I've been doing lots of research on brugs, thanks to this forum and I have a question for all you brug pro's out there.
Is Osmocote a good way to go for hungry brugs or should I try a water soluble like Mir. Grow?
The Osmocote route seems like a lot less work, but I'd like to see how you all weigh in and I'll keep a tally. Thanks!
Lali
To Osmocote or Not to Osmocote
Brugs are such hungry things most of the year that it probably wouldn't do any harm, but during active growth and bloom season I would supplement the timed release with immediate release on a regular schedule.
Barb
This message was edited Nov 11, 2005 8:50 AM
Not a pro here, but I use it for mine. I am slowly but surely getting all of the ones I am keeping in ground and toss osmocote or pete's around liberally. I just do not have the time for a regular blooming schedule. I use an active release on the potted ones in summer since the water that runs through-runs away.
I personally have used osmocote and been very happy with it. The only reason I stopped is a gal gave me a bag of rabbit doo and a bag of llama doo & I have stopped the osmocote until its gone. But I plan on going right back to osmocote when it is. I personally don't use mir. gro because I don't want to fert every week. With osmocote I can be lazy about it and I reallllly like that. :~)
Well I have all my brugs in pots so I fertilize every week and usually just pour it dry and water it in....I need to get stock in all the fertilizer companies I buy from...Judy
begoniacrazii,
Thanks so much for starting this thread.
I hope Osmcote is a good product
as I am using it for the first time on all my overwintering potted brumansias and other tropicals .
Makes sense that a slow release could be beneficial in my circumstances.
Looking forward to hearing of other DG'er experiences.
S.
Lali, I don't use anything till about March now. I am afraid to get new growth outside that will just be so prone to dieback in the winter. And the ones I move inside are big enough! LOL.
I toss a handful of Osmocote in the pots a few times a year. But I act like I haven't fertilized and also toss MG dry on the soil and then water it in when I think of it. I love that method (I learned it from here) it is so fast and easy!
I do a lot of foliar feedng. Brugs love it. And last year I also used those fertilizer spikes and they seemed to love those too. Some I couldn't even stick in the dirt, so root bound so I just left them on top.
For brugs in the ground, I buy the cheap stuff in big bags at HD, usually 16-16-16 and just toss it by the handfuls as the season progresses.
And I am guilty of trying just about everything that is discussed on here. I run out and buy it. LOL So my plants in general get a wide and varied diet. I figure I will hit just right part of the time!
Interesting about the MG going on dry... How much do you put...maybe a teaspoon. We have a lot of rain...certainly most every night now, that would be a good solution!!!
Carol
On a 5 gallon pot I put a few tablespoons at least, Carol! I never had a problem. I just shake the bag out over the top and go to the next pot. I do use it up real fast.
The only problem I ever have had is with that Bayer for rose food and systemic. I have burned a few with that stuff. And with that I learned to to water the day before. Apply it evenly over the top, not clumped, then water in again. And not be heavy handed like I usually am.
I've done the MG on soil before but not often. I suppose it might be best to do the Osmocote in the early spring, then supplement with MG. One thing I do know, is never (never say never right) fertilize or (I believe this goes for any product added to soil or sprayed on soil) when the soil is dry. especialy rootbound plants. Almost always causes burn (or some form of insult) unless you are flushing the plant pretty good.
Since I'm not brave enoug to but a brug in the ground here, I suppose I could have been more specific and added Osmocote or not for Potted brugs. It seems that a 'Super Bloom' type fertilizer would be good to use mid season in addition to the MG and Osmocote.
Thanks to all who have weighed in, keep it coming.