miracle gro or other fertilizers, are they really good?

I always assumed that those fertilizers are just companies who are just trying to make some extra money by selling something that are not necessary. After all, compost is not that hard to make. And aren't they basically the same?

What do you think?

I use Bloom Buster or Super Bloom (10-50-10) on my potted annuals. It keeps them going like crazy. I don't buy fertilizer for my perennials. I just use horse manure.

They do work, it's really a matter of personal preference whether you choose to use more natural, organic fertilizers like fish emulsion, blood/bone meal, etc or whether you use synthetic ones like Miracle Gro. The trouble with the synthetic fertilizers is often they have higher levels of the nutrients than what the plant can use right away so you end up wasting some, vs the organic fertilizers tend to have lower levels of the nutrients and release them more slowly. But in terms of getting your plants to grow, bloom, etc they can all work, it's just a matter of figuring out which kind works best for you.

organic fertilizer can be lower in nutrient value then generic ones you buy like osmocote. Those types of fertilizer have nutrients that are readliy avalible for the plant but fizzle out quicker than organic tyopes. Now, one the other hand organic fertilizers like bone mael and such have to be broken down by theplant before it can use them. So, inorganic types can be readliy availbe and organic has to have time tobe avalible. So, it just depends on what you want to use. I buy no name brand fertilizers because it's all in the chemical make up like generic drugs versus name brand. Look at the active ingredients and decide what is best for you. Wow, is your head spinning mine is?

sorry my computer is having a seizure. Sorry for the messages sent 3 times.

That's the way we used to learn our times table when I was at school Kitten, say it out loud 3 times that way you remembered them ha, ha, ha. WeeNel.

I use Miracle Grow on my container plants and general 10-10-10 fertilizer on inground plants. They've done great this year. we did use all organic fertlizer,when my
DH was alive. and it did well too. So guess each is ok.
Vickie

Plants don't know the difference between designer brands and generics. Scott's came up with a great name, Miracle Gro, for their fertilizer. Good marketing technique. But all fertilizer mfg. are required to put the analysis of their product on the package label. For turf and landscape plants, it's important to know the pH level of your soil when choosing a fertilizer for plants (and grass) in the ground. I happen to live in an area where phosphorus and potassium are in abundant supply, so we are advised to use an all nitrogen fertilizer with at least 50% of that in slow-release form. That would be 20-0-0 or something similar. It's very important to have part of the nitrogen in slow-release form. ~ For container plants, the situation is different. They are dependent on the caregiver for both nutrients and water. So, a fertilizer containing the three essential elements is needed. A 3-1-2 or 4-1-2 analysis is suitable for 90%+ of container plants.
It's unnecessary to have a rose food, azalea food, hydrangea food, etc. Here again, we're looking at marketing and not horticultural science.

Marketing, indeed.

In defense of those doing the "marketing", I'm sure they do it because the average consumer of these products isn't schooled in chemistry, so people will choose a fertilizer based on the specific plants the pkging. says they're for...which I suppose, is harmless.

I think people run into trouble in the application of these fertilizers...and tend to use more than is recommended on the instructions...the results of which can be disastrous.

Same thing goes for pesticides.

People can run into trouble when they don't take prescription medicines according to the instructions, also, but I'd hate to live in a world where there weren't antibiotics, antihypertensives, monoclonal antibodies, etc.

I agree with you. There is always too much of a good thing and again not enough of a good thing. The amt of fertilizer for containers is less than what you'd use in a garden. Thats why i like to use Miricle Grow. It's easier for me to measure.

As for medicine, it seems to me that people tend to over medicate themselves as much as under medicate themselves. Don't know which is worse.
Vickie

Measuring miracle grow doesn't come easy to me. I have the applicator that goes on the hose but I guess I'm really dumb because I get the hose running and then I wonder how long I should hold it on each plant. I count to 5 and then move to the next plant. I have NO idea if that is too much or not enough. I fertilize every two weeks; some plants look really happy and others don't seem to do much. It is a lot of work and I wonder if I wouldn't be better off using the slow release grandular fertilizer in the spring.

Since Miracle Gro is a liquid, and is taken up quickly by the plant, if you just apply it as if you're giving your plant(s) a good watering, that should be sufficient without fear of over- application.

Whatever the plants don't absorb will be taken up by the soil. There are no worries about it lingering and "burning" and evaporation will also help in the dissipation of any excess...as opposed to putting too much granular fertilizer.

The dosage/dilution recommended on the MG box pretty much safeguards you against any burning.

I've doubled the amount used per gallon for heavy feeders like fuchsias and roses and have never had a problem, but it's still safest to use the recommended amount.

Kays, I'm the simple one.LOL! i use a watering can to fertilize my flowers and measure out with the spoon that comes with Miracle Grow. Probably would'nt do so good with hose and the measuring gizmo.
Vickie

Vickie I used to go the watering can route but I have way too many flowers to do that now. It works great with the hose.

Great kays, Don't plan to get that many flowers. But i'm sure you know how that goes. LOL
I'm through with the Miracle Grow for the year. Well i want to get a few mums. Will have to give them some once.
Vickie

Where do most of you purchase your fertilizers (especially you dp72)? I'm looking to start buying off-brand fertilizers that will give me the same nutrient mix as the MG (usually purchased at Lowes/Home Depot for top dollar, I'm sure). I'm mainly talking about water soluble fertilizers, but would be curious about both those and bedding fertilizers. I've thought about trying to find an online retailer, but would need to find one that offered a discount large enough to outweigh the shipping charges.

jenepat, do you have the black clay alkaline soil that most of Central and West Texas have? I can better advise you if you do. I am a Master Gardener and just finished classes in soils and fertilizers. I'm in Waco- black gumbo alkaline clay soil. Please let me know if you are talking about turf or bedding or container plants, too.

James

Hi James - unfortunately, I don't know much about different types of soil. Ours isn't too clay-like, but it's definitely not sandy either. I'm mainly talking about bedding and container plants, but would be curious about a good fertilizer for st. augustine grass too (our turf). I'm such a newbie, that I don't know much that could help you.

But I'm mainly just looking for a cheaper version of water soluble fertilizer as right now I'm only using MG Bloom Booster (the kind you measure out & mix in a watering can). I keep intending to buy an all-purpose fertilizer for the ones I don't think need "bloom boosting", but want to be cost-effective about it, so I haven't made a purchase yet.

Thanks for any help you can offer!
Jennifer

Jennifer, I have some useful information for you, but I am swamped with other things to do the rest of the day. Will reply tomorrow.

James

Sounds good - thanks so much James!