Author Topic: Fertilizer for container trees  (Read 13278 times)

Bananaizme

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Fertilizer for container trees
« on: December 05, 2016, 08:38:51 AM »
    Hi group

 Ive been looking for a granule 7-5-4 fertilizer to use for my potted trees and have came up empty handed. I did find a citrus / avocado mix made by peaceful valley farms all derived from natural components . The formulation is 8-5-4- with a 3% calcium . My question is , would the calcium over time effect for instance my mangos ? Appreciate any feedback on this matter.

 William

PM239

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #1 on: December 05, 2016, 11:05:26 AM »
I have about 200 plants in pots, and just learning as I go, I guess...
What is it about the 7-5-4 ratio that you like?

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #2 on: December 05, 2016, 11:20:33 AM »
It depends on the source of the calcium. Calcium sulfate (gypsum) will not raise pH, but calcium carbonate (lime) will. I suspect that part of the calcium in your mix is from triple superphosphate, which might degrade to calcium carbonate?

Mangoes do need calcium, so it is a good idea to provide them with calcium. But you have to be sure to keep the pH neutral or below.

Fortunately, pH is extremely easy to correct with sulfur. It's not a bad idea to sprinkle a few sulfur pellets on your potted mangoes once every year, especially if you're irrigating with city or well water, which would contain calcium carbonate.

    Hi group

 Ive been looking for a granule 7-5-4 fertilizer to use for my potted trees and have came up empty handed. I did find a citrus / avocado mix made by peaceful valley farms all derived from natural components . The formulation is 8-5-4- with a 3% calcium . My question is , would the calcium over time effect for instance my mangos ? Appreciate any feedback on this matter.

 William
Jeff  :-)

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #3 on: December 05, 2016, 11:22:22 AM »
I have about 200 plants in pots, and just learning as I go, I guess...
What is it about the 7-5-4 ratio that you like?

For your potted trees, I would use an application lighter than recommended for in ground trees of Excalibur's 8-3-9.
- Rob

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2016, 02:40:35 PM »
Hi William,

N-P-K & calcium is not the only thing you have to feed to your pot plants.
I'm using an ORGANIC (you grow food, do you ?) full spectrum (hydroponic) fertiliser for all my pot plants.
I'm using it since many years and can really recommend it.
It is very economical. You need only very little. 0.5 l last years for me.
General Hydroponics Bio Sevia Grow & General Hydroponics Bio Sevia Bloom.
This shop http://www.servovendi.com/uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=bio+sevia has a good price and ships world wide.
For the extra calcium, I would add fine grounded volcanic rock such as ROK SOLID. It contains over 60 minerals and trace elements.
http://www.agrissentials.com/fertiliser-products/solid-products/rok-solid (they list only some of them, the product package list all)

Andy
« Last Edit: December 05, 2016, 02:54:47 PM by AndyNZ »

FruitFreak

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2016, 03:11:16 PM »
Jeff recommended osmocote plus 15-9-12 slow release from Everris and I can say it's the best fertilizer I've ever seen or used.  Thorough minor package and saves a lot of time.  its obvious by the packaging and polymer granules there is a lot of tech behind the product.  The light color makes it easy to distinguish the breakdown.  Plants like it too.
« Last Edit: December 05, 2016, 03:14:03 PM by FruitFreak »
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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2016, 07:29:08 PM »
I have about 200 plants in pots, and just learning as I go, I guess...
What is it about the 7-5-4 ratio that you like?

For your potted trees, I would use an application lighter than recommended for in ground trees of Excalibur's 8-3-9.

Ok, I will grab some, I have 10-10-10 and 6-2-12 (from Going Bananas) right now.

Bananaizme

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #7 on: December 06, 2016, 08:35:02 AM »
    I do have quite a bit of the osmocote plus fertilizer ,  I also foliar feed at least once a month. All of the plants are very healthy , dark green leaves. Maybe I'm just overthinking this and making it to complicated . I took another look at the citrus / avocado mix but it was not specific about what the calcium was derived from. Rob , this 8-3-9 fertilizer , is this something that can be shipped ? I would want a 50 lb bag .

 William

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #8 on: December 06, 2016, 11:22:25 AM »
8-3-9 is meant for in-ground trees and is a quick-release formulation for florida soils. You would be best sticking to osmocote / slow-release for container trees. For one, the slow-release has almost zero chance of burn, and secondly you only need to apply once or twice a year.

    I do have quite a bit of the osmocote plus fertilizer ,  I also foliar feed at least once a month. All of the plants are very healthy , dark green leaves. Maybe I'm just overthinking this and making it to complicated . I took another look at the citrus / avocado mix but it was not specific about what the calcium was derived from. Rob , this 8-3-9 fertilizer , is this something that can be shipped ? I would want a 50 lb bag .

 William
Jeff  :-)

Bananaizme

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #9 on: December 06, 2016, 01:18:11 PM »
    Jeff

 Is the osmocote ok to use on potted lychees ?  Up to this time I have only used a Dr Earth product on them for fear of burning them.

 William

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #10 on: December 06, 2016, 02:01:40 PM »
I've used osmocote on dozens of lychees, even brand new lychee air layers plucked directly from the tree, and I've never seen an issue with burn. The key is that the release of nutrients is slow enough that it won't burn.

If you don't have a fertigation system, osmocote is the next best thing.
Jeff  :-)

Bananaizme

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2016, 08:31:58 AM »
    Jeff

 Thats reassuring about the osmocote for the lychees. I do have quite a bit of this product so will begin fertilizing when the spring weather rolls around. My Edward mango has a lot of new growth at the tips . Not sure if this is flower buds or vegatative growth just yet.It started pushing about a month ago. What would you suggest I do about fertilizing this particular tree ?

 William

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2016, 09:05:56 AM »
Calcium and magnesium work together.  Neither one works very well without the presence of the other.  So it can depend on the soil you are starting with.
So if you have a calcium deficiency, the solution may not be more calcium.

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #13 on: December 08, 2016, 09:32:11 PM »
Jeff recommended osmocote plus 15-9-12 slow release from Everris and I can say it's the best fertilizer I've ever seen or used.  Thorough minor package and saves a lot of time.  its obvious by the packaging and polymer granules there is a lot of tech behind the product.  The light color makes it easy to distinguish the breakdown.  Plants like it too.

I can vouch for that ! I've seen Marleys trees before & after the new fertilizer and the change was Amazing !
Zone 10

Mark in Texas

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #14 on: December 09, 2016, 10:22:40 AM »
Polyon 12 mo. slow release with the secondarys like Ca and Mg AND micros.  Good mix of nitrate to ammonical N too.   Used it on thousands of newly planted field and potted/in the ground tropical greenhouse fruit trees.  Makes 'em grow like weeds.  Similiar to Osmocote but unlike Os it releases its nutrients with higher temps, not just moisture. You Florida guys probably have a Harrell distributor near you.


« Last Edit: December 09, 2016, 10:37:05 AM by Mark in Texas »

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #15 on: December 09, 2016, 10:54:38 AM »
Looks like a nice mix. Yah, we have Harrells here.

Polyon 12 mo. slow release with the secondarys like Ca and Mg AND micros.  Good mix of nitrate to ammonical N too.   Used it on thousands of newly planted field and potted/in the ground tropical greenhouse fruit trees.  Makes 'em grow like weeds.  Similiar to Osmocote but unlike Os it releases its nutrients with higher temps, not just moisture. You Florida guys probably have a Harrell distributor near you.


Jeff  :-)

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #16 on: December 09, 2016, 11:01:21 AM »
Polyon 12 mo. slow release with the secondarys like Ca and Mg AND micros.  Good mix of nitrate to ammonical N too.   Used it on thousands of newly planted field and potted/in the ground tropical greenhouse fruit trees.  Makes 'em grow like weeds.  Similiar to Osmocote but unlike Os it releases its nutrients with higher temps, not just moisture. You Florida guys probably have a Harrell distributor near you.



Hi Mark - Isn't this blend a little light on K?  Some of the tropical fruit tree nurseries around here use Harrells products.
- Marley

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #17 on: December 09, 2016, 12:26:35 PM »
I've  been using osmocote for 2 decades+ on all kinds of plants (potted and in-ground) and have never had any noticeable problems related to it. Everything seems to love it.

Mark in Texas

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #18 on: December 09, 2016, 01:01:21 PM »
Looks like a nice mix. Yah, we have Harrells here.

Polyon 12 mo. slow release with the secondarys like Ca and Mg AND micros.  Good mix of nitrate to ammonical N too.   Used it on thousands of newly planted field and potted/in the ground tropical greenhouse fruit trees.  Makes 'em grow like weeds.  Similiar to Osmocote but unlike Os it releases its nutrients with higher temps, not just moisture. You Florida guys probably have a Harrell distributor near you.



Special mix sold by Estes. You can get any mix you want.  I helped plant 12,000 grapevines up the road.  Owner brought in a pallet of 50# bags of the same NPK.  We dropped a small handful around each young "benchgraft" at the time of planting.  Did the same thing to my vineyard.  I have 8 yr. old vines that have 6" trunks.  Were pencil size.  All my potted plants get this stuff which is the bluish/green/white pellets you see in some soil mixes.  Won't burn, in fact I just toss some here and there and don't worry about the amount.
« Last Edit: December 09, 2016, 01:10:31 PM by Mark in Texas »

Mark in Texas

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #19 on: December 09, 2016, 01:08:47 PM »
Polyon 12 mo. slow release with the secondarys like Ca and Mg AND micros.  Good mix of nitrate to ammonical N too.   Used it on thousands of newly planted field and potted/in the ground tropical greenhouse fruit trees.  Makes 'em grow like weeds.  Similiar to Osmocote but unlike Os it releases its nutrients with higher temps, not just moisture. You Florida guys probably have a Harrell distributor near you.



Hi Mark - Isn't this blend a little light on K?  Some of the tropical fruit tree nurseries around here use Harrells products.

Maybe.  Learn to read your plants.  I'm a nitrogen freak and have the fruit production to prove it.  For instance, leaf tissue analysis of citrus reflects they prefer and accumulate a 5-1-3 NPK.  Mango is said to hate high N and prefer high K foods.  Glad my mangos can't read.  ;)







Check out the pH of my key lime juice.



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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #20 on: December 09, 2016, 01:32:20 PM »
Polyon 12 mo. slow release with the secondarys like Ca and Mg AND micros.  Good mix of nitrate to ammonical N too.   Used it on thousands of newly planted field and potted/in the ground tropical greenhouse fruit trees.  Makes 'em grow like weeds.  Similiar to Osmocote but unlike Os it releases its nutrients with higher temps, not just moisture. You Florida guys probably have a Harrell distributor near you.



Hi Mark - Isn't this blend a little light on K?  Some of the tropical fruit tree nurseries around here use Harrells products.

Maybe.  Learn to read your plants.  I'm a nitrogen freak and have the fruit production to prove it.  For instance, leaf tissue analysis of citrus reflects they prefer and accumulate a 5-1-3 NPK.  Mango is said to hate high N and prefer high K foods.  Glad my mangos can't read.  ;)







Check out the pH of my key lime juice.



Funny how so many folks (excluding forum members) would think the green lime in the middle is the key lime due to green
food coloring in the pies.
Michael

FruitFreak

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #21 on: December 09, 2016, 02:09:49 PM »
Polyon 12 mo. slow release with the secondarys like Ca and Mg AND micros.  Good mix of nitrate to ammonical N too.   Used it on thousands of newly planted field and potted/in the ground tropical greenhouse fruit trees.  Makes 'em grow like weeds.  Similiar to Osmocote but unlike Os it releases its nutrients with higher temps, not just moisture. You Florida guys probably have a Harrell distributor near you.



Hi Mark - Isn't this blend a little light on K?  Some of the tropical fruit tree nurseries around here use Harrells products.

Maybe.  Learn to read your plants.  I'm a nitrogen freak and have the fruit production to prove it.  For instance, leaf tissue analysis of citrus reflects they prefer and accumulate a 5-1-3 NPK.  Mango is said to hate high N and prefer high K foods.  Glad my mangos can't read.  ;)







Check out the pH of my key lime juice.



Yep, I've been getting a better feel for doing just that.  Obviously different soils/mixes require different NPK too.  Man I love your porn pics.
- Marley

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #22 on: December 09, 2016, 02:51:37 PM »
If you give your mangoes N, just make sure to give them plenty of calcium.
Jeff  :-)

Bananaizme

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #23 on: April 20, 2017, 10:22:24 PM »
I've used osmocote on dozens of lychees, even brand new lychee air layers plucked directly from the tree, and I've never seen an issue with burn. The key is that the release of nutrients is slow enough that it won't burn.

If you don't have a fertigation system, osmocote is the next best thing.

  Jeff

Is it ok to fertilize my potted lychees with osmocote even though they are blooming ?

 William


Mark in Texas

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Re: Fertilizer for container trees
« Reply #24 on: April 21, 2017, 08:48:44 AM »
I've used osmocote on dozens of lychees, even brand new lychee air layers plucked directly from the tree, and I've never seen an issue with burn. The key is that the release of nutrients is slow enough that it won't burn.

If you don't have a fertigation system, osmocote is the next best thing.

  Jeff

Is it ok to fertilize my potted lychees with osmocote even though they are blooming ?

 William

Curious, why would you think any fruiting tree would not require nutrition during blooming?  Plants or trees need a constant supply of nutritional salts and water.  Having said that just got this in since I can't find my trusty Polyon.   A NPK ratio you're looking for and a complete micros package. 15-9-12 NPK.  8# pack is a pretty good value.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GTDGMHC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
« Last Edit: April 21, 2017, 08:51:15 AM by Mark in Texas »