Another experiment in the works......

After reading on the MSN forum about using Chicken Fertilizer - and ESPECIALLY after talking to Ted Green - I am putting a small scoop of Chicken Manure on my pots outdoors. Teds plants all grow out in his garden hanging from fences, trees etc. - and he said they simply went crazy with new growth and blooms. So - I am going to do the same. This will mean I only have to water them and not schlepp a jug with fertilizer mixed in the water....and I don't trust the slow release stuff. I will use the Stutzman dried stuff - not fresh. CM is really very healthy for plants...and we would use it more if the dogs didn't run around eating all of it in the ground!!!!! They can't reach my pots!!!!

Has anyone else tried this on their outdoor hoyas?

Picture is old...but it is seedpods on a H. australis.

Christine Burton currently has a short little thread on chicken manure on her forum...she talks about using fresh though, and how it has to be "well fermented" and then heavily diluted with water or it will burn the plants.....but she seemed to think it was a great fertilizer...

Shelley

I read that too. Fresh WILL burn... I may try it as a tea on some.....

For the plants I hope :)

SR

I've been using chicken poop for the past 2 years thanks to David Liddle. I reallly believe that's what caused so many of my hoyas to bloom this year, and especially the carnosa. I used the aged chicken pellets, inside and in the greenhouse.

Blessings,
Awanda

Awanda, do the aged pellets have an odor?

Mark there is no odor at all!

Blessings,
Awanda

How often do you apply them, Awanda? Every 'how' often? Do you use anything else...for added calcium?



This message was edited Apr 30, 2008 9:46 AM

Do you mix the pellets in the soil, or do they dissolve in water?

Curious minds really want to know about this chicken poo fertilizer!

I do know that aged CM doesn't burn (I think it is the acid that burns in the fresh stuff) and is really really full of everything the plants need/want. It isn't very strong, maybe 4-3-3 or 3-4-3 or something like that....

I just finished repotting all of my hoyas and I mixed the chicken poop in with my potting mix. I don't measure, I just know when it's enough. After that I will add more in about 4 months, how much depends on the size of the pot. During the spring/summer months I'll fertilize ocassionally with Fish emulsion. Before they stopped making it, I was using "The Real Poop" organic chicken pellets, but I was able to buy up several bags before the stopped selling it. I mix the pellets in the soil and then water.

Blessings,
Awanda

We're lucky around here to have a guy who sells aged, organic pelleted chicken manure for $15 per 50 lb bag. Or $265/ton, which I'd do but wouldn't know where to put it. I use it on everything else but hadn't on the hoyas yet. Will do. You think it would be fine for the inside plants also?

Stella...see Awanda's first post....she uses it inside, too!!

Last fall, Big Lots had something called "chick a poo" on sale for 75% off. I've been tossing a scoop in my potting mix this spring, but, can't really say if it has helped. I believe it is 4-6-4.
I amend all my garden beds with cow manure. My favorite brand is "Moo Nure" The bag says Moo Nure is #1 in #2!
Awanda, you repotted all your Hoyas? I'm impressed! My poor plants are lucky to get a scoop of top dressing. What kind of soil mix are you using these days?
Mel

Yep Mel, it took me about 5 weeks to repot all of my hoyas; repotting almost everyday except Sunday. It was a chore and I had to order potting materials 2 times because I didn't order enough the first time. I'm usingbark, peat chunks, sponge rock, chicken poop, lava chips, and african violet organic mix. It works great for me.

Blessings,
Awanda

Sounds like a good mix Awanda, could you post a pic. of it??

I'll post a picture tomorrow, we just got home from Vegas:-).

Blessings,
Awanda

I made the mistake of using bat guano on my hoyas once...and it stunk up my whole flat! I think for those of us who live with our hoyas - i.e., don't have a greenhouse, chicken manure may be something to avoid. Carol, I've been using the MSN fertilizer after you and Mark endorsed it, and my plants seems to be responding...but then again, they're also growing into blooming size and I've learned more about their care.

Julia

3gardeners here's a pic of my potting mix.

Blessings,
Awanda

I like the look of that. Does it dry out fairly fast?

Thank you Awanda.

It doesn't dry out to quickly. I watered them on Sunday before leaving for Vegas and they weren't too dry when I checked them today.

Blessings,
Awanda

Our mixes look the same Awanda....I really like mine...