/category/bonsai-care/fertilizing/

 

[KennedyMarx]

When it says every two weeks, when using a liquid fertilizer, you dilute the fertilizer into your watering can and water the plants. Water as needed for the next two weeks and then fertilize again.

 

[benw3790]

When it says every two weeks, when using a liquid fertilizer, you dilute the fertilizer into your watering can and water the plants. Water as needed for the next two weeks and then fertilize again.

So add fert to the can, water trees as needed for two weeks, and then add more fert to the can?

 

[M. Frary]

Say you mix it up on Saturday and fertilize that day. Do not fertilize again until 2 weeks from that day. Every other Saturday. All the rest of the time water your trees as needed.

 

[benw3790]

If you are using modern substrate,you might like this method by BVF. :http://nebaribonsai.wordpress.com/category/bonsai-care/fertilizing/

Thanks for the link! I watched a video from Orlando bonsai today on how he makes his cakes.. But Its a lot more complicated. He uses bone meal, blood meal, fish emulsion, water (that is already mixed with a fert), lime something or other and one more ingredient that I can't remember but get this! He also throws in a little Elmer's glue to help bind it together, along with the fish emulsion and water.

 

[benw3790]

Say you mix it up on Saturday and fertilize that day. Do not fertilize again until 2 weeks from that day. Every other Saturday. All the rest of the time water your trees as needed.

Oh ok I see.. So IT IS for only one day every two weeks...? And youre supposed to go ahead and water that day, even if the trees don't need watering?

 

[quietobserver]

More reading if you're interested.

http://walter-pall-bonsai.blogspot.com/2010/06/feeding-substrate-and-watering-english.html

 

[Mike123]

More reading if you're interested.

http://walter-pall-bonsai.blogspot.com/2010/06/feeding-substrate-and-watering-english.html

Exactly what I was thinking. Great read. Really simplifies it.

 

[sikadelic]

Since I switched to a faster soil blend, I do the following: mix my miracle gro solution at full strength (12-4-8) and water once per week. I also use osmocote at the directed strength and reapply every month. Both of those products are available at any box store.

Some prefer organic and others don't. I like to think that any fertilizer works well as long as you are following a solid routine and providing your trees with what they need. Its also important to water with something lime a lime sulphur mix once or twice per year to balance the ph. Monitor your trees and see how they respond. One thing to pay attention to (depending on your species) is internode length. Too much fert can cause the length to grow too much and you might want to slow down.

I will end that with saying I have nowhere near the experience of other members here and I would weigh a lot of recommendations before settling for your plan. Just use what works for you and your trees. I'm getting some nice results so far in the trees that I have began fertilizing this year so far.

 

[FrankP999]

Its also important to water with something lime a lime sulphur mix once or twice per year to balance the ph.

I am guessing that was a typo and you meant "like a lime sulphur mix".

However, I was confused cause there is a LOT of difference between lime, and lime sulphur. Lime sulphur is very basic (in the acid /base sense) with a pH of over 11. Lime is calcium carbonate with a neutral pH (around 7). Lime will also buffer against pH changes.

I am sure you know this , but folks unfamiliar with lime sulphur might not. I would be careful watering with something like lime sulphur. It won't balance pH, it will raise it making the soil more alkaline. Unless the plant in question likes alkaline pH, might even harm or kill it. I would, for example, never use lime sulphur as a fertilizer on azalea.

 

[Wee]

Replying for easy finding later.....I need to upgrade my fertilizer program this year.

Brian

 

[Poink88]

Fertilizer mix strength depends on your substrate. I have a high organic soil mix so can afford to fertilize once every 2 weeks. My plants may not even complain if I fertilize every other month!

For inorganic soil, I would suggest diluted but frequent feeding (if using liquid fert). This is because the fert won't stay in that type of "soil"...any excess is washed away the next watering cycle.

Good luck!

 

[Paradox]

For developing trees, I apply miracle grow shake and feed pellets in April. When they really start leafing out /swelling buds, I mix the miracle grow powder and cut that in half. I apply this mix once every two weeks instead of regular water that day until mid-September when the temperatures start to cool down. You dont want to apply fertilizer then water right after because it will wash the fertilizer right out of the soil if your soil is fast draining.

 

[Poink88]

For developing trees, I apply miracle grow shake and feed pellets in April. When they really start leafing out /swelling buds, I mix the miracle grow powder and cut that in half. I apply this mix once every two weeks until mid-September when the temperatures start to cool down.

This a great compromise esp if you don't know or don't have time to fertilize. Note that these time release ferts are heat sensitive and may release more than expected in hot areas. Less in cold locales.

I also use it (just half the recommended rate) at spring and relies less on it.

 

[sikadelic]

I am guessing that was a typo and you meant "like a lime sulphur mix".

However, I was confused cause there is a LOT of difference between lime, and lime sulphur. Lime sulphur is very basic (in the acid /base sense) with a pH of over 11. Lime is calcium carbonate with a neutral pH (around 7). Lime will also buffer against pH changes.

I am sure you know this , but folks unfamiliar with lime sulphur might not. I would be careful watering with something like lime sulphur. It won't balance pH, it will raise it making the soil more alkaline. Unless the plant in question likes alkaline pH, might even harm or kill it. I would, for example, never use lime sulphur as a fertilizer on azalea.

Thanks for clearing that up. It was a total brain fart on my end...just typing away in the zone. I'm prone to a little mental flatulence from time to time.

 

[M. Frary]

Oh ok I see.. So IT IS for only one day every two weeks...? And youre supposed to go ahead and water that day, even if the trees don't need watering?

The day you fertilize you don't water the same day. Fertilize then resume watering when the tree needs it.

 

[GrimLore]

Seems we are missing a few different points here

1 - What specimens are we talking about...

2 - What substrate are they in...

3 - What are the needs of the specimens... for example have they just been repotted, layered or otherwise....

4 - Do they even need n, p, or k...

The subject went to fertilize with none of the above being considered and for me a totally different regime works... It really depends on all of the above and even more...

Grimmy

 

[benw3790]

Everything I have is pre bonsai.. I don't have anything that is refined in anyway. I'm using a soil mix of, lava rock, chicken grit, and pine bark. A few of my trees have just been repotted from potting soil, to this mix. I have junipers, azaleas, Japanese hollies, couple maples, couple crepe myrtles, a burning bush, and a Chinese fringe flower. Its my first time using fertilizers and my first time using inorganic free draining soil. Not all of my trees are potted in it tho. A lot of them are still going to be growing in regular potting soil. So, if I end up using some type of time release pellets, will they just drain right through, when I water my trees? And how long after repotting can you apply ferts? Thanks for all the input, BTW!

 

[edprocoat]

I fertlize every 3-4 days and keep Osmocote or whatever pelleted stuff I can get my hands on on the surface. I firmly believe what the plants dont need just is not taken up by them and is washed through the drain hole, but its available when they want it. I fertilize all plants equally, Trops, Elms, Barberry, Juni's. I do not like organics as they stink, attract bugs and other things like tree rats (squirrels) who will also nibble on your trees, and tend to clog your soil making it slower draining plus the fact you can wind up with Fungi (mushrooms) using organic ferts.

ed