Re: Fertilizer
- To: perennials@mallorn.com
- Subject: Re: Fertilizer
- From: M*@aol.com
- Date: Thu, 21 Jan 1999 22:11:39 EST
In a message dated 1/21/99 8:14:59 PM Central Standard Time,
dmiller@kilstock.com writes:
<<
Can fertilizer be integrated into a drip irrigation system? I'm thinking of
setting up one of the DripWorks systems, and maybe that would solve my
problem.
Am I the only one with this issue?
>>
Fertilizing is not one of the easiest things to master.
I would not use lawn fertilizer on perennials, trees, shrubs or annuals.
Lawn fertilizer has too much nitrogen and too little of any thing else.
10-10-10 or 12-12-12 works very well.
You want to use something that is balanced, Use one of those hand spreaders
for applications and water in well AFTER spreading the fertilizer-you do not
want to apply fertilizer when plants are wet. The beads will stick to the
plant leaves and burn them.
You can apply fertilizer threw your watering system by attaching a device
called a Siphon mixer. $15.00. Or if you want to get real fancy you can get an
injector-but then be ready to spend $350.00
the siphon mixer works well.
Osmocte is a great product but I recommend it for plants you are growing in
pots.
One of my suppliers has steered me to a new product call nutricote. they said
it has a less tendency to bleed out during real hot weather. Both these
products are temp regulated, the warmer it is the faster the fertilizer is
released.
You can use them on the ground but it is expensive.
The 10-10-10 works well and should be in most cases applied two or three times
a year. Early spring, late spring, mid summer. Fall fertilizing is not
recommended unless it is very late after leaf drop.
Compost does not add to much in the way of nutrients to the soil, it's great
for improving texture. Most compost comes in around 2-.75-1 or less.
Personally I like foliar sprays-use a spray tank and buy miracle grow or
peters. Mix it in the tank and spray right on the leaves of the plants. the
draw back is that this should be done every three weeks. But it's easy and
fast and you can do it at the same time you are weeding.
Like you -- when I use the garden hose type fertilizer things- I get all wet.
And dragging that hose around tends to damage a lot of things for me-
frustrating.
Paul Henjum
Specialty Perennials
zone 4
Minnesota
http://hardyplants.com
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