?????????a fertilizer question?????????

when a fertilizer says it feeds up to three months, does that mean that it releases the same amt of fertilizer as one application of a not time-release spread out over a long period of time, or does it mean that its concentrated, and releases the same amount as normally would be applied with a fertilizer that is not time-releasedin 3 months? have i just totally confused yall?

I think I understand your question! lol A fert that says that it releases for 3 months does just that. Over the course of 3 months (depending on the temp and amt of water that the plant gets) the plant will get the proper amt of fert. They are known as slow release ferts. If it was a quick release (like triple 10) then it would shoot it all at once (when it got water) or the rest with the second watering.

Generally the rate is one tablespoon per gallon-so with a two gallon plant you would put 2 T in it or topdress (put on top).

Concerning the water and temps: certain slow release ferts release at different soil temps. The sulfur coated ones release at about 45 degree soil temp. The poly coated ones release about 60-70 degree soil temps. They all also need water/moisture to activate/release the fert. So a plant in dry soil that is kept dry isn't going to get the same amt of fert that a plant in wetter soil (still allowed to dry out) is going to get.

Hope that helps. If you have more questions, or I made a mess of answering-just ask!

ok gotcha... so for a brug, wait till its gone, even though they thrive on "too much" fertilizer?

You can increase the amt of fert that you put on if you know that it is a heavy feeder-like maybe 1.5T instead of 1 T, but be careful-it doesn't seem like alot of fert, but you can burn a plant with it, esp if it is in a container. If the plant is in the ground, then you can increase it a bit more. I give a small handful sprinkled around the leaf line in the spring.

it is in the ground. i already burnt it, but since then, i have been putting almost 2x as much, and its fine... first blooms this week!

Have you had your soil tested? If not, you might want to take a pint of dry soil to the Clemson Extension Service; it is in the county office building (old Library) on 278 on HHI.
I think it costs $6.00. If you live anywhere near a river you might have really high levels of phosphorous occurring naturally in your soil. My own P levels are almost off the scale.

You really need to know where you stand if you are going to double up on your ferts.

I did not know that. $6 and on 278, think I'll get my soil tested. I've tested it for PH levels but nothing else.

Are you reading this in school?????

no! lol i just got home from youth group!

Ardesia: Here's a question that's been bothering me for some time. I've always avoided the "slow release" fertilizers (probably a "control freak problem"), but I went back to trying them again last year. My question: On the temp-control slow release products, what's their shelf life? I have a bag of 14-14-14 left over from last year, but it's gone through a whole year of temp. cycles. Has it lost all it's juice? Or should I continue to use it?

Diehrd, sorry, I had you mixed up with Corey who had posted mid-morning.

Stono, good question, our extension agent is riding with me to a meeting today, I'll ask about it.

I would like to know the answer to that as well.

No I'm not in school. LOL.

If they have stayed dry, then they are ok. If water has gotten into the bag, then the fert has started to release and the fert will not be as strong or last as many months as originally says on the bag.

Our extension agent said the same thing. As long as it is kept dry it should be fine. The temp control slow release products are designed to activate in soil, not in the package.

Brugmansia are junkies when it comes to food. I wouldn't use time release on them because of that. I rarely feed my brugs after June because I'm scared they will rip themselves out of the ground and hunt me down for more.

In the Spring (mine die back to the ground) I feed them that 1 tbs per gallon stuff every week when I start to see new growth. Once they are about 1 - 2 feet tall I feed them 1.5 tbs a week for a month or so. After that you can go as high at 2tbs per gallon.

They key is to water them well the night before and feed in the morning. Doing it this way insures good percolation and distribution. By feeding in the morning you get better uptake.

I just wish brugs looked as good in the day time as they do at 2 am in the morning.


X

Yeah...Slow release fertilizers. Melt in the ground, not in the bag...M&M's of the horticulture world:-)

LOL