August
Chumono
Is... Is this a dig?
Dan Robinson's thoughts on bonsai
- Thread starter Joe Dupre'
- Start date
Kievnstavick
Chumono
Dan doesn't use akadama in his pots. I forget his reasoning but it probably aligns to his philosophy of "repotting is the enemy."
I think I heard this on the Asymmetry podcast, but another aspect of over-fertilization is that you are giving the tree more nutrients then it needs. Compare that line of thinking to what happens to the human body when they intake too much nutrients. This was my key take away and has me thinking about the process overall. The source I heard it from goes more in depth on the potential negatives of over-fertilization. Just some food for thought to get the gears turning.
I am still heavily feeding my trees mind you, as I'd rather they have excess then have a deficiency.
As for miracle-gro, depending on the type of fertilizer I believe they have some trace elements. I am fairly certain they are missing Iron as I recently had to track down a fertilizer that supplied iron since my plants became iron deficient with my current fertilizer regimine. After-thought: Their trees and shrubs fertilizer has Iron in it.
I am currently using Osmocote pellets and a liquid fertilizer every other time I water. I have recently purchased a new liquid fertilizer from TPS to try out on my plants. It will supply iron and magnesium for the most part to help with my current deficiency.
I think I heard this on the Asymmetry podcast, but another aspect of over-fertilization is that you are giving the tree more nutrients then it needs. Compare that line of thinking to what happens to the human body when they intake too much nutrients. This was my key take away and has me thinking about the process overall. The source I heard it from goes more in depth on the potential negatives of over-fertilization. Just some food for thought to get the gears turning.
I am still heavily feeding my trees mind you, as I'd rather they have excess then have a deficiency.
As for miracle-gro, depending on the type of fertilizer I believe they have some trace elements. I am fairly certain they are missing Iron as I recently had to track down a fertilizer that supplied iron since my plants became iron deficient with my current fertilizer regimine. After-thought: Their trees and shrubs fertilizer has Iron in it.
I am currently using Osmocote pellets and a liquid fertilizer every other time I water. I have recently purchased a new liquid fertilizer from TPS to try out on my plants. It will supply iron and magnesium for the most part to help with my current deficiency.
BrianBay9
Masterpiece
I have two issues that have guided my fertilization.
1. Urea based ferts like Miracle Gro need to be broken down to ammonia and nitrates by microbial action before the plant benefits. I prefer to use ammonia based (orchid ferts?) since we water so often the urea won't hang around that long.
2. I measured the resident time of ferts in my pots with inorganic soils. Fertilize, then water every day without additional ferts. After about a week to ten days, no more nitrogen (amines) can be detected coming out the bottom. So, I fertilize once a week, or use slow release pellets so the trees always have some nitrogen.
1. Urea based ferts like Miracle Gro need to be broken down to ammonia and nitrates by microbial action before the plant benefits. I prefer to use ammonia based (orchid ferts?) since we water so often the urea won't hang around that long.
2. I measured the resident time of ferts in my pots with inorganic soils. Fertilize, then water every day without additional ferts. After about a week to ten days, no more nitrogen (amines) can be detected coming out the bottom. So, I fertilize once a week, or use slow release pellets so the trees always have some nitrogen.
What are the tell-tale signs one is overfertilizing?
I've been using Bonsai Pro with every watering on my Vachelia Caven seedlings. Lately, I'll water the trees first to wash out some of the last application and then water with the fertilizer. No urea, and it contains trace nutrients. I changed the light schedule to 16 hours light and now have been watering almost every day as is gets nice and hot/sunny in the grow tent.
I see no negative signs. Trees are a nice deep green and growing like crazy. Germinated on 1/8/23 and the tallest is about 2 feet this morning. I repotted the seedlings into larger containers and they are already growing roots out of the bottom. This is one aggressive tree or Bonsai Pro is magic.
I've been using Bonsai Pro with every watering on my Vachelia Caven seedlings. Lately, I'll water the trees first to wash out some of the last application and then water with the fertilizer. No urea, and it contains trace nutrients. I changed the light schedule to 16 hours light and now have been watering almost every day as is gets nice and hot/sunny in the grow tent.
I see no negative signs. Trees are a nice deep green and growing like crazy. Germinated on 1/8/23 and the tallest is about 2 feet this morning. I repotted the seedlings into larger containers and they are already growing roots out of the bottom. This is one aggressive tree or Bonsai Pro is magic.
Tieball
Masterpiece
An excellent way to review, refresh and reinvent a bonsai tree image.
Tidal Bonsai
Omono
eugenev2
Shohin
Possibly both. The vachellia karroo variant has such aggressive roots that in the karroo they have to cut down the trees when they get to a certain height as they start affecting the water level of the ground water which all the farmers depend on there.
Good luck with the thorns tho...those get nasty
AlexJordan
Seedling
- Messages
- 6
- Reaction score
- 3
It's always interesting to learn about different bonsai techniques and philosophies from experienced practitioners like Dan Robinson. His simple soil mix and approach to repotting may work well for certain species or growing conditions. As for the use of Miracle Gro, while it may provide adequate nitrogen, it's important to also consider the other macro and micronutrients that a tree needs. It's possible that a more balanced fertilizer or organic options may be better in the long term for the health and longevity of a bonsai tree. But ultimately, every bonsai artist has their own approach and what works best for them and their trees.
Similar threads
