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Tropical Fruit => Tropical Fruit Discussion => Topic started by: DJMadonia96 on October 16, 2017, 03:57:32 PM

Title: Best fruit tree fertilizer
Post by: DJMadonia96 on October 16, 2017, 03:57:32 PM

I have been wanting to use fertilizers on my fruit trees but am unsure what route to go. Can anyone recommend any brands or methods I can use for most fruit trees overall.

Title: Re: Best fruit tree fertilizer
Post by: cbss_daviefl on October 16, 2017, 04:12:38 PM

General guide fertilization in the image attached to this post:

http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=25484.msg298239#msg298239 (http://tropicalfruitforum.com/index.php?topic=25484.msg298239#msg298239)

Title: Re: Best fruit tree fertilizer
Post by: Lory on October 16, 2017, 09:47:52 PM

In my place soil is quite rich in phosphorus and depleted of all other mineral.
I have good success with a 20-5-30 with good magnesium and sulphur content, some boron  and chelated microelements (Zn, Cu, Fe, Mn Mo,)

Title: Re: Best fruit tree fertilizer
Post by: simon_grow on October 16, 2017, 10:11:33 PM

The fertilizer would depend on many factors including your starting soil composition, what stage of growth your trees are in(establishing, veg, fruiting), rainfall, and potted vs in ground. The pH of your soil and water should also be factored in for selecting a fertilizer.

To keep it simple for general plants Nutricote or Osmocote plus type fertilizers work well.

Simon

Title: Re: Best fruit tree fertilizer
Post by: Lory on October 17, 2017, 06:06:31 AM

Wise words Simon|

Title: Re: Best fruit tree fertilizer
Post by: BajaJohn on October 18, 2017, 06:45:01 PM

Probably any generic NPK fertilizer will do in the short term. Osmocote and Nutricote have the NPK and some micronutrients also but the best approach is to get your soil tested by a soil lab. There are loads of them in Florida. When I had my soil tested the lab made specific recommendations for my garden based on agricultural fertilisers rather than mass market mixes. They also indicated amounts per 1000 square feet which varied for the different locations I took samples from.
The products were:
Calcium ammonium nitrate  27% N, 6% Ca
Triple superphosphate  20% P, 17% Ca
Agricultural Gypsum  23% Ca, 19% S
Potassium sulphate. 40% K, 18% S
Chelated iron

They are easily available but are not treated in any way for slow release. As Simon suggests, it also depends on the stage your plants are in and what you want to accomplish. Nitrogen promotes leaf growth at a cost to fruit production. Phosphorus is important for flowering and thus fruit production. There are other important minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, sulphur so it is a good idea to get your soil tested and even modify your applications to the season.
Ultimately, mulch or compost are an important addition for soil fertility.