The Tropical Fruit Forum
Citrus => Citrus General Discussion => Topic started by: brian on May 22, 2014, 02:14:33 PM
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I've increased the number of trees I have in containers and now I am getting sick of mixing buckets of water-soluble fertilizer to fertilize them all. Is it possible to use time-release Osmocote as the sole fertilizer, foliar spraying only, or Osmocote plus a foliar spray? Foliar spraying is far easier to do on a large scale than mixing buckets for me because of the tiny amount required. And I can mix osmocote into the potting mix or add it on top later.
I have Jack's Professional 25-5-15 - thanks to whoever posted that coupon code on the CGF. Is this usable as a foliar spray? The instructions don't mention this. It contains 0.12% iron, and I know iron is not recommended for foliar spraying.
I also have Osmocote Plus (with micronutrients) 15-9-12, which doesn't have the right NPK ratio for citrus. I would have to add extra and deal with too much potassium and phosphorous. How big a deal is this? I repot yearly, and when outside all trees get rained on regularly. When i water manually I usually give around a gallon to each tree.
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Just because 25-5-15 is the perfect formula as it is a 5-1-3 ratio, that certainly does not mean the other formulas are bad. Osmocote Plus (with micronutrients) 15-9-12 would work well as a slow release fertilizer. Using a fertilizer as a foliar spray is normally used at 10% of the application rate shown on the bag. I make up 55-gallons of fertilizer solution in a plastic drum at a time so that I don't have to make many small solution of fertilizer for each tree. - Millet
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Thanks, Millet.
So is it safe to use Jack's HPF as a foliar fertilizer on citrus, at the low concentration?
I need to get a 55gal rain barrel anyway, my 5gal buckets are not sufficient anymore. I was corcerned that leaving fertilizer mixed with water might cause it to degrade too quickly but it sounds like that is not the case.
I am thinking I will use osmocote during spring repotting hwn trees get rained on outdoors, and move to rain-barrel water with liquid fert in the greenhouse in the winter, as I have very hard water.
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brian, when you make 55-gallon of a fertilizer solution, just e sure to keep the drum's lid on the drum when not in use. - Millet