deal on osmocote

[Leo in N E Illinois]

Myself, I use water soluble fertilizer, gives me the best control.

 

[hinmo24t]

Osmocote release is temperature controlled, which can be a problem in hot summer areas. According to my recollection of a label, with daytime highs in the 70's F, or 18 to 20 C, it will take 3 months to release most of the fertilizer. At 80 F it takes 2 months, and at 90 F it takes one month. Roughly. So the obvious problem is, application rate needs to vary depending on expected temps. Our most common bonsai species grow faster the warmer the weather, up to a point. At about 95 F our common bonsai species begin to slow and go into a summer dormancy. This is when Osmocote is releasing most rapidly. This is when fertilizer burn can happen. If you use a coated fertilizer, apply it 3 months before peak summer heat, and re-apply after summer dormancy has ended. It is a difficult product to use if you have very hot summers.

Where I live, we rarely have weather over 90 F, it is easier to use here.

To get better control, mix Osmocote with your favorite cottonseed meal cake or other organic fertilizer and put them in the "tea bags". Then when hot weather threatens, you can remove all the fertilizer until weather is cooler. Tea bags also eliminate having empty shells in the potting mix.

noted. and i use 33.33r% compost in my soils so i am going to account for that as well. nice info on timing though, we do get some 90*+

 

[Arlithrien]

Thanks for this. This is my go-to as well. Super easy to use for my maples, I just add a "serving" right before leaf out and once more just before the 2nd flush. When I say a serving, i just wing-it because my understanding is its unlikely to burn your plants.

I believe this is what Bjorn uses too.

 

[vp999]

Would it be just as effective as I put them in baskets? can I use this on conifer also? Thanks

 

[Potawatomi13]

Myself, I use water soluble fertilizer, gives me the best control.

Words of wisdom. Why have unsightly crap on tree substrate when unneeded!.

 

[Wires_Guy_wires]

Would it be just as effective as I put them in baskets? can I use this on conifer also? Thanks

Since they release through osmosis, if they don't contact something damp or moist they don't release anything.

I'm not a huge fan of osmocote. I prefer organic because it's harder to over fertilize. Whenever I have a nursery pot that has patches of uncolonized soil, I find osmocote.
But when used on top of the soil and in low doses, I think it can be just as good as any other fertilizer.

 

[Shibui]

FWIW, Osmocote was blamed for some bonsai nursery problem waay back. The stuff "dumped" large amounts of fertilizer all at once because release is temperature/water activated. It got a bad rep back then. Don't know if that's still an issue, though. I don't use it because it's a "set and forget" fertilizer which doesn't care about a plant's current needs or conditions. It just does its thing. I 'd rather have a bit more control than that...

The key to this is 'WAAAY BACK'
Controlled release fert is up to 5th or 6th gen now. The manufacturers have ironed out most of the initial problems. Temp is no longer an issue even though some Luddites still quote it. I don't use Osmocote but only because they have been superseded by rivals offering a better product at a better price.
Controlled release fert is a great way to give potted trees a slow background level of nutrients. Use it in conjunction with regular liquid and/or organic fert for great results.
Manufacturer's recommendation is to drill controlled release prills into the soil. They will still work to some extent on the surface but release will depend on how long the prills are wet as release depends on osmosis.
Use above or below ground it is still hard to cause problems with newer formulations of any controlled release fert

 

[penumbra]

I have used hundreds of pounds of osmocote over several decades and have never had a bad experience with it. I use it mostly for trees growing on rather than trees in bonsai pots.
I personally don't care what people use or whether they think it ugly or whatever. More for me.
Thanks for the tip, I picked up a couple more bags.

 

[Katie0317]

I have used hundreds of pounds of osmocote over several decades and have never had a bad experience with it. I use it mostly for trees growing on rather than trees in bonsai pots.
I personally don't care what people use or whether they think it ugly or whatever. More for me.
Thanks for the tip, I picked up a couple more bags.

How much do you use on an a 6 x 4 pot for instance? Thanks, and btw a big bonsai nursery in Fl uses Osmocote in the 'winter' or cooler months and a liquid fertilizer when it gets hot. I forgot to ask about dosing though.

Thank you for the heads up on the Amazon price change.

Oddly Amazon will not deliver liquid fertilizer to Florida. Not sure why.

 

[penumbra]

How much do you use on an a 6 x 4 pot for instance?

I don't measure, I simply sprinkle it on the surface until it looks about right. I think this is based upon what I remember it looking like when I did follow instructions a number of years back. I am using this on plants I am growing on and seldom on plants in bonsai pots. The type of plant also dictates how much I use.
I say when in doubt, follow the directions. I know, right! Pretty radical for a guy.

 

[Alain BERTRAND]

How much do you use on an a 6 x 4 pot for instance?

It should be written on the bag. For the one I use, 8/9 months, they say 5-6 grams per liter of substrate for max fertilization.

 

[just.wing.it]

Thanks for the heads up.
Decided to get some and give it a try next year.
Never used this stuff before.

 

[just.wing.it]

Pretty radical for a guy.

Wait.....do mean biological male?

Hahaha!

Sorry, I'm sick, I know.

 

[Katie0317]

I don't measure, I simply sprinkle it on the surface until it looks about right. I think this is based upon what I remember it looking like when I did follow instructions a number of years back. I am using this on plants I am growing on and seldom on plants in bonsai pots. The type of plant also dictates how much I use.
I say when in doubt, follow the directions. I know, right! Pretty radical for a guy.

Good idea but the directions only give directions per gallon pot. Can't really work with that on small pots but I hear what you're saying about adding until it looks right. I grow plenty of plants but usually use Jack's and Nutricote, never Oscomote.

We go through a lot of Jacks, it's a great liquid fertilizer but pricey. We use Nutricote as a time released fertilizer on orchids but I was told not to use it on bonsai. I don't measure when I use it...I know when it looks right and with over 150 orchids don't have time to measure anyway. They're very tough creatures too. Same with roses. I just eyeball RoseTone fertilizer on them plus epsom salts and a few other supplements.

I've never used Oscomote though. A bonsai nursery said to use it in winter here on and use liquid in summer due to the heat and not to use Nutricote on them. So having not used Oscomote before I thought I'd ask how much to use.

 

[penumbra]

For the record, I have never had deleterious effects of using Osmocote in hot weather. Perhaps I would if I over applied it.

 

[Arlithrien]

There's talk of a crop fertilizer shortage around the corner. Not sure how this would be impacted but it might be worth stocking up on these now.

 

[hinmo24t]

There's talk of a crop fertilizer shortage around the corner. Not sure how this would be impacted but it might be worth stocking up on these now.

i believe it, and ironic timing per a convo here at the office (email)

 

[penumbra]

Bought my limit of 3 bags. Really would love to get another 3 but I can't.

For the record, I do use liquid fertilizer. And I try to be diligent, but often I am off schedule. Upon discussing this with a number of my plants, we decided Osmocote for growing on and the weekly to bi-weekly soluble feedings are a bonus. After all, I am fertilizing my bonsai at that time and I don't want to ostracize my bonsai in waiting.

 

[Carol 83]

Upon discussing this with a number of my plants, we decided Osmocote for growing on and the weekly to bi-weekly soluble feedings are a bonus. After all, I am fertilizing my bonsai at that time and I don't want to ostracize my bonsai in waiting.

Sounds like you're having a fun Friday evening.

 

[penumbra]

Sounds like you're having a fun Friday evening.

You are so very perceptive Carol.