Triple Oaks Nursery User Forum: Re: Fertilizer Choices

Philadelphia Area Nursery - Triple Oaks Nursery

Re: Fertilizer Choices

Posted by Jim, Wilmington, DE, 7a on April 8, 2009, 11:08:34, in reply to " Fertilizer Choices"

Jim,

There are many schools of thought on fertilizers and when/how much to fertilize.

Joe K. believes in early, light fertilizing (or not even feeding at all). And for all I know, his way might be best.

At the other end of the spectrum, there is Steve in Woodboro (?) who believes very much in "pushing" his palms with heavy feeding most of the growing season.

Both gentlemen report good results with these vastly different methods.

A "middle-of-the-road" approach that has gained pretty wide acceptance is to feed in April or May, and then again in July. A fall feeding of Magnesium or Potash might be helpful, but no nitrogen after August 1. This is the schedule I follow. I use plain old Miracid (30-10-10).

Carl Pool Palm Food is all the rage among "serious" palm growers, but I, personally, am adverse to "sprinkle" fertilizers -- prefering instead the water soluables (like Miracle Gro). I always fear the sprinkle-on-the-ground ferts are susceptible to washing away in a storm, particularly so on heavy clay like mine. With a water-in fert, I know just what I'm delivering to my plants and in what concentration.

Other than that, fertilizers are probably a luxury more than a necessity for the cold-tolerant palms. Sabal Minor and R. Hystrix grow in-habitat in soils not unlike those found in South Jersey. And the ones in the wild do just fine without any additional nutrients. So, in that respect, Joe might be onto something.

Message Thread:

Fertilizer Choices - Jim K in Philly April 8, 2009, 8:25:42
- Re: Fertilizer Choices - Joe K April 8, 2009, 9:38:06
  - Re: Fertilizer Choices - Jim K in Philly April 8, 2009, 12:30:45
- Re: Fertilizer Choices - Jim, Wilmington, DE, 7a April 8, 2009, 11:08:34
  - Re: Fertilizer Choices - Jim K in Philly April 8, 2009, 12:35:17
    - Re: Fertilizer Choices - Terry 6b/7a NJ April 10, 2009, 4:04:58
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